Time and Unforeseen Occurrence -Date With a Super Star continued.

 

The man was unconscious for 18 hours when he finally began to come out of the coma.  There were so many questions that needed answers but the man was unable to tell the hospital staff who his relatives were.  They weren’t even sure who he was because he didn’t seem to have any identification on him.  The authorities weren’t certain but it appeared that he may have been jumped from behind and his assailant grabbed his wallet and took off.

 

As the man began to regain consciousness he was unsure of his surroundings and tried to ask the nurse attending him but the most he could do was open his mouth to form words.  No sounds would come out and she didn’t even realize his eyes were open yet until he made a movement with his hand that caught her attention.  She almost jumped when his hand brushed hers and for the first time looked into his agitated brown eyes.  They looked so pathetic, almost pleading with her to hear his words, that she actually tried to make out what he was saying when her senses came back to her and she ran out of the room to call the Dr. on staff.

 

“How long has he been conscious?”

 

“I’m not sure.  I didn’t even realize his eyes had opened until he moved his hand a little and brushed against mine.  It startled me so and I realized he was trying to tell me something.  That was when I called you.”

 

“His hand moved?  That isn’t possible!”  He said no more in front of the man but took the nurse out in the hallway to question her again.  Did his hand really move?  The man’s neck was nearly broken.  How was it possible that he could move?  Perhaps his injuries weren’t as severe as they thought at first.

 

“I don’t know how it is possible but I swear I didn’t move my hand at all.  I had my hand on the bed frame and it was perfectly still when his hand moved and touched mine.  Perhaps it was an involuntary nerve reaction.  Isn’t it possible?”

 

The Dr. did not answer her but he looked back at the man in the hospital bed and just shook his head.  He had been impressed with the man’s size and stature and suspected that he had extraordinary strength in his limbs and back so that could somehow make it possible for him to move his hand.  Maybe the man just had such a strong will that he . . . the Dr. shook his head and told himself, “no it wasn’t possible.”  He said no more to the nurse but went back to the man and began a battery of tests to determine what kind of brain activity he could find.

 

“So you have rejoined us.  You were in a coma for approximately 18 hours.  You will not be able to speak for another 24 hours until we are able to remove the tube in your throat.  Then you will be able to tell us what happened.  Another problem we have is that you had no identification on you when you were brought in.  We don’t even know your name but we will have to wait until the tube comes out.  I am very sorry and I am sure you’re frustrated but in a short time you will be able to tell us all.”

 

As the Dr. was walking away from the bedside he suddenly remembered something.  He turned back to the man and told him that under no uncertain terms was he to try to move or get out of the bed because his body needed time to recuperate and if he moved he would hinder the healing process.  So he must remain as still as possible.  He would be given a sedative that would make it easier to do as he was told so he should not worry that he would cause himself any harm.  With that, the Dr. left the room and whispered some instructions to the nurse who left for a few moments and then returned with a syringe.  That was the last thing the man remembered for the entire day.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The next couple of days seemed to run one into the other and the man could not tell when one began and when one ended.  He was relieved when the tube came out of this throat but he was alarmed to discover that a tracheotomy had been performed on him.  He would have a wicked scar now but when he had a little time to think about it, he decided he could hide it with his beard.  Not that he wore a beard that long but if he didn’t shave often it wouldn’t be as noticeable.  The main thing to do now was to try and talk so he could let the Dr. know he had a family that would be worried about him and a job that he needed to get back to.

 

Words came very slow because he had to learn to breathe right so the words would come out properly.  His voice sounded so horrid that he was ashamed to talk but this was too important so he worked at it for hours and with a great degree of difficulty he was finally able to reveal his identity.  By this time he had surmised that he could not move and yet he convinced himself that it was only temporary.  He had overheard the nurse talking to the Dr. about therapy so he felt sure that in a short time he would be good as new again.

 

When the office manager at the hospital tried to reach the man’s family there was never any answer.  It was frustrating not being able to reach them and to have to explain that to the man.  She was sure that he would want/need some family there to give him some encouragement but for the moment, the hospital staff was the only family he had.  Well she needed to give him the bad news so she had better not delay any further.  She went to his room for the first time and was struck by what she saw.

 

“When can I have visitors?”  The man was able to get this out with some difficulty.  The breathing was still a problem for him but he had ceased to worry about the squeaky sound his voice made.  The most important thing to do was to communicate with this woman.  He waited with much anticipation but he began to have doubts when he saw her countenance fall.

 

“I’m not exactly sure when you will have visitors because I haven’t been able to contact anyone at your residence.  I will of course keep trying but perhaps your family is out looking for you because you have been here for 3 days before being able to tell us your name and telephone number.  Are you sure you remembered your number correctly?  Perhaps you were confused and it was a number you had previously that has been reassigned to someone else.”

 

The man said that wasn’t possible.  He knew his number and his family was not supposed to be gone.  Then he paused for a moment.   Was it possible that his former wife had picked up the children and had taken them to her home until they found out what happened to him?  He tried to remember his ex-wife’s number but it wouldn’t come to him just then.  He told the woman his ex-wife’s name and asked her to try and contact her.  He wasn’t sure whether or not her phone number would be listed but they had to try.  The office manager was relieved to have this new bit of information and reassured him she would try her hardest to contact his ex-wife as soon as possible.

 

As the woman was walking away she had another thought.  She turned back to him and asked if there were anyone else they might try to contact in case his ex-wife was not at home and the children answered the phone.  It wasn’t the sort of message she would want to hand over to youngsters.

 

He thought a moment and agreed it might not be the best thing to do so he then came up with the name of his best friend but he might be on the road and it was possible he wouldn’t get his messages right away.  Then he got an inspiration!  He knew another name and number that he had committed to memory.  She was someone he called when he felt the urge to fall back on old habits because he knew if he were to have a real chance with her, he couldn’t go back to his old ways.

 

The name and number he gave the office manager was Julianne Peterson in Madison, WI.  He asked the woman to break the news to her gently because even though they were not officially involved, he felt they were heading in that direction.  So with this information in hand the woman went back to her office and tried to contact someone who could come and be with him.

 

The man was happy that he had thought of Julianne and hoped with all his might that she would be the one contacted.  With this going through his mind he relaxed some, thinking of their last conversation and how sweet she had been to him.  Soon after he drifted off to sleep.

 

That phone kept ringing and Julianne almost tripped over her little dog trying to get to it before it quit.  She was dripping wet and told herself normally she would have just let the machine pick up but each time the phone rang 4 times her message would come on but the caller wouldn’t leave a message.  For this reason she felt it must be fairly important so she gave up on the shower and ran to the phone.  When she saw that the area code was a Florida one her heart leapt but she didn’t recognize the number.  Maybe he was calling from a friend’s house or a pay phone.

 

            She picked up the receiver and heard a strange woman’s voice ask if she was Julianne Peterson.  The question wasn’t a strange one but she suddenly felt sick to her stomach.  Why was she getting a call from a woman in Florida that she didn’t know?  Julianne had to sit down just then from the tremor that went through her.  Something was terribly wrong.

 

            “Yes this is Julianne,” she said almost in a whisper, barely breathing, her heart pounding in her ears.

 

            “Ms. Peterson, this is the office manager of the Mercy Hospital in Miami.  I was given your name and number by one of our patients, Scott Hall.  I have been trying to reach his family and have not been able to and he gave me your name and phone number.  I do hope this isn’t coming as a shock to you.  We are just trying to contact someone who can come and be with him until his family is contacted.  I realize you live over 1,000 miles away so if you can’t make it, I’m sure Mr. Hall will understand.”

 

            “Wh—what happened to Scott?”  She tried not to sound petrified but something told Julianne that this was very serious.

 

            “Ms. Peterson, Mr. Hall was injured in an attack and was in a coma for 18 hours but is now conscious.  We’re not sure just what did happen but he needs someone here to give him support and we were hoping you might be able to help.  He said you that can stay at his home while he is in the hospital so you wouldn’t need to find other accommodations.  I know this must be difficult for you to take all this in over the phone but I need to know whether or not you understand the situation.”

 

            “I’m not sure that I do.  You say he was attacked and was in a coma?  What is his condition now and who did this to him?”

 

            We don’t know who attacked him, but it seems to have been from someone coming up behind him.  They hit him in the head with something very hard and it seems they took off with his wallet because he had no identification on him when he was brought into ER.  This really is all we know for now but as to his condition, I need to prepare you a little bit for this.  His neck was nearly broken but we do believe he will heal.  He is in very good physical condition and appears to be very strong so his Dr. is optimistic about Mr. Hall’s recovery.  He will need physical therapy but in time he should be able to lead a fairly normal life.  It’s not certain whether or not he will be able to return the kind of work he has been doing but only time will tell.”

 

            Julianne was stunned.  She just sat with the receiver up to her wet ear and tried to take it all in.  She finally felt she understood what had happened and asked the woman to let Scott know she would be there as soon as it was humanly possible.  She would have to request the time off from work and then arrange for a pet sitter or a friend to take care of her little dog while she was gone.  Then she would make the flight to Miami and to Scott.

 

            She sounded like she was calm but when she hung up the phone and all the information she had been given sank in, the calm melted away and was replaced by a hot rain of tears and hysteria.  She wasn’t hysterical to the point that she lost all control but she felt the tightness mixed with her tears in her throat almost choking her.  Julianne had to remind herself that the woman said Scott would probably recover just fine but it was little comfort when she couldn’t be there with him now, holding his hand and reassuring him that he would come through this and that she would not leave his side.

 

            This was a new commitment for Julianne but at the moment nothing else seemed as important to her so she had to act quickly, for Scott’s sake.

 

            “Yes, I know this is short notice and I’m so very sorry to drop this on you at the last minute but I just found out a dear friend of mine has had a terrible accident and his family can’t be reached.  I was the only one he wanted so I feel I must be there for him.  I’ll take what work I can with me and do it on line from Miami.  I’ve done this sort of thing remotely before and I’m sure I can do it again.  I spoke to Dean about this and he is very willing to help with whatever I can’t do on line.  Please understand though that I’m not sure how long I will be gone but I will definitely keep you posted and I will keep in contact with you frequently.”

 

            Julianne’s employer wasn’t happy but she had laid the groundwork well and left him with no real arguments so with some reluctance he agreed to give her this time away from the office and let her work from Florida.  That was the easy part.  Now the hard part was to hand Penny over to her good friend Antoinette.

 

            “Toni you are such a sweetheart to take her for me while I’m gone.  I wish I knew how long I’ll be gone but there is really no way to tell right now.  I’ll call you often and give you updates.  Also, here is my credit card that I use only for the vet.  If something comes up and she has to go in, just use this.  I’ve already seen them and signed a paper giving you permission to sign for me.  They were great about it and will cooperate.”

 

            “Oh Jules, I’m so sorry about all this.  Scott has been such a wonderful guy all these months and then to have something like this happen is just too awful!  My prayers will be with both of you.  Don’t worry about Penny.  We’ll do just fine together.  You know I’m her favorite Auntie.”

 

            That was too much.  Julianne embraced Antoinette and began to cry knowing what a special friend she was and knowing how much she would miss her little dog.  She knelt down to her little Corgi and tried to say her good-byes through sobs and blurry eyes.  The little Corgi girl seemed to know she was distressed and licked her face repeatedly until both women started to laugh at her persistent kisses.  It helped to laugh and Antoinette reminded her of the time.  Julianne excused herself to use the restroom to fix her hair and makeup and dashed out the back way while Antoinette distracted her little charge long enough for Julianne to make her get away.

 

            Julianne went back home to pack her belongings and called a taxi to take her to Dane County Regional Airport.  Her flight was at noon so she had no time to spare.  She would call her family from the airport when she had time to relax a little before boarding her plane.  She tried to slip out without alerting her neighbor to what she was doing because she wasn’t sure she could keep her composure if she had to explain where she was going and why.  It didn’t work because Terese was coming out of her door at the same time.  It just figured that you couldn’t get away with anything.  Not that Julianne would try to hide this from her neighbor but how could she explain this to her?

 

            “Hi, it looks like you’re going on a trip.  Do you need someone to watch your little dog?  I’m home a lot more now that I can work out of my home.”

 

            “Thank you Terese but no I just dropped Penny off at a girlfriend’s house a little while ago so we’re all set.  I don’t know how long I’ll be gone but if you wouldn’t mind just keeping an eye for any strange goings on around here I would appreciate that.  I’m leaving my car here and am being picked up by a taxi so . . .”

 

            “If I had known I could have driven you to the airport.  We’re so close that it would have been no trouble at all.  If it isn’t too late, why don’t you cancel the taxi and I’ll give you a lift.”

 

            “Thank you but he should be here any minute now.  You’re very kind to offer but I wasn’t sure if you were even home and I didn’t want to impose.  Maybe next time I have to take off on a moment’s notice I’ll take you up on your offer.”

 

            “So this is a last minute trip.  I hope everything is alright.”  Terese noticed the tension in Julianne’s voice and felt some concern for her.

 

            “Yes, n-no,” Julianne’s lower lip began to quiver and her eyes filled with tears.

 

            “Oh dear, you’re upset about something.  I don’t mean to pry and I don’t expect you to tell me what it is but . . .” Terese just put her arms around Julianne and held her until she got over the moment.  “I suspect I know what it is but I’m sure it’s none of my business.  Just please have a safe flight and here is my number if you need anything from me while you’re gone.  I mean it Jules.  Just call anytime.”

 

            “I can’t thank you enough for your kindness.  I will keep your number and here is my cell phone # in case anything does come up.”  Julianne saw the taxi coming down the street and began walking toward the driveway when Terese called after her.

 

            “You and Scott will both be in my thoughts and prayers.”

 

            Julianne wondered how she knew but she smiled and waved back at her and then rode off to the airport, grateful that she was finally alone with her thoughts and began to make her itinerary.  Catch her plane and see Scott.  It was that simple.

 

The woman at Mercy Hospital had given Julianne a little information but nothing she had told her could have prepared her for what she saw when she came to Scott’s room.  He was asleep when she arrived so she had a moment to just stand there and look at him.

 

            How could the strong, robust man she loved be in this hospital bed and look so pale and helpless?  This hurt so bad but she had to keep her balance here and not lose it in front of him.  She doubted he knew how pathetic he looked so she must be brave for him.  Give him something positive to cling to.

 

            What was really startling was the bandage over his throat, the IV’s in his arm and his pale complexion.  She knew his neck was not broken but this was more than she had been prepared for.  Julianne was grateful for the few minutes she had to collect her thoughts before she entered his room.  Then he opened his eyes, gazed at her for a second or two and a single tear ran down his cheek.  He did know how bad he looked and it hurt deep inside to be so helpless in her presence.  Still he was grateful to see her, and with great effort he asked her to come in.

 

            She put her bags down and approached his bed.  There was a chair beside the bed but Julianne hadn’t noticed it at first.  All she could see were the saddest brown eyes looking back at her with real love in them and she leaned over him and kissed his cheek.  As she did, she tasted the salty tear and felt her heart breaking for him.  He closed his eyes tight and felt like his heart had been wrung out.

 

            Julianne wiped his face with a tissue and smiled to let him know she understood but she was here to give him hope and encouragement, not to be his crying partner.  Now it was time to move on and to get his life back and she told him as much.

 

            “Do you understand what happened to you?”

 

            “I was hit in the back of the head and my neck was almost broken.”

 

            Julianne didn’t expect this response but when it came, it was like a reality check and made her feel weak.  She was clearly not prepared to deal with the reality of his injury by herself.

 

            Just as Julianne started to feel a little weak in the knees a very tall man peeked his head in the door and saw her start to waiver.  He was at her side in an instant and helped her to the bedside chair.  It was then that she looked up to see Kevin looking down at her and saying he presumed she must be Jules.  Before she could answer he was at Scott’s side, telling him that he wasn’t going to go through this alone.  He now had the two people who loved him more than anyone else in the world and they wouldn’t let him down.  This brought a gasp from Scott as he tried to tell Kevin he loved the two of them more than anyone else too but he was caught up in his own emotions and words wouldn’t come.  Kevin patted his shoulder and said it was alright and that they knew.

 

            “Scott, I just found out and I came immediately.  I left the show behind and I don’t care who likes or doesn’t like it.  We’re best buds and this is where I belong so I hope you’re prepared to see my ugly mug every day.”

 

            The jest about his ugly mug got the desired effect.  Scott almost laughed out loud but it was difficult and he just smiled at Kevin.  Then he looked past him at Julianne sitting in the chair and asked her to come to the side of the bed.  Kevin moved slightly to let her next to the bed and he stood right behind her.

 

            Scott looked up at Julianne and then at Kevin and said he was sure he would make it now with both of them watching his back.  They smiled at the wrestling reference.  Julianne took Scott’s right hand in her left and took Kevin’s left hand in her right and making a connection she promised would never be broken.  It was all Scott needed as he vowed he would walk and be back in action soon.  He wouldn’t waste a moment feeling sorry for himself and would not disappoint Kevin and Julianne.

 

            Scott’s Dr. came in and was very pleased to see his friends with him and being so attentive to his patient.

 

            “Mr. Hall your recovery won’t be easy or quick but with your new cheering section around you will make good progress.  It’s obvious that you are in excellent physical condition and this will enable you to go into therapy sooner than if you were someone who did not build himself up.  From the looks of your tall friend here I would say you probably work out a lot and you’re both used to a lot of hard work.  This is a good thing and it will help your attitude in the next couple of months.”

 

            “Doc, I intend to be on my feet again in a month.”

 

            “That’s what I like to hear but I also want you to be realistic Mr. Hall.  This doesn’t mean I doubt you, but I’m no expert in the neck injury department.  That’s why I have enlisted the services of an orthopedic surgeon and a sports medicine doctor.  They will guide you through your recovery.  There is nothing that would make me happier than to see you walking in a month’s time but don’t be a hero and push yourself too hard at first because you’ll cause more damage.  You need to start healing first.”

 

            “Yeah, I know.  Right now I’d be happy just to move my little finger.”

 

            “That reminds me, the day you regained consciousness the nurse said you moved your hand and brushed hers with it.  Do you remember that?”

 

            “No.  I don’t see how I could have done that since I can’t do it now.  You sure she said that?”

 

            “I’m certain that’s what she said but she may have been mistaken.  I would like to check your reflexes if your friends wouldn’t mind stepping out for a while and giving us some privacy.”

 

            Kevin and Julianne promised Scott they would be just down the hall getting some coffee and left the room together.  Once outside the room, Kevin’s calm exterior seemed to give way to a tremor that he couldn’t control.  Julianne was alarmed to see him this way and suggested they sit on the couch in the visitor area.  Kevin didn’t argue with her and as they reached the edge of the couch he lost his footing and went down like a ton of bricks.  Julianne called out for help and stayed at Kevin’s side.

 

            Moments later Kevin came to and felt ridiculous for having fainted but the nurse said it often happens in hospitals because of hospital smells.  Sometimes people react to the odors this way.  Kevin admitted he never was much good in hospitals and he did indeed have a green tinge to his skin around his mouth.

 

            “Uh, I would appreciate it if you didn’t-“

 

            “Don’t worry Kevin, my lips are sealed,” Julianne gave him a reassuring smile.  “I just hope you didn’t get hurt when you went down.”

 

            “No, I’m alright,” Kevin laughed.  It was good to laugh for a change and release some of the tension they had been under.  This would be the hardest experience either of them had been through and they would need each other to hold one another up.

 

            “Well then if you’re alright, how about something to eat?  I haven’t eaten since this morning.  I couldn’t eat on the plane; I was just too upset and eating then would have made me sick.  I could really go for something good now.”  Julianne was hoping this would give them the opportunity to get acquainted.

 

            “Yeah I think maybe that was why I had to help you to a seat in Scott’s room too.”  Kevin grinned at her and they laughed together going down the hall when a nurse gave them the eye indicating they should keep it down.  They managed to until they stepped onto an elevator.  As soon as the door closed and they were alone, they erupted in uncontrolled laughter.

 

            “Man, did you see that snarl?  I believe she would have taken our heads off.”  Kevin couldn’t quit shaking as he roared about their near death experience.

 

            “Quit, you’re making my sides hurt.”  Julianne felt such a relief when they finally calmed down and she regained her composure.  “We’ll just have to watch our step around Ol’ Snaggletooth.”

 

            That was all it took to put Kevin into hysterics.  He couldn’t control his laughter until they reached the Hospital cafeteria.  Then he stopped laughing because there was a more immediate need before him, his stomach.

 

            “Hmm, let’s see now.  It looks like Meatloaf Surprise Jules.  Maybe a big salad would be safer.”  He grinned at her and she pointed her index finger at him and told him to behave, hiding her own grin when she turned her back to see what was in the refrigerator case.  This would be a good day after all now that she knew what Scott’s condition and prognosis was and she was becoming a friend of his best friend.  In a way it was comforting for both of them.

 

The surgery was the first thing to recover from but that was stalled until some of the swelling went down and then his neck was operated on.  It was touchy because his neck was not broken but if the surgeon slipped with the knife, he could sever Scott’s spinal cord so extreme caution was needed.  Scott told the surgeon and anesthesiologist both to get a good night sleep the night before.  They both chuckled and promised him they would be wide awake and would do their very best for him.

 

            The anesthesiologist said his son was such a fan of Scott’s so he knew he better not screw this up or there would be Hell to pay later.  Scott told him that he would like to meet his son so it was arranged.  What a thrill it was for the young lad.  It was kind of scary seeing him this way in the hospital but a thrill none the less.

 

            The next day very early Scott was taken to Pre-Op and prepared for the surgery.  He was not to eat or drink from noon on from the day before because they couldn’t risk anything in his stomach coming back up into his throat during the surgery.  That would be fatal.

 

            As he was taken into the operating room he looked at his anesthesiologist and said “Remember what your son said” and gave him a little grin.”

 

            “Hey Scott, no pressure, ok?”  He returned the grin and put the needle in Scott’s wrist and asked him to count out loud backwards from 100.

 

            “100, 99, 9-. . .”  He was out and the operation could begin.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The surgery was a complete success but now the rest would be up to Scott.  Physical Therapy was something Kevin and Scott had both been through before but neither had ever had a neck injury like this.  Some of their colleagues had gone through this, but to experience it first hand was a little unnerving.  Scott tried to put into words the way he felt as Julianne helped him keep a diary of his progress.

 

            “It feels kind of surreal, like I’m watching someone else go through it and it sticks in the pit of my stomach.  Sometimes I wonder how this could have happened to me and then I remember that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

 

            Julianne looked at him thoughtfully and just waited for him to continue.  She would not pry into the reasons that he was in that part of town but she did wonder.  Still she would wait for him to disclose it.

 

            Sensing that she wondered but wouldn’t ask, Scott began to tell her.

 

            “You know if you don’t want to tell me you don’t have to.”

 

            “I know, but I’m not ashamed of what I was doing.  I got a call from someone saying a friend of mine was in trouble and some guys were threatening to beat him up.  At first I didn’t believe it but when they told me is was Sean Waltman I couldn’t ignore them.  They said if I didn’t show up they would kill him.  I still wasn’t sure but then I heard his voice in the background telling me not to come and knew they were telling the truth.  As it turns out, when I showed up they did knock him out for a minute but when they came at me, I saw him move a little and he must have just been stunned.  That’s all I remembered because that’s when I got hit in the back of the head.”

 

            “Oh Scott!” was all she said when she came to him and put her arms around him and held him.  “Have you seen or heard from Sean since?”

 

            “I have.  He came up to the hospital after Kevin got ahold of him.  He didn’t know where I was because I was dragged off and he was so out of it after they beat him up.  He came up here but you know I think he was so upset about my injury that he blamed himself and he hasn’t been able to face me since.”

 

            “But it wasn’t his fault.”

 

            “Of course it wasn’t but he still feels so bad that I’m here with an injured neck   because I was trying to save his.”

 

            Julianne gazed into Scott’s eyes and told him he was her hero.  Then she did something she hadn’t done since the night they first met.  She kissed him tenderly and almost felt his arms go around her.  They didn’t of course, but she felt as if they did.  He wanted to, and in time he would.

 

            “Do the police have any suspects yet?”

 

            “I don’t think they do but they assured me they will keep on it.”

 

            “Is it possible that Sean was just the bait and you were the one they wanted?”

 

            “I believe that’s possible.  Kevin thinks so too but I didn’t want to say anything to you about, it but since you figured it out I guess . . .”

 

            “Oh, so now I’m a pansy huh?  Let me tell you something mister, if you ever feel the need to protect me from something, I insist that you don’t.  My theory is that people are better prepared to face the worst if they are well informed.”  Julianne told him with an arched eyebrow.

 

            “Oh ok, ‘Miss don’t protect me, I’m tough’ I will remember that.”  Scott gave her an edgy look that was meant to make her think he was annoyed at her when he was really relieved that she was not the hysterical kind of woman who went all to pieces when she heard bad news.

 

            Julianne put her hands on his while he was standing with the metal crutches and told him she wasn’t fooled by his gruffness.  He tried to turn and walk away from her and she wouldn’t let go of his hands and made him stay there looking at her.  She was being playful and she finally saw the beginning of a grin when he couldn’t maintain the frown  anymore.  She had him right where she wanted him and he couldn’t go anywhere without knocking her over.

 

            “I suppose you think you’re cute Jules because I can’t move away from you now and you . . .”

 

            “Yes and I have you right where I want you.”

 

            “Where’s that?”

 

            “Standing right in front of me.  There is no other smile I want to see than yours.”

 

            Julianne put her arms around his waist and pulled herself so close to him that you couldn’t have put a piece of paper between them.  Her arms weren’t tight around his waist but she still held him so close that Scott felt like he was in a comfort zone he had never been in before.  His heart felt like someone with silk gloves was stroking it and gently holding it, keeping it safe and soothing him.  It was like his entire body was wrapped in a soft, warm billowy blanket with this lovely woman clinging to him for her life.

 

            The feeling was almost like pain except that it felt so good to receive the kind of love Julianne gave him that Scott just closed his eyes and gratefully allowed this feeling of euphoria float through him and accepted the selfless love she offered him.  He sensed that she really treasured him and for the first time found himself saying to her in his heart, quietly at first, “I love you, and I would die for you.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

2 months later:          

 

As the weeks went by, Scott made progress.  It was slower than he wanted but he was still determined.  It helped that his children were allowed to come to some of his therapy sessions and encourage him.  They got on his case if he started slacking off and then cheered for him when he would reach a new plateau.  This more than anything else made the time go faster and with each new success Scott seemed to view his future in a new light.  There was a change in his outlook and his goals began to change.

 

            For Scott, life used to be one party, one binge, after another.  Lately, however, he began to see that he could get along without the crutch that had brought him so much difficulty in his personal life.  With the help of his children, his best friend and his new love, Scott was ready to start a new chapter in his life.

 

            Kevin had been true to his word and stayed with Scott when Julianne had to go back to Madison but she was determined to return as soon as possible.  It was just that she wasn’t sure she still had a job and her boss was putting pressure on her to return soon to straighten out some problems at the office.  These were things she should be there to deal with and he wasn’t going to wait much longer so she finally gave in and made her travel plans.

 

            Kevin drove Scott and Julianne to the airport, but he gave them some privacy while they said goodbye.

 

            “Just you wait until you see me again.  I’ll be standing on my own instead of using these metal crutches.”

 

            “I said before you were my hero but I don’t want you to try to impress me.”

 

            “I’m going to do it for myself too you know.  Also I want my kids to see I’m no quitter.  I have finally earned their respect and I aim to keep it Jules.”

 

            She put her hands on his chest and they leaned into each other for a long moment.  Then she heard her flight called and it was almost time to board the plane.  With a smile that hid the grief she felt at leaving him, Julianne looked into his liquid brown eyes, pulled him slightly to her and kissed him the way she had on their first date.  The same weightless feeling came over her as their lips barely touched and she felt the quaking deep inside her again.  This time they were not interrupted by a passerby, it was Kevin telling her she would miss her plane if she didn’t release Scott’s lips.

 

            A smile crossed their lips and then she hugged Kevin and whispered in his ear that she has a friend in Madison who could do something dangerous to his lips if he wasn’t careful.  His eyes grew big and she could hardly control her laughter as she ran to catch the plane.  Waving goodbye to the two most important men in her life she slipped out of sight and they turned to leave without watching the plane take off.

 

            Kevin could see this was hard on Scott because there was no way to tell how long Julianne would be gone and it seemed like his good mental state was tied up with having her there.  He had secretly hoped she would tell her boss to “Take this job and shove it!”  Of course she didn’t and he also secretly respected her for not blowing up at the guy.

 

            “Hey buddy, what do you say we order some pizza tonight and watch RAW.  I haven’t bothered to watch it the last few weeks and I sort of need to pay attention to what the guys are doing.  Shawn called this weekend and gave me an update on Paul’s last match and he said he almost lost the title last week to Kane but he pulled it out at the last minute.  I’m sure there will be some highlights from that match on TV tonight.  So, what do you say?”

 

            “Ok.”

 

            “Look, I know this is tough but if you give into this mood you’re developing you will start going in the wrong direction, and Jules wouldn’t want you to do that.  Just hang on to that last kiss and think about how you’re going to be so much stronger the next time you see her.  She’ll call you as soon as she gets home and then you’ll feel better.”

 

            Scott wasn’t sure of this but he hoped Kevin was right.  He was sure though that Kevin was right about going in the wrong direction with the mood he was in so he knew he had to change that and get out of this funk he was suddenly in.

 

            “Ok, let’s order a pizza and some Diet Pepsi and watch RAW.  I’m in the mood!”

 

As Julianne was getting off the plane in Madison her cell phone was ringing.  It was Terese calling to say she was there waiting for her.  When Julianne went to get her luggage she was greeted by her neighbor.  What a relief to have her ride ready and waiting for her so she didn’t have to sit around waiting when she was already tired from traveling.

 

            “My dear you look weary.  My car is just outside so we can go straight home or we can go and get your little girl first.  It’s up to you.  I don’t mind picking her up at all.”

 

            “Thanks Terese but I called Toni and she is bringing her home.  In fact they will probably beat us home.  I sure miss her.  I hope she’s been good for Toni.”

 

            “She has.  I’ve seen her a few times when Toni would bring her by to say hello and pick up your mail or water your plants.”

 

            “That’s right, I almost forgot she was doing all that.”

 

            “Well next time you fly out of here I want you to know you can ask anything of me and I will be happy to help out.”  She reached over and gave Julianne’s hand a little squeeze.

 

            “I know.”  Julianne was tired and she was also feeling a little emotional from leaving Scott and Kevin and at the prospect of seeing her little girl again.  It had been two months and Julianne wondered if she would remember her.

 

            They lived just about 5 miles from the airport so it was a quick ride home and as Julianne predicted, there were Antoinette and the little Corgi girl waiting for her and Terese.  The reunion was a joyous one with tears and laughing and excited barking.  Julianne’s little dog seemed a little thinner but very healthy.

 

            “I think she wouldn’t eat at times because she missed you a lot.  I tried to think of fun things for her recreation but mostly we went to one of the dog parks in town and she met other kids she liked playing with.  She was usually the center of attention, being the only Corgi there.”

 

            The updates were a comfort to Julianne and she of course gave them both an update on Scott.  They sat in Julianne’s apartment drinking coffee and eating cake that Terese had made and brought over.  When Terese finally bid them both goodnight Julianne told Antoinette what she had told Kevin at the airport.

 

            “You didn’t!  You are so bad, but I love you for it.  What I wouldn’t give to meet him and get to know him the way you have.  As if I would really stand a chance of having a relationship with Kevin like you have with Scott.  Oh Jules, tell me what he’s really like.  I mean, what really is his state of mind and how is he taking all this change in his life?”

 

            “He’s so brave and mature about it all.  You know all the junk we’ve heard over the years about his personal life and the way the tabloids always ran him down?  I suppose some of it was true but he is so different from that man now that you wouldn’t think they were talking about him.  His kids are so sweet too.  They just adore him and they have been very supportive of his efforts that I get a lump in my throat when I see them together.  Kevin has been wonderful too and is still with him now.  Oh, that reminds me, I need to call and let them know I’m home now.  You want me to put them on the speaker phone so you can say hi?”

 

            “You’d do that?”

 

            Julianne gave her a look and then dialed Scott’s number.

 

            “Hey it’s about time you remembered to call us.”  Kevin was giving her a hard time and she said she had a friend from Madison with her who wanted to say hello to him and Scott.  Kevin asked if this was the friend she had told him about and Julianne said it was.

 

            “Hi Kevin, I’m Toni.  Jules told me the scandalous thing she said to you.  I want you to know if I ever got within 10 feet of your lips they would be blistering.”

 

            The sound of laughter was almost deafening.  Kevin said he would have to find out more about her soon and then turned the phone over to Scott who was wearing a headset.

 

            “Hi Toni.  I’ve heard a lot about you and it’s all decent so don’t let Kevin give you a hard time.  You’re a real good friend to Jules and I’m grateful that you took care of her dog while she was here so she didn’t have to worry about her.  I needed all her attention so thanks a lot.”

 

            “Hey Scott, I bet you got a lot of her attention.  She’s a great nurse.  I know.  When I was sick with Pneumonia a few years ago she was at my bedside almost all the time so I know you got a lot of TLC.”

 

            “That I did and I’m already missing it.  When are you coming back Jules?”

 

            “Soon.  I will be going into the office first thing in the morning to straighten things out there and my boss will get straightened out too.  I was nice over the phone but I don’t treat other people that way and I won’t let others treat me that way either.  So things will heat up real soon and he will either back down or I’ll get my walking papers.  Either way, I’m not planning on staying there too long.  My lease is also up in another month so I will have to let my landlord know what my intentions are.”

 

            “And what are they Jules?”

 

            “That’s a good question Scott.  I know what my intentions are but I don’t know yet what my plans are.  Do you have any thoughts on that?”

 

            Scott laughed a little and said “boy hit a guy head on with it why don’t you?  Sure I have some thoughts on it but I don’t plan to discuss them with you over the speaker phone.”

 

            “Oh-oh, that sounds like my cue.  I think I’ll let you too hash this out by yourselves.  It’s been so great talking to you Scott.  Please tell Kevin I said goodbye and I hope you recover completely and soon.  Take care Scott.”

 

            “Thanks Toni.  I’ll tell him and thanks for caring.  I hope we’ll meet soon and I’m sure Kevin does too.”

 

            When the door shut Julianne shut off the speaker and picked up the receiver.

 

            “That’s better.  Toni sounds like a real sweet person.  I’m so glad you have someone in your life you can count on Jules.  I feel blessed to have Kevin and you in my life.”

 

            “She’s a doll and I couldn’t have done what I did without her.  I have other friends and my neighbor Terese would be willing to help me out too but when it comes to leaning on someone you only want your best friend.”

 

            “I know Sweetheart.  That’s how I feel but right now my best friend is glued to the tube and if you were here I wouldn’t come in second to a HHH Vs HBK match.” Scott laughed but Julianne heard the tone of his voice and knew he wanted her back and soon.

 

            “So, what are your thoughts on my plans?  I really would like to know Scott.”

 

            “Jules, you and I have been developing a relationship for at least a year now and I think you know I love you.  I can’t offer you much now in the state I’m in but I want you to move down here and be near me.  A year ago I would have asked you to just move in with me, but you’re different from a lot of women and I see the value in taking things slow.  Also, I respect you too much to take advantage of you but don’t think that I love you any less Jules.  You mean everything to me.”

 

            There was silence at the other end and Scott wondered if that was a good sign or if Julianne was upset.

 

            “You still there, Jules?”

 

            “Yes I’m still here.  I’m listening to every word.”

 

            Julianne was just letting Scott talk and share his thoughts.  She loved the sound of his voice and hung on his every word.  It was sweet hearing him express his love for her so she would not interrupt him.

 

            “So how does that sound to you?  Did I get it all right?”

 

            “You got everything exactly right Scott and I do know that you love me.  Our lives have changed so much since we met and this has been the happiest year of my life.  Meeting you and falling in love with you was the last thing I ever imagined would happen, and yet it has.  Scott, if you want me to move to Florida and be near you, then that’s what I want.  I don’t have many ties to this area and the ones I do have will understand when I move away.  I also don’t have much in the way of material possessions so a long distance move won’t be difficult.  As I see it the only thing I will need to do is find a place to live near you so if you and Kevin wouldn’t mind helping me look for a place, I will start making my plans tonight.”

 

            “You really mean it Jules?  Tonight?”

 

            “Yes Scott.  You mean everything to me too and all I can see ahead of me is . . . you.” Julianne meant to say more but she was suddenly breathless from the butterflies in her stomach.  Her mind was going a hundred miles an hour and she would not sleep much tonight as it was so she might as well start making plans right away.

 

            “Then Kevin and I will start looking for a place for you right away.  You know something?  You’re making me a very happy man tonight.  I can’t wait until you’re here permanently.  I needed you in my life and I didn’t even know it a year ago.  Then we met and something clicked between us and that’s when I started to know you were the one Jules.”

 

            “The one?”

 

            “Yeah, the only one.”

 

One week later:

 

While Julianne was away in Madison, Scott and Kevin were busy looking for a suitable place for her to live when she moved to Florida.  For Scott, this was better than therapy and he began working harder than ever to get his full strength back.  One of the issues he had to deal with though was finding out who attacked him and why they were out for him.

 

            In the past Scott and Kevin both had received threats from former associates and this had crossed their minds but it didn’t seem too likely that other wrestlers would stoop to this kind of thing.  For the most part there was real camaraderie among the huge wrestling family that they were a part of and it seemed more like something of a personal nature.  Someone knew he would come to Sean’s aid so his attackers knew of his connections but he couldn’t believe any of his family or friends would do something like this so the police had to search elsewhere.

 

            “Mr. Hall we appreciate your reluctance to give us names of your professional associates and your personal contacts but we need your cooperation if we are to get a lead into who might have accosted you.”

 

            “Accosted?  That what you call it?  My neck was almost broken and it wasn’t a personal or business associate.  It was probably somebody from my past but not anyone I knew.  Maybe you remember me from my previous visits to your station.  I want to tell you that I’ve changed a lot of things in my life this last year and I’m a different guy now but I used to be a real trouble maker and I probably PO’d somebody and they took it out on me this way.”

 

            “Are you saying you think it might be someone you had a run in with when you were under the influence?”

 

            “Oh, I see you do remember my visits.  Yeah it was probably somebody like that.  I was not a nice guy when I drank and maybe somebody thought I deserved to get beat up for trashing their car or making a play for their wife.  Who knows but you might want to check out anybody who filed a complaint against me in the past.”

 

            “Very well Mr. Hall, we will do that.”

 

            “Ok, thanks.”  As the officer started to walk away Scott thought about how he had responded to her and called after her, “Uh . . . I didn’t mean to be a jerk a few minutes ago when you said I was accosted.  I’m just tired of dealing with it.  I want to move on with my life and each time I think I have, you guys show up again asking more questions.  You know as much as I do now and I don’t know how else I can help.”

 

            “That’s quite alright Mr. Hall.  I understand your frustration and I’m sorry if it seemed that I was minimizing what happened to you.  I have to say if I was attacked the way you were I would probably have died but you are in really good shape and it probably saved your life.”  The female officer told Scott.

 

            “Well if you check out my past record maybe you’ll see a name of somebody who would want to hurt me.  I made a lot of bad impressions.”  Scott kind of laughed and then straightened a little because he was through with that kind of life and wasn’t proud of the waste he had made of his life.  “Look, it’s in my past and I ain’t proud of it but if poking around in it will help find the creeps that did this to me then I guess it’s worth digging it up.”

 

            “Thank you Mr. Hall.  We’ll let you know when we come up with some names.  I’ll leave you alone now and let you get back to your family.  I hope you have a good evening.”

 

            “Yeah.  Thanks for everything officer.”  Scott was sincere but he was also weary from the questions and lack of progress.  At least there was some progress in another very personal part of his life and for that he was truly happy.

 

            “Hey Scott!  Telephone.”

 

            “Hello?”

 

            “You have caller Id and all you can say is Hello?” came the voice of a female who was trying to sound miffed and not doing a very good job of it.

 

            “I’m on the cordless.  Hey Kev, you might have told me it was Jules.”  Kevin was going off in the background about how he does everything else for the guy and now he has to screen all Scott’s calls for him too.  “Aw knock it off already.  You just about got me in deep trouble with my girlfriend is all.”

 

            “Alright, you’re off the hook,” she paused and chuckled a little and then “and no pun intended.”

 

            “Thanks, Jules.”

 

            “How are you doing?  I’m really missing you bad.”

 

            “I’m doing ok, but the feeling is mutual.  How’d it go at work?  Are you unemployed now?”

 

            “No, not yet.  My boss wasn’t in today and I couldn’t reach him.  Dean said he thinks the man is running scared now that an angry female is in town and ready to ride his butt out of town.”

 

            Scott broke up laughing and couldn’t quit for a minute.  It was good to talk with Julianne and to laugh with her again.

 

            “Sweetheart, I think we found a good place for you but I don’t know if it’s perfect or anything.  Why don’t you and Penny just come down here and stay in my guesthouse.  I promise I’ll behave myself.  Besides you have a pretty good little guard dog and I’m not sure she likes me yet.  Will you think about it?”

 

            “Well that would simplify things and I think your guesthouse is just as nice, if not nicer than most apartments I’ve lived in.  I’ll give it some thought and I’ll take you at your word that you won’t accost me.”

 

            “There’s that word again!”

 

            “What word?!”

 

            “Accost!”

 

            “I don’t get it.  I’ve never said anything like that to you?”

 

            “No, I mean the cop that was leaving when you called.  She said I was accosted and I sort of blew up a little.”

 

            “She?!!”

 

            Scott sighed.  “Yeah it was a woman cop.  No big deal Jules.  She ain’t a beauty like you and I think I gave her a bad impression so let’s not go there.  Ok?”

 

            “Hmm, well I’ll let it pass for now.” She sensed that Scott was annoyed and only wanted to tease him a little to lift his mood.

 

            “I mean it Jules.  There is no one else for me and you know that.”

 

There was a rare and serious tone in his voice that almost put Julianne off.  Why was he overreacting?  It wasn’t like him.  He usually knew when she was teasing him.  Maybe he was tired or didn’t have a good conversation with this cop.

 

“I’m sorry Scott.  I was only teasing.  I’ll stop.  I know how you feel about me and I feel the same way about you.  Is there anything new in the Police investigation?”  Julianne hoped that changing the direction of this conversation would lighten his mood.

 

“Oh they wanted to run a check on everyone in wrestling and in my personal life and I felt that was a waste of time.  I suggested they look into my past records and see if there was anyone who filed a complaint against me who might want to hurt me.”  Scott paused a long moment and then continued, “I didn’t want to bring up that part of my life but it sort of made sense to me that somebody I hurt would want to get back at me.  I’m just not proud of my past and I would like it to stay in my past.”  He really did sound tired and frustrated.  Also a little low because he had to bring up this part of his life.  He and Julianne had never talked about it and he wasn’t sure she would still love a guy who had such a checkered past.

 

            Julianne’s heart went out to Scott and more than anything, she wanted to be with him now to hold him and soothe him.  Tell him she was his no matter what but there was only the telephone line so for now it would have to do.

 

            “Scott, I’m not ignorant of your past.  I don’t know all of it and I don’t have to know all of it.  I knew about it when I entered that contest over a year ago and won that date with you.  It didn’t matter then and it doesn’t matter now.  I know the man you are now and that’s the man I fell in love with.  Please don’t think that I would ever judge you for your past deeds, and as far as what others think, I want you to know it doesn’t matter to me.”

 

            It was short, sweet and to the point, but it was enough to make Scott feel better.

 

            “Jules, you always know what to say.  When you called you didn’t know I was frustrated and I got a little short with you but you took it really well.  I feel like a chump for taking it out on you but you were so sweet about it.  You’re a real jewel, and I intended to say that because you really are and I love you because of it.”

 

            The humility and love in Scott’s voice brought tears to Julianne’s eyes and she had some difficulty answering him.  He waited a moment and was about to ask if she was alright when she recovered and started cooing into the phone.  Julianne was not the type of woman who gushed or got sappy but Scott had really touched a cord in her and melted her heart.

 

            The rest of their conversation consisted of endearing expressions that sprang from their heartfelt love and lighthearted laughter over silly things.

 

            When they hung up each had the feeling that things were better now and everything was going to work out fine.

 

The following Monday night:

 

It was Monday night and the guys settled in to watch RAW. They seemed to feed off of it, especially with some of their closest friends on the show. It was kind of a special program this night because King and JR had promised a special tribute to one of the best and most enduring entertainers in wrestling to date.

 

After the first two matches a picture with a hazy ring around it appeared on the screen with Scott’s picture inside the ring. It was Scott Hall fan appreciation night on RAW because of the terrible ordeal he had lived through and WWE wanted to pay tribute to him and let him know they had not forgotten about him.

 

The next thing they heard was JR talking about Scott’s career while various clips and stills were shown of him performing, with interviews and personal appearances. All in all it lasted about 10 minutes and ended with heartfelt words from King and JR expressing how sorry they were to hear of Scott’s condition and happy to hear that he was recovering. They said everyone there at WWE hoped Scott would be back when he was fully recovered and they looked forward to working with him again. Nothing was said of his torrid past or of the way he left WWE a few years earlier. It seemed they all respected him and wished him the very best.

 

Scott thought to himself how fortunate he was to have survived the attack and to have a home to go to when he was released to return to wrestling. JR had called him that week to tell him about the piece they were doing on him and told him at the time that Vince would like to meet with him soon. This was pretty awesome considering they let him go his own way and he ended up in the NWA/TNA instead. They understood that it was all about his kids and all of them respected him for putting his family first, especially since he was a single parent. It took a special kind of man to stand up for his family and do what was right.

 

The phone rang almost immediately after the piece aired.

 

“Hi Babe!”

 

“Stop that Kevin!” Julianne giggled.

 

“Hey, I thought you were callin’ to talk to me.”

 

“You’re so cute. I love talking to you but I adore your roomy so may I please talk to him now?”

 

Kevin grinned and handed the phone to Scott but before he did, he said he felt duty bound to tell him it was a beautiful female from Wisconsin.

 

“Gimme that thing!” Scott grabbed the phone from Kevin and made a swipe like he was going to cuff him on the back of the head. Kevin ducked and the two erupted in laughter.

 

“Sorry Sweetheart.” Scott told Julianne, laughing in her ear. “Some house guests aren’t paper trained yet.”

 

“I’m happy to hear you’re in such a good mood. It wouldn’t have anything to do with that lovely piece JR just did on you would it?”

 

“As a matter of fact, I am rather lovely.” This sent Kevin to the other room in hysterics.

 

“You two need a mature woman down there to keep you out of trouble.”

 

“I accept your offer. When you can get here?”

 

“Two weeks from now if I work it right.”

 

Suddenly it was quiet at the other end and then Julianne could hear Scott telling Kevin he better start getting that guesthouse back in order because he was expecting Jules in a couple of weeks and he didn’t want her to think he hung out with pigs.

 

Julianne chuckled to herself and told Scott he was incorrigible.

 

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” She could tell he had a real big smile on his face.

 

“Careful that smile doesn’t stick. I won’t move down there if you look like Dr. Sardonicas.”

 

“Oh, ok. I’ll wipe it off right away. So what are you doing tonight?”

 

“Penny and I are watching RAW. What else?”

 

“I hope Kane didn’t scare her. He’s a wicked lookin’ dude.”

 

“I know he doesn’t look like that. I saw him years ago before the mask so nobody is scared here. Don’t know what their story line is going to be but if I know Vince Russo, it will be pretty bad.”

 

“He has his moments but I’m with you. I can’t imagine where they are going with this.”

 

“Have you heard from Paul or Shawn?”

 

“Yeah they called today just to make sure we were watching RAW and they said everybody was asking about my recovery. They asked about you too.”

 

“That was sweet. I think of them often and I remember the days you were all in the kliq. I miss seeing you guys all together.”

 

“I do too and they are great guys.”

 

“When I move down there do you suppose I’ll meet them some time?”

 

“Oh sure. We get together often when we’re not all traveling around. They’re just like family.”

 

“That will be great. I don’t have much family anymore so I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know them, like I have Kevin.”

 

“Oh? Just Kevin?”

 

“No, not just Kevin. You are closer to me than family though. I don’t just need you and love you . . . I can’t live without you. That’s how much you mean to me Scott.”  Julianne could hear him breathing heavily at the other end and then she told him if he were ever not in her life that it wouldn’t be worth anything.

 

Scott was very quiet and she wasn’t sure what he was feeling and he wasn’t sure how to express his feelings to her. He sat on the couch with the TV turned down, not really thinking about what she had just said, but reacting to it. His hands became clammy and his mouth was dry while he felt a wave of electricity go through him. He felt his life would be nothing without her in it and that she was so much better than he was. He had made so many bad choices in the past and she was so smart and made good decisions in her life. How was it possible that he meant that much to her?

 

“Scott?”

 

“Jules . . .” he began quietly, softly, “you make me humble. If you’d been in my life years ago I might not have made the bad mistakes I have. I’m grateful that you’re in my life now and I don’t want to lose you.” His voice began to crack a little and he stopped to regain his composure.

 

Julianne was starting to understand what he was trying to say to her and she held her breath, not believing what she was hearing As much as she loved Scott, she didn’t feel ready to make this kind of a commitment until she spent much more time with him.

 

“I know this sounds impulsive Jules, but I really need you here with me. I don’t want to do this over the phone, and I won’t, but you need to know how I feel so you can make a decision when I do ask you. Remember when I told you that you are the only one for me?”

 

Barely able to breathe, Julianne confided that she did.

 

“Well, nothing has changed. Please just promise me you’ll think about it . . . about me-us.”

 

“I promise, Scott, and I haven’t thought about anything else for a long time.”

 

“Thanks, Sweetheart. I love you” Scott said with a happy, grateful tone in his voice. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow night.”

 

That last phone call took a lot out of both Scott and Julianne.  Scott had not poured his heart out like that to anyone in a long time and he had never been that sincere in his expressions.  For Julianne, it was like the answer to a prayer.  She wanted Scott to love her as much as she loved him but at the same time she was grateful that he had not popped the question.

 

            They still needed time to get to know each other better but the feelings were genuine and as strong as ever so both knew it was only a matter of time.  This kind of commitment Julianne could handle.  Sort of an understanding between them with the reality of him bending on one knee still in the future.

 

            Kevin had spent the next couple of days working in the guesthouse and making it presentable for the day that Julianne moved in.  While he was working, he came across something that belonged to Scott and presented it to him.

 

            “What’s this?”

 

            “That’s what I was wondering.  I found it in the guesthouse and I assumed it was yours.”  Kevin said with a raised eyebrow.

 

            “I’ve never seen it before.  You found it in my guesthouse?!!”

 

            “Yeah!  It was inside the end table beside the bed.”

 

            “It’s not mine.”

 

            “Well I wonder who it belongs to.  It sure ain’t mine.”

 

            “Well whoever it belongs to I’m glad you found it and not Jules.  Man I’m afraid of what she would think if she found it.”

 

            “My thoughts exactly.”

 

            “Hey, just get rid of it.  Ok?”

 

            “Don’t you want to find out whose it is?”

 

            “If someone snuck into my place one night and left it then that’s their problem but I don’t want it around here when Jules comes so just get it outta here.”

 

            “Alright, I’ll dispose of it.”

 

            Kevin went out to the trashcan and Scott called after him to not put it in there.   He said people go through other people’s trash and he didn’t want anyone to think he had that kind of thing in his house with little kids around.

 

            “Oh yeah, I’ll take it to the neighbors trash can instead.”

 

            Scott laughed and told him that was a good idea.

 

            While Kevin was outside doing the deed Scott decided to take a good look around the guesthouse to see if there was anything else that shouldn’t be in there.  Fortunately Julianne had slept in a guest bedroom while Scott was recovering so she never really spent time in the guesthouse.

 

            Who would put a toy like that in here anyway?  Could it be someone who saw her there and was trying to cause trouble for him?  Could it be the same ones who attacked him?  Maybe they should take the item in question to the police station.  There could be fingerprints on it . . . oh yeah, Kevin’s were on it now so it probably wouldn’t do any good.  Nah just let him throw it away.

 

            “It’s gone now so you can relax.”

 

            “Maybe I was overreacting a little but Jules and I are getting real close and I don’t want to ruin things so thanks for getting rid of it.”

 

            “Do you think someone planted that thing in there?”

 

            “What do you mean?”  Scott had thought that too but he decided he was being paranoid.  Then when Kevin brought it up he wanted to know why.

 

            “Well if those guys that jumped you knew who you were to begin with they probably also knew where you lived and may have known about Jules.  Maybe they want to make trouble for you with her.”

 

            A sickening feeling came over Scott so that he had to sit down a minute.

 

            “You don’t look so good Scott.  Are you worried that someone might try to harm Jules?”

 

            “Yeah, it occurred to me just now.  I can’t let her stay here if someone is still trying to mess with me.  I think I better call the police and have them dust this place for prints.”

 

            Scott reached for the phone and then thought better of it.  No need to add his prints to the place.  Unfortunately Kevin had been staying in there for a few months and his prints will be all over and may have covered up any that didn’t belong there.

 

            “I’ll use the phone in the house.  Maybe you should move into the house now anyway in case someone has been watching me.  Man it gives me the creeps!  You know I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of but I never intentionally did anything to harm anyone.”

 

            While Scott was on the phone, the officer speaking to him suggested it might be a stalker and they would send out a team to dust the guesthouse within the hour.  He also said they would have to retrieve the toy that Kevin threw out so Kevin quickly went back to the neighbor’s trash can and got it.

 

            “You get that thing?”

 

            “Uh-huh.  I felt stupid going through the neighbor’s trash.  I hope nobody saw me.”  Kevin had a sheepish look on his face but knew it was for their own protection so he didn’t complain.

 

            The detective arrived with a team to dust for prints.  They took Kevin’s prints, and of course they already had Scott’s on record, so now they just needed to identify any foreign prints.

 

            “Mr. Hall I’m sorry that we’ll have to make kind of a mess of your guesthouse but it can’t be helped.  We’ll be very thorough and be out of here as quickly as possible.  Will you please stay around the place in case we have any questions or need to identify anything?”

 

            “Yeah, sure I’ll hang around and don’t worry about making a mess.  If someone has been in here uninvited I want to know.  I have kids that could be in danger so take your time and do whatever you have to.”

 

            When the police were ready to leave the detective advised Scott that it might be a good idea to take his kids and go somewhere for a while and they would have an officer stay there around the clock as a sort of stake out in case the intruders returned.

 

            “You really think there was an intruder?”  Scott didn’t like the sound of that but admitted to himself that he suspected as much.

 

            “Until we can match up the fingerprints we found, we have to assume that there was.  We’ll keep you posted and if or when we find something or someone we’ll call you.”

 

            “Where do you suggest we go?  My buddy Kevin doesn’t live cheap you know.”

 

            The detective grinned and said Kevin was a big boy and looked like he could make his own arrangements.  He told Scott they would plant someone in the house for a week and if nothing suspicious happened then he could come back.

 

            Scott just shrugged and went back inside his house.

 

            “Hey Kev you’re gonna have to pack up your stuff because the kids and I are going to be out of here for about a week so the cops can stake out the house.”

 

            “Oh, thanks!  Nothing like giving me the heave-ho on a moment’s notice.”

 

            “I’m only tellin’ ya what the detective said.  I have to pack for myself and my kids so quit complainin’.  Just get enough to keep you for a week and then we can move back in.”

 

            “What’re you going to tell Jules?  This could upset her plans a little.”

 

            “I haven’t thought that far yet.  I just have to get my kids and their clothes out of here now and then when we get settled into a motel somewhere I’ll think about what to tell her.  Help me pack Cody’s stuff.  I already got Cassidy’s things together.”

 

            The guys were packed and waiting for the kids when they came home from school and were told they were going to stay at Disney World for the week.  Scott decided that was best so they wouldn’t be frightened and it would be fun.  He invited Kevin to join them.  If they were going to stand in long lines, he might need Kevin to do the standing for him.  Scott was no longer using the metal crutches but he did get nasty headaches yet and his lower back was still feeling the effects of the trauma from being hit from behind.

 

            Once settled into their motel room Scott ordered room service and sat the kids down in front of the tube to watch cartoons.  Kevin joined them and seemed to fit right in so it was a good call, inviting him along.

 

            This gave Scott time to think of what he would tell Julianne and when he knew, he made the call.

 

            “Hi Jules.”

                       

            “Scott!  I’m thrilled you called.”

 

            “Oh yeah?”  A huge grin came across his lips.

 

            “I finally ended my job and my lease on this apartment so I’m planning to leave this weekend.  I have my things in storage and Penny and I are all set.  We’re driving and Toni is coming along to help with that.  We should be at your place in a couple of days.  She can’t wait to meet you guys and the kids.”

 

            “Uh . . . ‘Houston we have a problem.’”

 

            “Oh no.  What’s wrong?”

 

            “Well Kevin found something suspicious in my guesthouse and I never saw it before se we called the police and they came right over to dust the place for fingerprints.  Then they told us to vacate the place for about a week and they’re planting a decoy to see if anyone shows up to claim it or try to get in.”

 

            “Oh!  Scott do you think someone broke into your place while you were in the hospital?”

 

            Scott filled Julianne in on what the detective said and told her the four of them were at a motel in Disney World until he heard from the police.

 

            “Hmm, well this does present a problem but maybe Toni and I can meet you in Kissimmee and spend some time with you there until it’s safe to return to your house.  Like I said, she’s dying to meet all of you.  I think Penny would love being with Cody and Cass too.”

 

            “You know that would be fun.  I’ll warn you though that Cass likes to dress up little dogs and cats in baby clothes.  Penny might not like that.”

 

            Julianne laughed hard and reassured Scott that Penny is very patient and would put up with a little girl dressing her up.

 

            “Well ok then, give me a call when you get close to Kissimmee and we’ll meet up.  Maybe this was a good thing after all.”

 

            “Scott, nothing can keep us apart if we really want to be together.  I just hope the police get to the bottom of all this soon and you can get your life back to normal.”

 

            “Whatever that is.”  Scott chuckled.  “Well I better get back to the kids and tell them we’ll have some company in a few days.  They love you and we’ll all get to know Toni a little bit too.  I’m glad you’re doing this Jules.”

 

            “Me too.  I love you Scott.”

 

            “Love you too Jules.  Have a good trip and get here safely.”

 

Two days of fun in the sun at Disney World was more than two young kids could stand.  They had the best Dad in the world!  On top of that, Julianne was coming and bringing her little dog with her.  They would have a new little playmate and could hardly wait for them to arrive.

 

            Kevin was a big help with the kids at the theme park but at times he was as much like a kid as they were.  The funniest site was seeing him in the big Tea Cup ride with Cody and Cassidy.  Scott had to get a picture of that to rib him about later.

 

            By the time they all came back to the motel, there was a message waiting for them from Julianne.  She and Antoinette had arrived by the middle of the afternoon and were relaxing at a nearby park that allowed her to bring Penny with her.

 

            It was about 5:00 PM when Julianne’s cell phone rang.

 

            “Hello!  How are you?  Exhausted?”

 

            “Me?  Kevin is the one who is exhausted.  He’s not used to traipsing around with two young kids all day in the hot sun.  You ought to see the picture I took of him this afternoon.  He was sitting in this huge Tea Cup with them and he looked like a dork!”

 

            “Oh man that is too funny.”  Julianne shared this with Antoinette and they were almost hysterical from Scott’s description of him.

 

            “So where are you guys?  I’ll meet you and you can come back here and stay.  I’m putting you both up and the motel allows dogs.  I checked earlier.”

 

            “Scott that’s really generous but you don’t have to put us up . . . ouch!  Toni!  She just pinched me and said I should button it up.”

 

            “Smart friend you have.  She’s right too.  You two are my guests while we’re all here so I’m paying.  No more arguments!”

 

            “Alright, I’ll go along with it.”  Julianne told Scott where they were and he was there within 15 minutes.  The car barely came to a stop and Scott was out of the door and throwing his arms around Julianne.  He had done really well in therapy and was almost like a new man.  Strong and healthy, and Antoinette noted, really good looking in person.

 

            “Hi Toni, it’s sure nice to meet you.  I told Kevin to be on his best behavior while you’re here.”

 

            “Now why would you do that?”  Antoinette teased.

 

            “You don’t know what a pig he can be.”

 

            Julianne gave him a nudge and told him she already filled her friend in on what an excellent man Kevin is so she knew better.

 

            Scott kissed Julianne on the cheek and then asked Antoinette if she and Penny would like to follow them to the motel.  It was just a few miles away.  She agreed so Julianne got into Scott’s car and they drove over to his motel.

 

            “I’ll send my valet down to get your bags so don’t knock yourselves out carrying them up.  I reserved the room right next to ours so we’ll all get well acquainted while we’re here.”

 

            “Kevin is your valet?”  Julianne asked, knowing that was what Scott meant.

 

            “Yeah he’s been filling in for me a lot with the kids so I’m sure he won’t mind fetching and carrying your things.”

 

            “What’s that about a valet?”  Kevin came around the corner with two children in tow.  “If you’re thinking me, I’m about tied up with these” . . . he saw Antoinette and stopped mid sentence and just stared at her for a second or two and then continued.  “I’ll get those bags right now ladies.”  This time with a huge smile and eyes all but bulging out of his head.

 

            “Toni maybe you can show Kevin to our car.”  Julianne said as she gave a wink over her shoulder to her astonished friend.

 

            Julianne and Scott didn’t wait for an answer.  They each grabbed a kid’s hand and went back to the room he and Scott shared.  Before they reached the room, Cody already had Penny’s leash and the three youngest members of the group were best pals.

 

            “I can see this is going to work out fine.  She doesn’t go for just anybody but she didn’t even look back at me to make sure I was following her so she likes the kids a lot.”  Julianne knew if little Penny weren’t secure she would have held back and waited for her “mom” to catch up.

 

            The kids were in the room and had Penny up on their bed in no time, leaving Scott and Julianne a moment alone in the hallway to say their proper hellos.  They didn’t have much time though because Kevin and Antoinette were hot on their heels.  Kevin was completely comfortable in the company of a luscious woman like Antoinette, but she was so much in awe of Kevin that she was thrown off balance when she was left alone with him.

 

            “Ok stop the kissy face, we’re right here.  Jules, I think Toni is disappointed.  She has hardly said two words to me.”

 

            “N-no!  I’m not disa-I mean . . . why would I be disappointed?”  Antoinette was clearly embarrassed and wanted her friend to rescue her.  Being left alone with a stunning super star like Kevin Nash was the last thing she expected and she was not prepared for the reaction she got from him when he first saw her.

 

            “Kevin I’m sure Toni isn’t disappointed.  It’s been a very long drive and she did more than her fair share of it so give her a break.  When we’ve both rested you will see what a charming and sweet thing she is.”  Antoinette brushed past her and knocked her in the elbow with her bag.

 

            “I think we better get to our room and get freshened up a little.  I feel grimy.”

 

            “Toni’s right.  I know I’ll feel better after I’ve showered and changed.  Will you two please give us at least a half an hour to get ourselves together?”

 

            “Sure, and then we can go somewhere for dinner.”  Scott hung onto Julianne’s waist a little longer and pulled her to him for one more kiss and then let her go to her room.  There was a twinkle in her eyes that Scott knew he had put there and it was a huge temptation to pull her back to himself but the kids and a little dog were in his room making the most incredible ruckus so he let her leave and he dealt with them.

 

            When the girls were alone in their room, Antoinette thanked Julianne for ditching her with Kevin.

 

            “What?  You didn’t like having him all to yourself?”

 

            “Not like that.  Man give me a little coaching next time you send me off alone with a God.”

 

            “I’m sorry Toni.  The way you carried on about him on the way down here I thought you couldn’t wait to get your hands on him.  I won’t do that again.  I promise.”

 

            “That was because I was expecting to see the Kevin I see on RAW.  Not the man as he is in person.  You might have told me I was going to be awestruck when I saw him.”

 

            “Really?  Awestruck?  I guess I didn’t get the same reaction you did.”

 

            “Oh, excuse me.  You didn’t get that reaction to seeing Scott for the first time huh?”

 

            “Well, maybe.”  She laughed and ducked when Antoinette threw a bed pillow at her.

 

            “You better hit the shower first so you can go and take your little Penny in hand.  It sounds like she and the kids are knocking the walls down in there.”

 

            “I think you’re right.  I’ll just be a few minutes.”

 

            The water started running in the shower and Antoinette told her not to use up all the hot water and then started unpacking.  As she was putting some of her things in a dresser drawer, there came a knock on the balcony door.

 

            A little startled, Antoinette peeked through the blinds to find Kevin standing there on their adjoining balcony, grinning at her and asking if she could step out for a minute.

 

            Antoinette’s stomach felt a little knot tying in it but she opened the sliding door and stepped out onto the balcony.  Kevin was so tall and his upper body was so massive that even Scott was almost dwarfed next to him.  She couldn’t quite take it all in.  Here was the man she had watched since the days he performed as Diesel and she was just breathless looking at him.  His arms were so large and smooth but they were well chiseled too.  She guessed that if she tried to put her arms around his chest that she wouldn’t be able to reach.  What on earth would he want with her?

 

            “Toni, Scott was thinking that he would just order in for he and Jules and the kids because she might not want to leave Penny here alone the first night in a strange room.  If she agrees to that, I was thinking that I could take you to dinner and show you a good time at Disney World.  What do you say?”

 

            “What do I say?  I say that sounds like a great idea.”  She was still nervous about being alone with him but at least this was on their own terms and they weren’t going to be totally alone.  They would be in crowds of people.  “I’ll run it by Jules and see what she thinks.  Thanks for asking Kevin.  And thanks for giving me an opportunity to make a better impression on you.”

 

            “Better?  Are you kidding?  How much better could it get?”  Kevin just erupted in laughter and hugged Antoinette.  “We’re going to get along real good.  Just let me know when you’re ready and we’ll get going.”

 

            Kevin walked back into their room and closed the door.

 

            As soon as Julianne vacated the shower Antoinette dashed in there and quickly relayed Scott and Kevin’s plans and told her she would like to do as Kevin suggested.

 

            “Aha!  I knew it.  You do want to see more of him.”

 

            “Well yes I do, but I want to be the one to plan things, not have them planned out for me like a blind date or something.  Do you mind just staying back here with Scott and the kids?  I don’t know how late we’ll be but I’ll try not to be too late.”

 

            “I’m sure Kevin won’t keep you too late.  He needs to be back in case Scott needs him because he is Scott’s valet after all.”  They both laughed and Antoinette showered and finished dressing and getting pretty for her date.

 

            “Well how do I look?”

 

            “You will knock Kevin’s socks off Toni.”

 

            “I don’t think he wears any.”

 

            “Touché!  You got me that time.  I forgot.  Well then are we ready to make our grand entrance?”

 

            “Lead the way Jules.  And remember, I get the God with the long blond mane.”

 

Scott opened the door to find two beauties standing in the hallway saying they hoped they weren’t rushing the guys.

 

            Leaning in toward Julianne Scott gently brushed back her hair with his hand, whispered in her ear that she was a sight for sore eyes and softly kissed her neck.  He then turned to Antoinette and said that she would dazzle Kevin.

 

            “Oh stop already!  I expect to be dazzled by him.”

 

            “Well come on in.  My kids will let you know if you’re dressed ok to go out with their Uncle Kevin.”

 

            “Wo-hoo!  I think she looks great!”  This from Cody.

 

            “Well Cassidy?  What do you think?  Should I take Toni out dressed like that?”

 

            Cassidy suddenly got a little timid and hid behind Scott’s leg, giving Antoinette a shy smile.  Antoinette reached around Scott and took Cassidy’s hand and said she couldn’t believe this was the same little girl who was whooping it up in here when they brought Penny in to play.  Then she tickled Cassidy which brought a squeal of delight from the little tyke.

 

            “So, Cassidy, do I have your approval?”  Cassidy nodded and hid behind her Dad again.

 

            “What a sweetie you have Scott.  Thanks so much for including me in this happy little family unit.  I don’t have any family except Jules and we’re only related through Penny so this means a lot.”

 

            Julianne and Antoinette shared a laugh and explained that Antoinette is Penny’s favorite Auntie.  Kevin said he figured as much.  He thought Penny was a charming little Corgi and he was making friends with her already.

 

            “I think it’s time for us to go get something to eat.  I’ve been smelling what Scott had delivered and it’s making me hungry.  So, are you ready Toni?”

 

            “Yes I’m ready.  Where are we going?”

 

            “I know a great place not far from here that I used to go to with Sean and I haven’t been there for a long time so I’m overdue for their seafood.  I hope you like that.”

 

            “What’s not to like?”  Antoinette let him lead the way down the hallway and to the car Scott rented.  Once buckled into the convertible Kevin turned on the stereo and put in a CD of his choosing.

 

            “Hope you don’t mind but I like a little jazz.  It relaxes me.”

 

            “I like jazz.  That’s fine with me.”  Antoinette was starting to get a little more comfortable with Kevin so she closed her eyes and leaned her head back and let her hair blow in the balmy summer breeze.  Kevin looked over at her and was struck by her luxurious raven hair and her flawless beauty.  He tried to remember the color of her eyes.  It almost seemed that they were Hazel Brown but now that they were shut he wasn’t sure.  She had an Olive complexion and with a name like Toni he guessed she was Italian.

 

            With her eyes still closed, she felt him watching her and said if he didn’t keep his eyes on the road they would have dinner at the hospital instead of his favorite restaurant.  Kevin wondered how she knew but she was right.  He had hardly been able to take his eyes off of her since he met her and he was definitely impressed with her.

 

            “Ok, you caught me.  I’m going to have to have a talk with Jules about not warning me about you before we met.”

 

            “What’s that supposed to mean???”

 

            “She could have told me that you’re such a beautiful lady.”

 

            “Oh, that.  Well you’ll get over that once you get to know me better.”  She opened her eyes and winked at him and sent him into hysterics.  Antoinette didn’t say it to Kevin but she liked teasing him and he really seemed like he had a crush on her.  That was fine with her as long as he respected her boundaries.  She didn’t set up barriers as high as Julianne did with Scott but she still had a conscience and he needed to respect that.  She still needed to face the rest of the world the next day so they had to move slowly.

 

            Back at the motel, everyone was enjoying Pizza and sodas and trying not to let Penny get any of it.  That was hard because she was a real opportunist but Julianne had strict rules and laid them down for the kids.  No table scraps and Penny would stay healthy and happy.  It was as simple as that.  The kids respected her and Scott did his best to keep his on his plate too.

 

            The kids had played hard and Cassidy was the first one to nod off so Scott picked her up and Julianne helped him get her pajamas on her and put her to bed.  A little later, while they were watching TV, Cody decided to listen to his Walkman and lay on his bed and it wasn’t long before he was also asleep.  Penny was snoozing at the foot of Cassidy’s bed so Julianne just left her there for a while.

 

            “It looks like we have the rest of the evening to ourselves Scott.  I would like to go out on the balcony and enjoy the evening breeze.  Is that ok with you?”

 

            “The view is pretty nice from there but it’s no nicer than the view from right here.”  He leaned over and gathered Julianne to himself and gave her a soft, sweet, drawn out kiss.  His breath on her neck was like a toxin.  She felt a wave go through her whole body and felt lightheaded and her eyelids fluttered as she almost gave into her urges.  It would be so easy to let him just take her but she knew she couldn’t.

 

            With a great deal of determination Julianne broke through the fog she was in and looked deep into Scott’s dark brown eyes and told him, with a tender glance at his kids, that it wasn’t the right time.

 

            “I know, and I won’t take advantage of you.  Let’s go out on the balcony and enjoy that view for now.”  Scott’s intense gaze made her melt and as they stood to go outside, she felt a little wobbly.  He caught her at the waist and steadied her until she got her balance again.  This caught Penny’s attention and Scott told her it was ok.  He was only trying to help her “Mom.”

 

            “It’s alright girl.  Scott is helping me walk so I don’t have to crawl or be carried to the door.”  Julianne reassured Penny and she lay back down and closed her eyes.

 

            “You know she is a good little watch dog.  I’m not sure she trusts me yet.  I better watch myself around you.”

 

            “That’s a good thing.  It will keep you off balance until it’s right for us to finish what we’ve started.”

 

            “Me?  If you weren’t almost ready to give in then what was that all about?”

 

            “Now you know the power you have over me.  It wouldn’t take much Scott and yet I need to be able to look at myself in the mirror so thank you for not taking advantage of me.  I was weak a few minutes ago but I came to my senses in time.  It helped that you agreed with me.”

 

            “I do Jules.”  Scott paused a moment and then continued, “Years ago I would have finished what I started in one night.  Women used to hang around the arenas and hope to go back to the motels with us and that was a real temptation, but it didn’t mean anything to me.  I was like a trophy to them and afterwards I always felt like I’d been used.”

 

            Julianne took Scott’s hand and said very quietly that she appreciated the way he felt, and that she didn’t look at him that way.  “You’re not my trophy Scott, you’re my treasure.  A treasure is to be kept safe and guarded at all cost.  That’s the way I feel about your heart and I’m so grateful that you have given it to me.  I promise to protect it and treat it with love.”

 

            This declaration so moved Scott that he took Julianne in his arms and cradled her head against his chest.  He didn’t say it aloud but to himself, “You think my heart is a treasure.  Well it’s beating just for you and when the time is right, you’ll wear the band that will tell the whole world that it’s yours only.”

 

            Julianne felt like she could have stood there forever in his arms but a little girl had needs and she made them known to her so she and Scott agreed it was probably time to call it a night.  It was hard to break away from their reverie but duty called so they said their goodnights and she took Penny out for a walk.

 

            Kevin and Antoinette both enjoyed their dinner but agreed they weren’t really in the mood to go to the theme park anymore so they just drove to a nice spot to enjoy the sunset and talk.

 

            The CD was still playing quietly as Kevin parked the car and as if on cue, a song that Antoinette had always liked began to play.  It was song by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald called “Under a Blanket of Blue.”  She softly started to sing along with it and Kevin arched an eyebrow, not realizing until then that she was a real songbird.

 

~Under a blanket of blue,
Just you and I beneath the stars.
Wrapped in the arms of sweet romance,
The night is ours.~

~Under a blanket of blue,
Let me be thrilled by all your charms,
Darling, I know my heart will dance,
Within your arms;~

~A summer nights magic,
Enthralling me so.
The night would be tragic,
If you weren’t here to share it, my dear~

~Covered with heaven above,
Let’s dream a dream of love for two,
Wrapped in the arms of sweet romance,
Under a blanket of blue.~

            He waited until the song was through and complimented her.

 

            “I’m a little self conscious about my voice.  It was never trained but I do love that song.”  Antoinette was feeling very relaxed after the long drive and then a wonderful dinner and now sweet jazz with a man she was very attracted to.  Kevin put his arm across the top of the seat, and without any prompting from him Antoinette slowly moved closer to him and let him put his arm around her shoulder.

 

            This was going to be very hard on Kevin but he knew things could heat up and it wasn’t wise to lose control so he just let her lean into him and tried to concentrate on the sunset.

 

            “Do you get sunsets like this in Madison?”

 

            “Not through the palm trees.  They do make a beautiful picture.”

 

            “I wonder if Scott and Jules are looking at the same thing we are.”  Kevin was trying to keep the conversation going.

 

            “I’m sure the kids are keeping them busy and they’re probably missing the whole thing.  They’re nice kids though.”

 

            “Do you like children?”  What made him ask that?

 

            Antoinette straightened up a little and said she did but she never had any of her own.  This question seemed to give her a far away look that puzzled Kevin.

 

            “Mind if I ask why not?”

 

            “My husband and I had agreed not to but later on we talked about it again and decided it was something we ought to reconsider.”

 

            “Your husband?”

 

            “Oh, I’m sorry Kevin.  I assumed Jules had told you.  I’m not married anymore.”  Now Antoinette really had a distant look on her face.  Kevin wasn’t sure whether or not he should continue this conversation but Antoinette continued it for him.

 

            “I don’t talk about it very often, but when we decided to reconsider having children he was diagnosed with Leukemia and he was gone in a few weeks.”

 

            What could he say to her?  He felt like she had dropped a bomb on him and yet it was her tragedy, not his.  “How-how long has it been, Toni?”

 

            “Mike has been gone for almost 8 years now but sometimes it seems like only 8 months.  I’ve ceased to mourn for him but the memories can be pretty vivid at times.  An evening like this can bring them back but I really wasn’t thinking about him until we started talking about children.”

 

            “I’m sorry Toni.  It’s my fault.”

 

            “No, it isn’t Kevin.  I brought up the children, not you.  My memories are sweet and when I think of Mike I don’t get depressed or cry.  I just feel so grateful to have had such a wonderful man in my life for as long as I did.”

 

            He felt such a pang for her that he gave her shoulder a squeeze.  Antoinette looked up at Kevin and smiled through misty eyes.  She tried to hide it but there was a little tear starting and she didn’t want to spoil their evening so she changed the subject.

 

            “So, how long have you and Scott been close friends?”

 

            Kevin was relieved that Antoinette had changed the subject.  He felt an instant need to comfort her when he thought she might lose it but she rallied and brought up a subject that was close to his heart.  They spent the rest of their evening finding out about one another and when they returned home a new friendship had blossomed, and to their surprise, they felt an even greater attraction to each other.

 

            “Thank you for such a wonderful evening Kevin.  Scott was right, you were on your best behavior tonight and you were a real gentleman.  I find that very sexy in a man.”

 

            “You do???”

 

            “Yes.  I find that a man with self-control really attracts me.  Maybe it’s the tension it breeds but I like it.”

 

            Now Kevin didn’t know whether he should kiss her goodnight or not.  What was he expected to do?

 

He said he had a great time with her and began to go toward the room he shared with Scott and the kids when Antoinette touched his arm.  She had wanted him to kiss her all evening but felt he must not want to or he would have by now.  The touch was all he needed from her and he bent over her and felt her lips graze his cheek lightly.  Not moving away from him she felt his face next to hers and she whispered that she hoped he would ask her out again.

 

            There was real tension between them, more like electricity, and wherever she touched him, Kevin felt a tingle go through him.  This dark beauty was lingering, waiting for him to kiss her and he wasn’t sure of what he should do.  Finally she tilted her head back just enough to gaze into his eyes and he knew in an instant.

 

            “Toni, I’ve wanted to do this all evening.” Kevin wrapped his arms around her shoulders and drew her to him.  The kiss lasted for several minutes and at times the intensity would have made her pull away but the pressure of his lips was so gentle that it made her feel light as a feather in his arms.  She could have floated out but for his amazing arms around her, flexing at times and then relaxing as his own emotions and desires coursed through him.

 

            This was the kind of passion she had never known, even with her late husband and it thrilled her but it was also the kind of passion that could lead to something she wasn’t ready for yet with Kevin.

 

            Antoinette slowly pulled her head back and ended their kiss softly brushing her lips over his cheek and slowly her eyes went from his lips to his eyes.  They were smiling back at her and telling her that he wanted to be with her.  Their breathing was slightly uneven with both of them unwilling to leave the other.

 

It had been a very long time since Antoinette had dated so she wasn’t ready to jump head first into any relationship and this one would be long distance just like Scott’s and Julianne’s had been.  She hoped she was up for it.  Time would tell but for tonight they would both go to bed in a state of euphoria, knowing the other one was in the next room, just a few feet away.

 

For Scott and Julianne it was much the same, given the fact that they came very close to giving in themselves.  So it seems the only ones who got much sleep that night were the kids and the Corgi.

 

A new day was upon 4 very exhausted and emotionally drained adults and they had 2 very excited kids and 1 little dog, who were always ready for a romp, on their hands.

 

            “Oh man,” Kevin yawned, “it can’t be that time already.  I swear I just got to sleep.”

 

            “You should be tired as late as you got in.”

 

            “You were watching the clock?”

 

            “Nah, I was awake though and I glanced at it when you came in the door.  I don’t know when you got back here but I know you two were outside the door for a long time.”  Scott said with a cranky voice, looking at Kevin through slit eyes.

 

            “Oh, sorry if we kept you up, old man!”  Kevin wasn’t taking any junk from Scott and he let him know it.

 

            “I didn’t say you kept me up, I just said I was awake when you came back, that’s all.  Don’t be so sensitive.”

 

            “Well we were talking.  That’s all!”

 

            “Hmph!  I didn’t hear any talking for several minutes.  Were you two signing?”

 

            Kevin had heard enough.  He threw a pillow hard at Scott and expected one right back so he ducked but none came.  Scott just sat there holding the pillow and looking at Kevin like he wasn’t sure who he was looking at anymore.

 

            “WHAT?”

 

            “Shh, you’ll wake up the neighbors on the other side of us.  Maybe they don’t have kids who get up at the crack of dawn like I do.”

 

            “Yeah, maybe their little dog is still snoozing.”  They heard a little yip and knew it wasn’t so.

 

            “Nice going.  Now they have us to blame for making them get up at this ungodly hour.”

 

            Kevin just shrugged.  “What’d I do?”

 

            “Aww forget it.”

 

            “So why were you awake when I came back?  You’re never awake that late.  I can make tons of noise and you never even remember it in the morning.”

 

            “I don’t know.  Maybe it was a nice evening and I didn’t want it to end.  All I know is that even after you started snoring I was awake.”

 

            “Me?  Snoring?  You know, come to think of it, I didn’t hear you snoring at all.  You must’ve been awake all night.  What’s wrong Scott?  You losing your edge?”

 

            “Ha-ha!  Keep it down and I’ll tell you if you can keep it zipped up.”

 

            Kevin raised an eyebrow and gave Scott a “do tell!” look.”

 

            Scott began talking quietly while the kids ate their breakfast and watched cartoons on the tube.  “It ain’t what you think.  It’s more than that.  Nothing happened here but it almost did.  It could have and it’s getting harder to control.”  Scott was serious and it wasn’t just that he was complaining about not getting any, it was more like he was trying to maintain a mature relationship with Julianne and it was going to be a lot harder than he realized.

 

            “Right here?  With the kids in the room?”  Kevin whispered.

 

            “Right here and with the kids in the room, but we stopped before we went too far.  Kevin, you know how it used to be with women coming on to us all the time.  They acted like they won the big one if they spent the night with us.  Well it got to be like a habit for me and for the first time I’ve got real respect for a beautiful lady and she has a lot of respect for herself.  But every time I’m with her I have to remind myself that she’s not like those other women.  And am I losing my edge?  I don’t think so.  I feel like I’ve found my edge, finally.”

 

            “Well, well, well, it sounds like my little buddy is finally growing up.”

 

            “’Bout time.”  Scott was taking a hard line with himself and with Kevin.  “I expect you to treat Toni the same way big guy.  So you better not have done anything last night.”

 

            “I told you we didn’t do anything.”

 

            “Just made goo-goo eyes at each other, huh?”  Scott laughed as the other pillow came flying at him.

 

            They heard a soft knock at the door and Cody answered before his Dad could tell him to ask who it was first.  He caught a serious look from Scott and Julianne said his Dad was right to get after him.  Cody started to object but she took him in hand and said he didn’t have a leg to stand on so he better go sit down again and mind his Dad.

 

            As Antoinette stepped in the door, Kevin’s face said it all.  Scott caught the expression on Kevin’s face and gave him a suspicious look but didn’t say anything.  She cautiously worked her way across the room to the bed Kevin was sitting on and he moved over so she could sit down.  From the way Kevin jumped up and moved, Scott and Julianne both knew something was up.

 

            “Boy, it’s late to bed and early to rise around here.  Don’t you people ever sleep?”  Antoinette whimpered with a sheepish grin on her face.  Just then a little dog jumped up on the bed and nosed her way in between them and settled down getting comfy and cozy.

 

            “Kevin, did I tell you that you’re her favorite wrestler?  She is so bored when we watch RAW until you stride down to the ring and she just perks right up.”  Julianne teased.

 

            “Yeah, she gives me suspicious looks and then turns around and slobbers all over you.”  Scott chimed in.

 

            “Hey, can I help it if I have that effect on the ladies.”  He turned to Antoinette and said “ok, no slobbering.”

 

            She just shook her head.  Antoinette thought to herself, he’s such a big goof and yet I can’t seem to get enough of him.  He’s just like a great big teddy bear.

 

            “So what’s on the agenda today?  It’s our first full day here and we thought it might be fun to go to a beach if there are any nearby.”  Julianne thought it was a good time to get things rolling.

 

            “There’s a beach around here but I have to pick up some more sun block for the kids.  They used it up at the pool yesterday so we can get that on the way.  Hey, who wants to spend the day at the beach?”

 

            Two wild kids yelled, “we do!”

 

            “Alright, lets get our stuff together and go.”

 

            The women went back to the room and Julianne took Penny down to the desk to get someone to pet sit for the day and then came back to help get the kids ready.

 

            “Hey Jules,” Scott whispered as she came to their door.  “You see anything strange between Kev and Toni?”

 

            “I think I saw what they saw between us.  I know they came in late because I was awake and it seemed to take a long time for them to say goodnight but I don’t know what went on.  Did Kevin say anything to you?”

 

            “I asked him why it took so long to say goodnight but he said nothing happened and yet I did see something between them this morning.”

 

            “Scott, I think they behaved last night but it might be as hard for them as it is for us.  Let’s not get down on them and just see how things develop.  You know he’s not my type but he is sort of like Mike and I can see why she is attracted to him.”

 

            “You mean Mike was a big guy too?”

 

            “No, but he had a sense of humor a lot like Kevin’s and was just as sweet.  I’m not saying she sees Mike in him but she sees the same things she loved in Mike, but this time in Kevin.”

 

            “Well, maybe you’re right.  I’ll lay off of Kevin if you think they’re trying to slow things down.”

 

            “I know it’s hard to do.”  She said in a breathy voice as she ran her fingers through Scott’s hair and looked at him with bedroom eyes, making him wish he hadn’t taken such a hard line.

 

            As Scott put his hands on her waist Cassidy ran out of the restroom with her swimming suit and flip-flops on.  “Where’s my horse?”

 

            “Her horse?”  Julianne asked, relieved for the interruption.

 

            “Her thing she wears around her tummy in the pool.”

 

            “Ah, that horse.”  Julianne grinned at Scott and cocked her head slightly to one side.  He knew what that “look” meant and scooped up his little daughter in his arms making her squeal all the way down to the car.  Julianne was right.  Lighten up on Kevin and Antoinette and keep you’re own nose clean.

           

With kids in tow, the four of them left the motel in one car and headed for the Drug store and then the beach.  It promised to be a great day of Sun and fun with only a few clouds in the sky so the kids would have Sunblock and the adults would try their best to get tan, and not red.

 

            “What are we gonna have for lunch?”

 

            “Cody!  It’s 9:00 in the morning.  We just got through with breakfast so don’t worry about lunch.  We’ll pick something up and have it at the beach.”  Scott told him.

 

            “Dear, we can take a break at about 11:00 and go get something so you and your sister won’t starve to death.”  Julianne laughed.

 

            “Ok, just so long as I get to go along and help pick it out.”

 

            “Cody!”

 

            Julianne put her hand on Scott’s and patted it and then to Cody, “we’ll be sure to take orders and get what everyone wants.  No need to panic.”

 

            Just then they turned into the drive to the beach and kids were about to start piling out of the car when the Dad in the group locked the doors from his side door panel.

 

            “Hey who-,”

 

            “I did Cody!  Nobody gets out of the car until I lay down a few rules.  No. 1-all kids report to an adult in the group before they go in the water or get something to eat or have to go to the bathroom.  No. 2-all adults includes Kevin.  No. 3,-” (Kevin just gave Scott a ‘thanks a lot look’ and Scott gave him a ‘you’re welcome look’ as he continued with no. 3) any kid who goes too far out in the lake gets to stay up on the blanket with an adult.  No. 4-too far out is wherever I tell you.  Any questions?”

 

            “No, except are we gonna have any fun?”

 

            “Maybe!”  Scott grinned at Cody and said he was coming with him and Julianne.

 

            Scott then unlocked the doors and everyone got out slowly in case there were any more rules he forgot to mention.

 

            Kevin told Cassidy she was such a good girl that she could play on their blanket.  (Their, meaning his and Antoinette’s.)

 

            “Funny how those two paired off isn’t it?”  Scott whispered to Julianne.

 

            “Well they’re in plain sight and they have your baby with them so I think they’ll be good.”

 

            “Yeah she’s a good chaperone.  Remember when she barged in on us earlier?  We could have wound up like last night again and . . .”

 

            “No, we couldn’t have.  We have an understanding after last night and I intend to hold you to that.”

 

            “But,”

 

            She gently put her index finger on his lips and mouthed the word “No.”  Then Julianne started opening the blanket to lay it out for them.  Scott stood and watched her a moment and then decided to help her.  Not that it was a difficult task but he knew she was right.  He just wanted to make a statement by not chipping in and being “the man” instead.  She didn’t seem to notice so he gave that up and figured it was better to just go along with her.

 

            She would have her hands full with one kid, she didn’t need two of them, so the better position to take was in support of the woman he prayed would become the stepmother of his two most precious possessions.

 

            “Cody, will you please get out the Sunblock and the beach towels for me?”  Julianne cooed.

 

            “Sure!” Cody was a willing participant.

 

            “Thank you.  Will you please take a towel and the Sunblock over to your sister when I get some on you?”

 

            “Ok!”

 

            Julianne rubbed it on Cody’s shoulders and on his face and then sent him to Kevin and Antoinette’s blanket.

 

            “How’d you get him to be so cooperative?  He’d have argued with me.”  Scott was dumbfounded at the way Cody responded to her.

 

            “Simple.  I find I get more, meaning better, response from children if I ask nicely instead of just giving out orders.  I know you’re the authority figure to them so I won’t undermine your efforts but I try to get the same results by doing it my way.  If my Mom had ordered me about she wouldn’t have had such a nice daughter years ago.”

 

            Scott shook his head and put his big hands around Julianne’s waist and said her Mom still has a pretty wonderful daughter and he hoped his kids turned out half as special as she is.  “In fact, if you’re not doing anything in about 6 months, maybe you could help me with them.”

 

            Julianne didn’t look at him because she dared not but she said quietly that she thought she was already helping him with them.

 

            Again, Scott felt so humbled by one of her kind and unassuming remarks.  He agreed that she was and just sat quietly next to her, holding her hand and running his fingers over it.  It was so soft that it felt like silk and he marveled at the way she kept her hands.  He’d noticed how attractive they were before but he never really concentrated on them until now and he felt like he was holding something soft, precious and rare in his own hand.

 

            “Ok, Cass has stuff on her.  Can I go swimming now?”

 

            “As long as you only go as far as your Dad said to.  Do you remember how far that is?”

 

            “No.  He didn’t tell me yet.”

 

            Julianne looked pointedly at Scott and asked how she was supposed to help him with that rule unless he did his part?

 

            Scott jumped up, threw off his shirt and grabbed Cody’s hand and they were in the water in no time.  Julianne had thought he would just point to a marker or something but instead he went full throttle into the lake and then head first.  The water was really cold and he thought it would be the best way to get used to it so he did it automatically.  He came up and swam out a ways, stopping to check the depth every ten feet or so.  He made it to the first marker and stopped.

 

            “Aww, Dad!  That’s not very far.  Can’t I go a little deeper?”

 

            “We’ll see.  If you show me you can be responsible today, we’ll see.”

 

            “Ok.  Thanks Dad.”

 

            Scott was prepared for some grief from Cody but instead he didn’t argue with him.  What Julianne had told him worked.  Maybe he should change his tactics a little.

 

            Julianne was smiling, watching him return all wet and strikingly handsome when Scott came back to the blanket and she stood to greet him.  “Was he satisfied with that?”

 

            “You know, he was.  I just talked to him the way you would have and he didn’t argue with me.  He even said thanks.”

 

            “Mmm, honey must have been dripping from those wonderful lips.”  Julianne licked her lips and batted her eyelashes a little, looking up into his fluid brown, shining eyes.  He looked so happy he could burst.  It wasn’t happy as in pride, but happy as in grateful beyond words.

 

            A sweet gentle kiss was his response.  Julianne melted almost immediately and pulled him down on the blanket beside her.  Scott put his hand on her shoulder and urged her to lie down and then he lay down beside her with his left hand on her waist, his right arm under her neck and he put his left leg over her left.  He had never seen her this way before, looking up at him and loving him so much.  Their bodies began to become entwined and one moment he was kissing her and the next he was on his feet and running into the ice cold water.

 

            Julianne sat up and in a moment she knew what was wrong.  She had felt “it” and knew he was trying to keep his word.  Not only that, they were at a public beach and such a sight was not well tolerated.  If he ran fast enough no one else would probably notice either.  She looked around to see if anyone was gawking and with some relief found that they weren’t.  Then the humor in the situation started to set in and before she knew it she was laughing loud and uncontrollably.

 

            “Hey Jules, what’s so funny?”  Kevin knew but didn’t blurt it out.

 

            “Nevermind!” She was still unable to control her laughter.

 

            Julianne wanted to go in the water too but now was not the time because the best place for her was not near Scott.  She saw him swim out a long ways and then back in toward Cody and some other boys he was playing with in the water and she decided it was a good time to try for that tan.  “Toni always tans,” she thought to herself, “why do I have this kind of skin that I have to worry about?”  No matter, she just grabbed the Suntan oil and rubbed it on.  “Toni, will you please help me out and rub some of this on my shoulders and back?”

 

            When Antoinette, Kevin and Cassidy joined her, Antoinette asked what happened.  “Scott was kissing you and then the next thing I knew he was running to the water like a race horse.”

 

            Kevin said “More like a stud you mean.”

 

            Julianne looked at Cassidy and then at him in disbelief, as if to say “Hel-lo!” and he got the point.  “Oh, ok. ‘Us little kids’ will go back to our blanket and build a sand castle.”  His eyes bugged and his eye brows arched as if to say “we know when we’re not wanted,” followed by a HUGE grin that said he knew what she had been laughing about.  Julianne turned red in the face and he turned back to tell her she better get something on her cheeks because they were already getting burned and walked away guffawing.

 

            “Oo I’ll get him for that!” She laughed.

 

            Antoinette just blinked and looked confused.

 

            “Toni, really!”  She gave her a “don’t be so lame” look and suddenly Antoinette’s face started turning red.  “The light bulb finally went on I see.”  Antoinette covered her mouth with her hands and too late realized she had oil on them.  This set Julianne off even more.  “What a pair we make.”  They were just hysterical.

 

            When they calmed down Antoinette started rubbing the oil into Julianne’s shoulders and back, then put the bottle back in her beach bag. 

 

“Thanks for putting that on me Toni.  So what were you and Kevin talking about?”

 

            “Oh, just thtuff.”  Antoinette wiggled her eyebrows.

 

            “You know I wasn’t going to say anything but I was awake when you came in last night and I don’t think you slept much.  Was it something he said?”

 

            “Jules, do you think I’m the kind of girl who,-”

 

            “who kisses and tells???”  Julianne finished her sentence for her.

 

            “Well I’m not that kind of girl so . . . well alright, since you dragged it out of me.”

 

            Laughing again, Julianne said “yeah, right, dragged it out of you.  C’mon, give it up.  I told you about my first kiss with Scott.”

 

            “I know, but this kiss was devastatingly awesome!  I mean it lasted for several minutes and was so passionate, and yet so soft.  I felt light as a feather in his massive arms.  His chest was practically as big as my whole body and his hair was so thick and luscious I just wanted to run my fingers through it all night.”  Antoinette said.

 

            “Go on, I’m listening.”

 

            “Jules, please!”

 

            “I want to know everything you said to each other and how many minutes ‘several’ are.”

 

            “I don’t remember all of-,”

 

            “Don’t give me that Toni, you’re most detail oriented person I know.  Just give it up right now!”

 

            Grinning from ear to ear, Antoinette shared all with Julianne and when she was through she agreed that it was probably just as special as her first kiss with Scott.  It was certainly longer and they had no interruptions.

 

            “Ok, I’m satisfied now.”

 

            “You ought to be!  I know I can count on you to keep this to yourself.”

 

            “Not to worry.  Even Scott won’t drag this out of me, just as I know Kevin would never drag out of you what I shared about my first kiss with Scott.”

 

            “We’re so much alike, you and I.”  Antoinette grinned at Julianne as she headed back over to the two darlings playing in the sand by her blanket.

 

            Scott didn’t come out of the water while there was a crowd gathering around Julianne but when Antoinette finally left her, he slowly made his way out of the water and up to where she was sitting.  She was trying hard to control her voice and to hide her grin.

 

            “Have a nice swim?”

 

            “Don’t start.”

 

Trying to keep a straight face was pretty hard to do but Julianne figured she had better or she might see a side of Scott she had never yet seen.  She just hoped Kevin and Antoinette would follow her lead.  Knowing Kevin as well as she did by now she had a feeling he wouldn’t so she excused herself for a minute on the pretense of checking on whether or not Cassidy needed more Sunblock.

 

            “Please hand me the Sunblock.”  She started rubbing some on Cassidy.  “Alright you two, no clever remarks or insinuations to Scott.”

 

            “Who me?”  Kevin objected.

 

            “Who else?!!  Look I was flattered and as far as I’m concerned he did the right thing so I don’t want any teasing going on.  I’m not sure I would have had the self control he did and I’m not sure you would have either Kevin so just so you know, I don’t want anything cute said or done, especially in front of”, she pointed at Cassidy.

 

            “You’re right Jules.  ‘We will honor your request.”  Antoinette looked directly at Kevin.

 

            “Alright, alright.  I’ll be discreet.”

 

            “Thank you.  I knew I could count on you.”

 

            She finished up with Cassidy who was oblivious to the topic they were discussing and went on playing in the sand.  Julianne gave her a peck on the cheek and told her what a good girl she was being and came back over to her own blanket.

 

            “Everything ok over there?”

 

            “Yes.  Cassidy was getting a little pink so I put more Sunblock on her.  Maybe she should put her shirt on now.  You hungry?  Maybe we could go for a lunch break now.  It’s about 11:30.”

 

            “Yeah I guess the kids might be getting hungry.  I know I’m starting to get a little bit too.  You want to come along or do you want me to take Kevin?”

 

            Julianne almost answered without thinking about it and then suddenly thought that maybe she couldn’t trust Kevin to not tease Scott when they were alone so, “I’d like to go with you.  I’ll let Cody know that he’s to report to Kevin and Toni.”

 

            “Good idea.  Thanks for looking out for him.”  He kissed her bare shoulder and waited for her to come back.

 

            Scott took Julianne’s hands in his when she returned.  He just stood looking at her smiling and somehow felt no embarrassment over what happened earlier.  “You are the best part of my life, besides my two kids, and I’m so happy you moved here.  I don’t know yet how things will work at home if the cops don’t find out anything, but I know one thing for sure.  I’ll find a way to make things work so we’re close enough, but not too close.”  He grinned at her and noticed a slight blush come to her cheeks.  “What’s this?”  He teased.

 

            She turned her head a little to the right, trying to hide the fact that she was trying not to blush.  He leaned in a ways and tried to see her face.  Julianne turned to the left and put her head down laughing.  Scott finally took her face in his hands and made her look at him.  She tried to pull her face away, still laughing, but couldn’t.

 

            “Scott!  Cut it ouuuut.”

 

            “What is this?  You’re blushing?  I should be blushing, not you.”

 

            “But you’re not.”  She tried not to giggle.  “You’re enjoying my discomfort.”

 

            Scott threw his head back and laughed.  He put his arms around her and held her tight for a minute and then released her a little.  “Oh I know, you’re a good girl and I won’t laugh at you anymore.”  He didn’t sound very sincere.

 

            Julianne tried to act like she was miffed but Scott wasn’t buying it.  “You enjoyed the kiss and ‘everything that came with it.’”

 

            “How do you know?”

 

            “Because I heard you laughing when I hit the water.”  His eyes narrowed and his brow was furrowed as he grinned at her.  Then he put his hands on her shoulders and told her he wasn’t ashamed of the way he reacted to kissing her and he hoped the time came soon when they could finish what they started.  “I know it won’t be until you wear my gold band but please don’t make me wait forever.”

 

            “Aren’t I worth waiting for forever?”  Julianne hoped he would give the right answer.

 

            “Hey Scott!  You going to get lunch or what?  Man we’re about to die here!”

 

            “Yeah I’m goin’.  Keep your shirt on.  Oh yeah, and put Cassidy’s shirt on her too.”

 

            He and Julianne walked to the car and took off.  She was kind of quiet but didn’t seem upset.  Still Scott wasn’t sure what she was thinking but he had a pretty good idea.  He was about to tell her he’d wait forever for her if necessary but Kevin interrupted him.  He would find a way to tell her that she didn’t expect.

 

            Driving down the street a ways he found a place that seemed perfect, at least by Cody’s standards, and pulled in.  They got out of the car and went in to place their order.

 

            “I’m glad they took off.  I’ve been wanting some time alone to pick up where we left off last night.”  Kevin picked up Antoinette’s hand and kissed her palm.

 

            She looked up into his Sea Blue eyes and had to look down again.  He was just too much and she wasn’t sure she was woman enough for him.

 

            “What is it Toni?”  He asked solemnly.  “You don’t feel the same way?”

 

            His expression changed from confident and romantic to tense and worried in a second.  Still, he held on to her hand.

 

            “Oh!  I do feel the same way.” Antoinette could hardly catch her breath.  She looked back up at Kevin and he could see she was going into meltdown.  She put her other hand on his cheek and locked him in a gaze for a moment, then she told him, “I’m a little rusty at all this yet so please don’t think I’m not interested Kevin.  I’m definitely interested.”  Antoinette gave him a pathetic little smile that tore at his heart.

 

            For Kevin, this started out to be a romp with a beautiful woman that he was probably only going to see for about a week and then wouldn’t see again for a long time.  Now, it was beginning to feel like he was falling for a beautiful woman he would only see for about a week and then not see again for a long time and he didn’t like that scenario.

 

            “Damn!  Now I wish they would get back here so we could go for a swim by ourselves.  I feel like a babysitter so they can have time to themselves.”

 

            “Well they don’t get much time to themselves with the others around” she pointed to the kids, “so I don’t mind too much.”  Antoinette leaned into Kevin’s chest and felt his arms, those big, muscular, beautifully smooth arms wrap around her and his breath on her neck.  “Oh, Kevin.  Do you have to do that?”  She leaned her head back with her eyes shut, her mouth partly open and he kissed the side of her neck.

 

            Antoinette’s breathing was suddenly rapid and at the same time very shallow, so much so that she began to hyperventilate.  Kevin grabbed a paper bag they had from buying the Sunblock and made her breath into it.  She was gasping for air and then the lights went out for a moment but she came around with him gently shaking her.

 

            This was so humiliating and Antoinette didn’t want to look at Kevin but he was hovering over her, blocking out the bright Sun so she had to look at him.  At first she thought she was lying on their blanket but as she came to her senses, she realized that the reason he was blocking out the Sun was because he was holding her in his arms.  He yelled at Cody to get one of the towels wet in the lake and bring it back quick.

 

            “Is she gonna be ok?”  Cody was stressed seeing Antoinette like this.  “Here’s the towel.”

 

            Kevin grabbed it from him and thanked him.  “Stay up here for a few minutes and watch your sister until I know that Toni is ok.”

 

            “I-I’m . . . ok.”

 

            “Sure you are.  How many fingers am I holding up?”

 

            “I can’t . . . see any . . . fingers.”

 

            “That’s what I thought.  I’ll let you know when you’re ok.  Now just be quiet for a few minutes and relax.”  Kevin liked this feeling of being her protector and caretaker.  It was a new feeling for him and he wasn’t letting go of it just yet.

 

            Antoinette knew this was different from the night before.  She was more in control then.  Now she felt so vulnerable and needy.  Whatever it was, she wanted to feel secure and the most secure place for her was in this giant man’s sheltering arms.  Kevin leaned forward and grazed her forehead and something inside Antoinette told her to hold on tight so she put her arms around his waist and, as weak as she felt, she tightened her grip on him and held on.

 

            Kevin sat quietly holding Antoinette and reassuring Cody that she was going to be fine.  It was nice now to have a calm, quiet moment to drink in the aura they both felt, unaware that there were others on the beach with them.

 

            Finally Antoinette stirred and told Kevin she felt alright now.  She didn’t loosen her grip on his waist but she was fine.

 

            “Well then, as soon as those two get back, what do you say we take a quick dip before we eat?  I’m getting kind of hot.  From the Sun.”  He added quickly.

 

            Murmuring into his chest, Antoinette asked if he was sure it was from the Sun.

 

            She felt happy in his arms. “Thank you for letting me love again.”  She uttered in her heart, and the power surging through her heart to his was unmistakable.  He breathed deep with satisfaction, knowing she was feeling what he was.  This may be the beginning of a long distance relationship but it was a beginning that was long overdue for both of them.

 

“I think we have everything Scott.  Cody should be pretty happy with your choice for lunch.”

 

            “There’s something else I need to do before we leave.”

 

            Julianne waited with their food sitting at the nearest table and sipping her Diet Pepsi while Scott went to the back to use the restroom.  There seemed to be something going on back at the drive up window that caught her attention.  Then the next thing she knew a girl walked over to her and asked her to come with her for a minute.

 

            She began to ask what was going on but the girl just picked up the bags of food and drinks and again asked Julianne to follow her.  With no apparent choice she followed the girl, somewhat confused but not wanting to make a scene.  When they got to the drive up window, the girl handed the order through the window to someone waiting for it who put it in the back seat of his rental car.  Now Julianne was about to protest but before she could the girl asked the driver if there was anything else he wanted.

 

            “Would you please tell the sweet lady with you that my answer is “Yes?”

 

            The girl looked back to see Julianne’s reaction but she wasn’t there any longer.  All the girl saw was the restaurant door swinging shut.

 

            Julianne was in the car in an instant with tears in her eyes and kissing Scott’s face all over.  He found the way to tell her what she had been waiting to hear for over a half-hour and didn’t care if the whole world looked on.  So, right there, in front of God and everybody, she kissed him and told him his wait was over.  She hadn’t meant to, but Scott had finally said the right thing, and fearing that he didn’t really feel as much for her as she did for him, she vowed in her heart that if he gave her the right answer then she would say what he had waited to hear.

 

            With the employees and other patrons looking on and applauding him, Scott pulled the car around to a parking spot and stopped.  Julianne was in his arms crying and telling him how much she loved him and couldn’t live without him and would never let him go, and on and on.

 

            Holding Julianne and trying to get her to stop crying he said in his sweetest tone, “Jules, Baby, I was going to tell you this at the beach but that bonehead interrupted me.  You know I would wait forever for you, if it took that long,” he added.

 

            Julianne didn’t stop crying.  With her heart bursting, she put her arms around his neck and held him so close to her.  Her eyes were shut tight and she whispered to him that she was so grateful for his love that she would never challenge him like that again.

 

            “You keep right on challenging me.  I need your influence in my life to keep me going in the right direction.  You’re good for me Babe.  You must be or I wouldn’t be doing the right thing now.”

 

            “The right thing,” she repeated.

 

            “We’ll get married as soon as you want to.  Sooner, if possible.”

 

            “Scott,” she whispered.  It was all she said, but it was enough.  She shifted and rested her hands on his chest.  She looked at his face and saw moist eyes looking back seriously, but so tenderly.  Julianne winced a little and hid her face in his shoulder.

 

            After a moment Scott suggested they might want to get back to the others with the food and drinks.  Julianne had forgotten all about the food in the back seat.

 

            “Oh no, I forgot about that.  The ice is probably melting by now and the food cooling off.”

 

            “Nah, that’s not our order.  They switched the bags.  Our order is on hold in there until we go through the drive up.”

 

            Julianne blinked!  “How did you know what I would say?”

 

            “I didn’t for sure.”

 

            “Yes you did!”  Scott pulled the car up to the drive up window and got the order.  “I love you Scott.”  Julianne was purring now and she moved very close to him as he drove back to the beach.

 

            Kevin saw them drive up and walked up to the car.

 

            “Well it’s about time!”

 

            No answer from Scott.

 

            “Hey!-oh, you got the food.  Never mind.”

 

            Scott did not move.  He sat with his arms around Julianne and she practically laid with her head on his chest and her eyes closed.

 

            “You two on this planet?”  Kevin finally gave up and just took the food out of the back seat of the car and took it back to his blanket.  The kids dove in with Antoinette and Kevin trying to get their fair share of it.

 

            “Where are they?” Antoinette asked.

 

            “In the car, not moving or saying a thing.  It was like they were in the Twilight Zone.  Very weird.  Anyway, Scott looked like he was zoning out and Jules looked like she just got a new lease on life.”

 

            Antoinette stopped eating and put her food down.  She didn’t say anything for a few seconds and then it registered with her.  She put her hands over her mouth and her eyes were wide.

 

            “What is it?  You look like you’ve seen a ghost.  I don’t look that bad when I eat do I?”  He laughed.

 

            Antoinette came to his side and whispered something in his ear.

 

            “No way!”

 

            “I think so.  I’m going to go take a peek.  You stay with the kids.”

 

            She was off before he could answer her.  It was just as Kevin had said.  There was a blissful look on Julianne’s face with her head still resting on his chest and she was reclining in the front seat with Scott’s arms around her cradling her like he would his little daughter.  His chin was resting on her head and he was saying something so low Antoinette couldn’t make it out but what she saw confirmed what she had suspected.

 

            Antoinette made her way back to the blanket and the look she gave Kevin told him she was right.  They looked at Cody and Cassidy and knew they were going to have a new Step Mom.  Kevin smiled at her and her eyes filled with tears of happiness for her best friend and for this little family which would soon grow by one.

 

            Not being interested in food anymore, Antoinette was restless to talk to Julianne and started pacing in the sand.  In about 10 minutes her wait was over.

 

            “I hope you guys didn’t starve to death until we got back.  I’m sorry we took so long.  That was my fault.  There seemed to be some mix-up with the order and we had to wait for the right one.”

 

            “Oh, was that all?”

 

            Antoinette nudged Kevin with her elbow.

 

            “No, that’s not all.  I made Jules cry at the drive up.”  Now Scott was beaming and Antoinette couldn’t hold back any longer.

 

            “I knew it!”  She grabbed Julianne and hugged her tight.  “I’m so happy for you two.”

 

            “We’re very happy too Toni.”  Julianne couldn’t hide it.

 

            “What’re you guys talking about?”

 

            Scott asked Cody and Cassidy to come over by him and Julianne.  “Jules and I have something to tell you.  I know you’re crazy about her, and she loves you like you were her own, so-” picking up Cassidy, “so ‘Daddy’ asked her to marry him and she said she will.  What do you think about that?”

 

            Cassidy smiled and reached for Julianne.  She took her and the little girl hugged her neck tight and gave her kisses.  They all laughed and then Scott asked Cody if this was alright with him.  Cody tried to pretend it didn’t matter to him but Scott knelt down to be on his level and looked him in the eyes.  The others didn’t see Cody’s face but they saw the reaction.  Soon Dad and Son were holding each other and a tear ran down the Dad’s face.  Then Cody, smiling, went to Julianne and hugged her.  She looked Heavenward and silently mouthed the words, “Thank you.”

 

            The group walked to Kevin’s blanket and Scott talked to him about his future plans and how they involved Kevin.  At the other end of the blanket Antoinette asked very low how Scott asked her.

 

            “He didn’t exactly ask me today but we had an understanding.  What happened today was sort of the ‘exclamation point’ at the end of the sentence.”  She told her about her challenge and how she had to wait for an answer, thanks to Kevin and how Scott finally did answer her.

 

            Kevin heard his name mentioned and asked what they were talking about.

 

            “Your great timing.”  Was Julianne’s answer.  The girls broke up laughing.  Kevin didn’t have a clue what that was about and just shrugged and went back to talking with Scott.

 

            “Well, did anything happen while we were gone?”

 

            “Oh, yes it sure did.”  Kevin now heard something he could answer to.

 

            “It was nothing we need to talk about now.”  She flashed him a warning look.  He was not daunted by that ‘look.’

 

            He gathered Cassidy into his arms and said in his childlike way “Our Toni passed out and had to be revived by a handsome prince.  Right Cass?”

 

            “Uh-huh.  And Cody helped.”

 

            “What’s this?  You passed out?”  Julianne was clearly shocked!

 

            “I just started hyperventilating is all and Kevin had me breathe into a paper bag and I . . .” she sighed, “I did pass out but only for a minute.  It was no big deal. You can see I’m just fine now.”  She tried to play it off as something trivial.

 

            “You’re fine now because of the TLC you received.”

 

            “Well, yes it was wonderful to be fussed over by a big strong man and a sweet young kid.”  She hugged Cody who turned a little red.

 

            “What did you do?” Julianne asked Kevin.

 

            “I-”

 

            “He asked her to tell him how many fingers he was holding up, but he wasn’t holding any-”

 

            “That’s enough Cody!”  Kevin snapped him with a wet towel.

 

            Cody started laughing and Kevin grabbed him and began tickling him.

 

            “So that’s how it is.  I see.”  Antoinette gave Kevin that ‘you wait!’ look.  He said he thought it was time for that swim she had promised him earlier before she fainted in his arms.

 

            Scott swatted Kevin and asked if that’s how he watches other people’s kids.

 

            “They were fine.  Cody kept an eye on Cassidy while I revived Toni.  They were right there with us the whole time.  Ask him.”

 

            “Yup we were right there watchin’ Kevin make Goo-goo eyes at Toni.”

 

            Kevin got up and started after Cody but Antoinette reached for his hand and said, “I thought this was my dance.”  Stopped Kevin right in his tracks.

 

            “Ok, little lady.  May I have this one?”

 

            They walked to the shore together and dove in the surf.

 

            “Now I know why Scott went running into the water before.  It’s enough to stifle any urge.”

 

            “You’re so bad.”  She laughed, and being the good swimmer she was, Antoinette was about three feet ahead of Kevin.  It didn’t take long for him to catch up to her and without warning he took her hand and pulled her under the water and they were both moving rapidly toward the ropes.  When they came up for air Antoinette and Kevin felt exhilarated by the cold water and playful from the buoyancy.

 

            Antoinette remembered her threat when she realized that Kevin hadn’t been holding up any fingers at all.

 

            “So how many fingers am I holding up?”

 

            “Come here and I’ll tell you.”  He didn’t wait for Antoinette to come to him.  He was right in front of her in a second, putting his hands on her waist and drawing her to him.  She might have struggled a little but his kiss was so overwhelming that she succumbed to him and it lasted as long as the first one they had shared.

 

            Her heart was pounding hard in her chest and she told him he would have to stop doing that or she would pass out again.

 

            “I’ve got you if you pass out again.  You better not though.  You better get used to this because I have more in store for you than just kisses.”

 

            A wild look flashed in her eyes and then she took control again, only this time she was the one who pinned one on Kevin.  “If you think you’re the only one with plans, think again Kevin.  We Italians are hot blooded and we know how to live large so get your feet planted firmly and securely.  I’m going to be the only one in your sights from now on.”

 

            A huge grin came over his lips and they dove further out into the deep part of the lake, leaving the party on the shore to wonder what was happening.  Out of earshot of the little group watching them, Antoinette and Kevin started to forge a new relationship that would prove interesting and exciting.

 

            “It looks like we may not be the only ones with a happy future.”  Julianne put her arm around Scott’s waist and the two sat and played with the kids in the sand the rest of the afternoon.

 

            “Life’s so good now.  I had a lot of years of trouble and I caused most of it Jules.  But now it looks like the best is still ahead of us.”

 

            She smiled gratefully at Scott and then reached for Cassidy’s little hand.

 

            “Cassidy, honey, let’s build a moat to go around this castle.  Ok?”

 

            “Ok.”

 

Later that day:

 

“Hey Kev, Toni!  You two ready to go back to the rooms now?  We’re heading back.”

 

            They both answered in unison that they’d rather stay at the beach for a while.  “The hotel isn’t that far and we’ll grab some dinner on the way back so don’t wait for us to eat.”  Kevin was making plans off the top of his head but it sounded good to Antoinette so she didn’t argue.

 

            “Ok, but we have to get back so the kids can take a bath and get clean clothes on.  ‘Somebody’ let Cass get her shirt all full of wet sand.”

 

            Scott grinned at Julianne and she proudly showed him that her shirt and shorts were covered too.  “You’d think she took after you or something.”

 

            Scott’s little troupe drove back to the hotel and planned to order in.  With the kids with them in the room, Scott and Julianne wouldn’t let things get out of hand like they almost did the night before.

 

            “Soon, Scott.  Soon you’ll be all mine to do with as I please.”

 

            “Oh Baby!  Don’t say things like that to me.  I’m liable to let you have your way with me right now, and then Penny will think I’m attacking you or something.”

 

            Julianne laughed and said she thought Penny could probably put some serious hurt on him so she decided to go and get her immediately.

 

            Scott gave her a sarcastic grin and said she was real funny.

 

The camera pans back to the beach:

 

            Balmy, beautiful tropical evenings with breathtaking sunsets seen through palm trees were something new and captivating to Antoinette.  She and Kevin would have come in to shore, but watching the Sunset from the pier was so inviting that neither felt like moving.

 

            For Kevin, the view beside him was just as breathtaking.  There was Antoinette in her two-piece, in a half sitting/half reclining position entranced by the setting Sun and all he could think of was that in another time and place, she would not be there, beside him.  How could he deal with this when she left to return to Wisconsin?  Not aware that she was thinking much the same thing, he ran a finger up and down her bare arm, breaking her concentration.

 

            “What’s on your mind?”  She asked without looking at him, but feeling a shiver.

 

            “Toni, I almost hate to bring this up, but I was wondering when you’re going back home.  I mean, I’m in no hurry to see you leave.  God knows I would rather you didn’t but I know you have a life in Madison you probably would want to get back to.”

 

            “Kevin, I plan to leave in 6 days.”  Antoinette hoped she sounded calm so he wouldn’t realize her lower lip was quivering.

 

He knew.  Kevin ran his hand down the back of her hair to her shoulders and with a single, fluid movement, brought her all the way back to the ‘fully reclined position.’  He leaned over her with his hair coming forward, softly brushing against her cheek and neck and looked deep into her brimming eyes.  Those lovely Hazel eyes, starting to flood and already spilling over her lashes making his heart feel wrung out.  Kevin groaned inwardly knowing the sadness she felt and wanting to ease that sadness.

 

            “Toni,” he said in a low, soft voice that seemed to crack, keeping him from saying more.  In his arms, Antoinette was able to let it all out.  She didn’t know how long they were lying there on the pier but it was comforting have this big wonderful man hold her and feel the same things she did.

 

            When Kevin felt Antoinette was composed enough he leaned to one side on one elbow and the two of them lay there just looking into each other’s eyes, feeling so much for each other and knowing they would have to find a way.  Whatever it took, they would have to be together too.

 

            The air was still quite warm and Antoinette got an idea in her head that she wanted to take one last quick swim before going back to the hotel.  She sat up, gave Kevin a smile and took his hand and slowly moved to the edge of the pier.

 

            “You can’t be serious.”

 

            Antoinette didn’t say anything.  She simply slipped into the water that had by this time warmed up some from the afternoon Sun and still held onto Kevin’s hand.  She gave him a come hither look and the impulse was too great for him to resist.  Kevin followed her into the tepid water and the two of them let the current carry them out a ways, lying on their backs, still holding hands.

 

            “Oh, this is what Heaven feels like,” Antoinette told herself and sighed.  “I never want to leave this man’s side.”  Then another urge swept over her.  She slowly turned herself over in the water and put her arm across Kevin’s bare chest, gently holding onto to him while he rolled to face her in the water.

 

            “You’re pretty fresh.”

 

“You didn’t like it?”

 

“I did.”

 

Antoinette’s eyes rolled back a little, her chest heaving and she said “Then why

don’t you shut up and kiss me.”

 

In a moment, their legs were entwined and Antoinette’s wet hair was lying across his neck.  With his strong arms, Kevin lifted her on to his chest and she lay on top of him until their combined weight made them feel the need to tip upright in the water.

 

            Their kiss didn’t end but instead became more intense with their hands starting to grope in places that perhaps they ought not and suddenly Kevin drew back.

 

            “What is it?”  His quick movement startled Antoinette and her insecurities set in instantly.

 

            “I thought you wanted a man who could exercise some self control.  You mean you don’t?”

 

            “Oh!  No, I do.”  Antoinette’s tanned face began to turn a little red.

 

            “Ah-ha!  I thought so.  You have rules for guys but not for yourself?”  He gave her a brooding look.

 

            “No!  It’s just that I-”  Antoinette was flustered and felt the heat rising in her neck and cheeks.  She felt slightly two-faced and was going to apologize to Kevin when she, instead, tilted her head down a little, looked up at him and stuck out her lower lip in a pout.

 

            Kevin wasn’t prepared for this.  “Why!  I oughtta spank you, you little imp!”  He raised his huge hand out of the water and Antoinette let out a squeal as the mighty hand came down and chopped the water behind her.  With eyes wide and wild, she lunged toward him and their heads collided.  That hurt!

 

            “I’ll say one thing for you, you’re coordinated.  Good way to kill the mood.”  Kevin laughed at her.  Kevin was rubbing his own forehead when he realized Toni was a bit dazed.  Holding her up so her head stayed above the water, he checked her eyes and her responses. “Uh, you ok Toni?”

 

            “I’m sorry Kevin,” Toni was chuckling a little, feeling a little stupid.  “I don’t know what came over me.”

 

            “I’ll have to be more careful when I spank from now on.”

 

            Antoinette wasn’t used to this kind of fun with a man who was so at ease with her after knowing each other for such a short time.  It was as if they had known each other for, like, forever when really they had only just met.  Maybe it was the anticipation that built up in both of them after they talked briefly on the phone at Julianne’s place in Madison that made them both so ready to jump into each other’s arms.  There was definitely some tension between them that needed to be calmed down a little.

 

            “I don’t think it was that, Kevin.”  She smiled at him, “I think it’s more that I’ve been waiting for you since we talked on the phone the night Jules got home, before we met.  I felt I knew you before we even met and sparks flew last night, at least for me.”

 

            “I’ll give you that.  We were both sparkin’, and I think you’re right about the anticipation.  Jules told me you were a knockout but she never told me the half of it.  You know how best friends will accept each other, warts and all, and don’t even seem to see them?  Well, I figured, ok, Toni is probably a pretty woman but Jules was probably biased.  You know, like Scott and I would be.”  Kevin hoped she would understand what he was trying to say.

 

            “I can understand how you would feel that way and it’s true, we do overlook each other’s ‘warts’” she said with a grin, “but I knew what you looked like and I still wasn’t prepared for what I saw when you came around the corner in the hallway at the hotel yesterday.  I think my heart stopped for a couple seconds.  But Kevin, you were way more than I was ready for and I still wonder if I’m woman enough for-”

 

            Kevin reached out to Antoinette and pulled her to him, holding her close and kissing the top of her head.  He felt a wave go through him that felt like a power surge, and like a conductor, that wave went back to her.  He said in a ‘very controlled’ voice, “Antoinette, you are more than enough woman to tame the beast in me.”

 

            His voice was ‘controlled’ but she felt the passion in it and let go an ‘uncontrolled’ breath that sounded like a sob coming from her chest.  He held her out a little from him to make sure she was alright.  “What is it, Babe?”

 

            “Kevin, I don’t want to go back to Wisconsin.  I want to stay here too.”  She blurted out.  Then a reign of tears came mixed with convulsions from the pent up pain of knowing she was going to go home without her dearest friend in the world and the heart wrenching agony of leaving Kevin behind.

 

            “Toni!”  Kevin shook her but she couldn’t stop.  He was almost going to strike her to bring her out of her hysteria but something held him back.  He could no more strike Antoinette than he could little Cassidy.  All Kevin could do was hold her and console her.  “Shh, Toni.  Nobody’s making you go back.  Nobody wants you to go back.  You said you don’t have any family except Jules and Penny so why would you go back to go on without them?”

 

            Antoinette’s tears were still coming but she was a little calmer.  Talking quietly to her now, almost whispering, “Sweetheart, I don’t want you to go back now, or ever.  If you go back, I’ll be forced to move to Wisconsin and it’s too cold up there for me.  I know we just met but you were right, I was waiting to meet you and when I did, you bowled me over.  Shh, now.”

 

            Like a trusting child she let him maneuver her so that she was on her back.  He supported her with his left arm and cupped a little water in his right hand and let it run off her swollen eyes and cheeks.  It felt cool and in a minute or two she opened her eyes and found his face very close to hers.  As he came closer, her heart leapt in her chest and she put her arms around his neck.

 

            It was like that scene from Gone With The Wind with Rhett holding Scarlett in his arms and leaning over her with an ardent look in his eyes.  He might as well have been Clark Gable because she lost herself in his embrace and she almost gave herself up to his passion.  His hands were so carefully, gently roaming her body so that when he found the place that used to give her secret pleasure with Mike, she almost exploded with desire.  That was when she pulled away.

 

            Kevin looked at her patiently, “You’re sure?”

 

            “No . . . yes.”  Was her breathless, pitiful response.

 

            Antoinette said yes, but she looked like she meant no and as soon as she said ‘yes,’ she regretted it.  No going back now but she wanted Kevin then and there.  “Kevin, I want you . . . bad!” Another sob escaped and her voice went up in a cry. “It’s just so quick that I don’t know how to do this.”  She looked stricken and Kevin understood.  He said no more, but picked her up and headed back to shore.  They got their things and walked to the hotel with no mention of eating first.  Neither had an appetite now, just a terrible gnawing inside that wouldn’t go away.

 

Back at the hotel, kids got baths and adults took separate showers.  “Would’ve been more fun taking one together.”  Scott said wiggling his eyebrows at his future bride.

 

            “I know it would but it’s too late now.  I’m already cleaned up and our dinner is here.”  She gave him a toothy grin, poking her chin out a little at him.

 

            “Come on kids, I’ve been slaving over this dinner for at least a minute now so let’s dig in.”

 

            “Great!  Chinese.  I love Chinese food.”  Cody sounded like he was in Heaven.

 

            “I’ll make a note of that Sweetie.”  Julianne chirped at him.  “How about Cassidy?  Does she like it too?”

 

            “She likes the Egg Rolls, but that’s about all.”

 

            “Yeah, and she makes the biggest mess of them too.”  Scott was already helping her, wiping her chin.

 

            Julianne sat and watched the sweet scene before her.  A happy boy chowing down his favorite food and a doting father gently and patiently assisting his little daughter with her food while his was getting cold.  “If you want to eat yours while it’s still room temperature, I’ll help her.  I’m not that hungry anyway.”

 

            “What’s wrong?  Did I ruin your appetite earlier today at the drive up?”

 

            “Yes I’m afraid you did.  I’ve had butterflies in my stomach ever since.”  She grinned at him.

 

            “Daddy, why does Jules have butterflies in her tummy?”  Cassidy was just too cute.

 

            “Well baby girl, I guess it’s because some flew in her mouth while she was crying today.  Now they can’t get out.”  He winked at Julianne and handed Cassidy over to Julianne.

 

            “Thanks Babe.  What do you think Kevin and Toni are doing?”

 

            “I don’t know.  I haven’t really thought about it but I suppose they’re doing exactly what we are.”

 

            Meanwhile:

 

Kevin and Antoinette walked back to the hotel without saying a word.  She kept playing things over and over in her mind, from the moment she pulled away from him to the moment he set her down to put on her shoes and shorts.

 

            How could a man be so big, so strong and at the same time, be so gentle and considerate.  He really seemed to understand her feelings, even though he didn’t actually say “I understand.”  As he carried her to shore, she felt so little and pathetic in his arms.  Leaning into his chest she let him tighten his arms around her and softly caress her forehead.  When he sat her down on their blanket, he didn’t release her immediately.  Stooping down, he cradled her a moment like he would a child that he cherished, feeling like letting go of her would tear his heart out.  Finally he did let go of Antoinette so she could get herself together for their walk back to the hotel.

 

            Kevin started to walk toward the road and turned to see that she was not coming immediately.  He walked back to her and she slowly looked up at him with remorse in her eyes and said, timidly,  “forgive me . . . please.”  He looked into her eyes, smiled and just shook his head.

 

            “How can she be asking me to forgive her when she has been going through so much.”  He thought to himself.  “God help me but, . . . I love her.”  In truth, he ached inside for her.

 

            Antoinette thought Kevin would take her hand but he didn’t.  Instead, he walked quietly beside her and slowed his pace so she could keep up with him.  It hurt that he didn’t hold her hand and make her feel ‘all better’ but she would suck it up and keep her emotions in check, at least until she got in her room.

 

            When they arrived at the hotel they walked to their rooms and as he was reaching for the doorknob, he looked at her and saw that her head was down.  She didn’t even have her hand on the knob, just had her head down.  “Toni,” he whispered.  Hearing him whisper her name produced the tears she had been holding back and her body was wracked by spasms caused by the release of pent up pain and grief.

 

            What could he do?  If he tried to hold her, they could end up in bed together.  Maybe not in their own beds, but . . . anyway, she had said she was sure, even though he suspected she wasn’t.  Still, he wanted to try to find some way to comfort her.  While these conflicting thoughts were running through his mind, Julianne opened their door and found her best friend in a horrible state.

 

            “Toni!  What is it?”  She shot a concerned look at Kevin and he said maybe it was best that she and Antoinette talked.  He looked kind of relieved that Julianne was there for her and said he would be right next door if they needed him.  Really, he meant if Antoinette needed him.

 

            “Toni, I mean it.  I’m right in here.”  Kevin looked at her sadly, wanting to hold her and stroke her and make love to her, to make it all better but it would be all wrong  at that moment.  So he opened his door and said goodnight to them, went in and closed the door.

 

            “Honey, please tell me what’s wrong.”  Julianne sat her down on her bed and put her arms around Antoinette.

 

            Where to begin?  She had not told Julianne how she agonized over losing her best friend and having no one else in her life that she was close to.  Even the thought of losing little Penny stabbed at her heart.  They had grown so close while Julianne was in Florida looking after Scott and when she brought her back to Julianne that night she returned home, Antoinette felt a pang.

 

            How could she tell Julianne what happened at the lake?  Oh, this was going to be a long night!

 

            “Now tell me Toni.  Did you too have an argument?  Somehow I can’t believe that but what could be upsetting you so much?”

 

            Antoinette looked up at her with hurt and shame in her eyes and Julianne assured her that no matter what it was, she would listen and not judge.  She would understand.

 

            “Why don’t I get you a little water.  That might help.  Toni, whatever happened, I love you and I will always stand by you.”

 

            “How can you stand by me when you’re 2,000 miles away from me?”  Antoinette shot this at Julianne like a bullet.

 

            Julianne put her hand over her mouth and tears sprang instantly to her eyes.  Antoinette knew immediately that the attack was unwarranted and she burst into heart-wrenching sobs.

 

            “Jules, I-I’m s-sor-rry.”  Her voice was shaking so much she could hardly get the words out.  The two women sat holding each other and cried until they had cried themselves out.

 

            “I didn’t know I was going to be so emotional about your move until tonight when Kevin asked me when I was going back.  I guess I’ve held it in for so long that when I had to talk about it, I couldn’t control my feelings.”

 

            “What did he do?”  There was a little bit of accusation in Julianne’s voice.

 

            “Oh, Jules!  No, please don’t think that he hurt me.  Kevin was so sweet and understanding that it about broke my heart.  He is such a dear man.  No, you have to understand that what happened between us tonight was my fault.”

 

            “Happened?  Toni, if you don’t think you can tell me the details, I will understand, but please leave your burden here with me.  I promised I wouldn’t judge and I won’t.  I love you and I would do anything for you.”

 

            “Thanks Jules.  Really he was so ‘not’ like the man he is in the ring.  I mean, he can be ruthless and abusive in the ring but the ‘real man’ is just a big teddy bear.”  She said with a little smile.  When I said no, he backed away, but when I didn’t say no, he just did what came naturally and so did I.”

 

            Antoinette hung her head a moment and Julianne put her hands on either side of her face and lifted her head so they were eye to eye.  “Remember, I won’t judge.”

 

            This brought a tiny smile to Antoinette’s lips and she continued.  “Jules, mostly what happened was that he showed me that he loves me and I responded like I would have if it had been Mike.  We were both caught up in the moment and if we had been married . . . well, you know what it’s like.”

 

            Julianne wondered if she knew what had happened the night before in Scott’s room.  Suddenly she was feeling a little troubled for Antoinette and Kevin.  “Toni, I do know what it’s like and it’s so important to keep the man at an arm’s length, at least until you know how to control him.  I’ve had many moments when I wanted to give in to Scott’s urgings but something in the back of my head was whispering, though it came across like shouting, ‘stop while you still have your self-respect!”

 

            “Jules, I know what you mean.  At one point though even Kevin pulled back and challenged me on it.  I guess I really do have to keep him at an arm’s length for a while.  We have been moving way too fast and it’s time to slow down and really get to know each other.  I think when I go back he wants to go with me.  He didn’t say it in so many words, but I believe he was thinking that.  He doesn’t want me to leave.”

 

            “What are you thinking?  Do you want to move down here too?”

 

            “He said if I went back to Wisconsin he would have to go there too and it’s too cold for him there.  He was teasing, of course, but I knew he wanted me here.”

 

            “I know Scott won’t be needing Kevin with him now and he is on leave from WWE so it might be an opportunity for the two of you to get better acquainted if you let him help you move down here.  Of course, you’ll have to sell your house and quit your job but we’ll help you find a place to live, and in the meantime you could stay with me in Scott’s, ‘our’, guesthouse.  And I can see what’s on the job market here since I have to find work myself until we get married.”

 

            Antoinette didn’t say anything, she just hugged Julianne and big smiles replaced what had felt like hundreds of tears.

 

            “Listen honey, why don’t you go take a long hot bubble bath and unwind a little.  You’ve had a monumental evening and I think you need to try to relax before you go to sleep.  There are aroma therapy candles in the bathroom so just make yourself comfy in there and I’ll check on you a little later.  Penny can keep you company and I’ll bring in the CD player when you’re settled and you can listen to some soothing music.”

 

            “Thanks Jules.  You’re such a luv.”  She hugged her friend again and went off to take that bubble bath.

 

            This was Julianne’s chance to speak to Kevin, if she could.  He was no doubt telling Scott about what happened too so she had to be discreet.

 

            Julianne went out on the balcony they shared with the guys and tapped lightly on their sliding door.  Kevin opened the door and looked down at her with big sad eyes.  She reached for him and hugged him tight.  Kevin wrapped his arms around her and let go a breathy sigh.  It had been a rough evening for him too and he was grateful that Julianne offered him this kindness.

 

            “Come on in Sweetheart.”  Came the loving tones of her fiancé.  Scott came to Julianne’s side and said he hoped Antoinette was alright.

 

            She looked at Kevin a moment and said they had talked and Antoinette was melting into a warm bubble bath to sooth her jangled nerves.

 

            “Why don’t we just talk on the balcony.  That way we can talk without waking up the kids.”  Kevin wanted some privacy.

 

            “Good idea.”  Scott agreed with him so the three of them stood out on the balcony and talked.

 

            “Jules, I’m so sorry her evening had to end like this.”

 

            “It’s alright Kevin.  It gave us the opportunity to talk and get some things straight.  I knew I was going to be missing her terribly but she has always been the self-reliant one and it hadn’t occurred to me that she was in such agony over my move.  I feel so bad that I didn’t see it before.  And then, there is the problem with you.”  She said pointedly to Kevin.

 

            “I know.”  He said quietly as he turned away.  “Every time I tried to comfort her we let things get carried away and either she or I would have to pull back.   That’s why, when we were out in the hall, I said maybe it was best if you two talked.  I knew you would be able to help her in a way I couldn’t.”

 

            Julianne gave Kevin a warm, loving smile.  “Hey, big guy.”  She put her arms around his middle again and looked up into his teddy bear eyes and said she believed there was a way he could help her.

 

            Kevin got a big smile on his face and said he was all ears.

 

            “Look, Kevin I know you don’t want her to go back to Wisconsin, but she has a job and a house.  She told me she wants to move here so she’ll have to sell her house and quit her job.  That means she will need to find work here and a place to live.”

 

            Scott put his arms on Julianne’s shoulders and said, “Hon, she can stay with you in our guesthouse, can’t she?”

 

            “That’s what I was thinking, at least until she finds her own place or until we get married.”  Saying the words ‘get married’ brought her around to face Scott and she gave him a sweet kiss on the lips.

 

            He wrapped his arms around her and told Kevin if he got all this figured out with Antoinette, he could be the next happy man to walk down the aisle.  Scott was truly happy and he beamed every time he thought about his future life with this sweet, selfless woman who loved him more than her own life.

 

            “Ok, you two lovebirds, back to my problem.  Just where do I fit into this scheme of yours Jules?”  Kevin was very interested in hearing more and had waited long enough for Scott and Julianne to get back to the issue at hand.

 

            Turning back around to face Kevin, she pulled Scott’s hands through her arms and held them around her waist.  “Toni will need some help with packing up her belongings and moving them down here.  She won’t want to put things in storage like I did.  She’s just that way and some big strong man will have to drive a moving truck for her.  Also, she will want someone to kind of lean on when she is selling her house and quitting her job.  Does any of this sound like something you could handle?”  She teased.

 

            “Oh, man!  I got it covered Jules.  Thanks for laying it all out for me.  But will you trust me alone with her that long?”  His eyebrows went up in question.

 

            “Oh, don’t worry Kevin.  I’ve told her to keep you at an arm’s length until she learns how to get control over you!”  Julianne said in her best ‘I know exactly what to do with you tone.’

 

            Scott laughed now.  “Yeah Jules is the ‘Mistress of control’ when it come to keeping a man at arm’s length.”

 

            “Scott!”  She laughed.  “I have a little girl who helps me you know.”

 

            “Penny is not in my corner yet Kev.  I think she likes you better than she does me but that will change.  I got her number.  I’m going to start taking her for walks now so she has to come to me to have her ‘little tiny needs’ taken care of.”

 

            “You’ll be such a good Daddy to her, Scott.”  Kevin snorted.  The solemn mood they were all in had finally changed to one of laughter and it was a real relief to all, but especially to Kevin.

 

            “Alright then, we can talk more about it tomorrow.  I told her I would check in on her in a while so I better go and spell Penny.  She’s keeping Toni company right now.  Scott, if you want to start taking charge of Penny’s life right now, I’m sure she would love to go for a little walk.  I’ll give you a zippy bag to take along.”  She wiggled her eyebrows at him.

 

            “Well, when you put it that way, how can I refuse?”  Just a little note of sarcasm was detected in his voice.

 

            “Ok, I’ll be right back with her.  We’ll meet you at your other door.”  She gave Kevin a peck on the cheek and handed Scott a ziploc bag.

 

            “See what I’ve been relegated to?”  Kevin just laughed long and hard.  The tension had eased up and he was feeling a great release through the laughter.  Scott gave him a look and just took the bag and went back inside to meet his new little pal at the other door.  To his surprise, his future wife was ready to go walking with them so he was all smiles again.

 

The night was still warm even though it was after midnight and Julianne and Scott were bringing Penny back to her room.  “Why don’t you let her ‘come home’ with me tonight.”

 

            “What if she gets antsy and wants her Mom?”

 

            “I can slip her back in your door if you’ll trust me with your room key for one night.”

 

            “Oh, I trust you.  Besides, my roomy is right in the room with me so I really trust you.”  She smiled wide with a ‘I know what you’re all about’ look.

 

            Scott grinned back and planted a breathy kiss on her neck.  Feeling his breath on her skin like that, she almost went into meltdown then and there, but he reminded her that Penny was watching so she had better not.

 

            “Right!  You be a good girl and go with Daddy now Penny.”  Scott just looked Heavenward and shook his head.

 

            “Goodnight Mom.”

 

            “Goodni-” she finished with a soft kiss, her stomach still fluttering.

 

            Antoinette was already asleep which was a relief to Julianne.  She would be there for her friend if necessary, but tonight she was caught up in her own happiness and would really rather just drift off to sleep and dream about Scott.

 

            Dream?  Well, yes.  About Scott?  Yes.  Sweet slumber?  Unbelievable!  But not right away.

 

            Julianne had not dreamt much about Scott since they had started dating but occasionally he would invade her dreams enough to make her wake up feeling a warm glow.  Tonight was different.  Almost as soon as she drifted off, she began to dream about him.

 

The first dream was sort of neutral, but not unsettling.  They were back at Picnic Point in Madison, meeting her neighbor, Terese for the first time.  They had their arms around each other as she came upon them but the romance seemed to flee as they were talking to Terese.  It was more like casual conversation until she left them alone again.

 

Julianne woke up from the dream, wanting to go back to sleep to pick up where they had left off but that dream didn’t continue.  A little disappointing, but she knew how it all turned out so she lay in bed with her eyes closed, remembering her neighbor and feeling a little sad that she wouldn’t see her again for a long time, if ever.  The emotion seemed to bring a few tears, and she wished she had Penny on the bed with her now to put her arms around and hold.  The little dog was a real comfort to her when she felt distressed or sad.

 

Tonight Penny was probably guarding Cassidy so she put that thought out of her mind.  Instead, she rolled over on her side, put her arm around her pillow and drifted off to sleep again.

 

The second dream didn’t come right away, but it did eventually.  It was the sort of dream Julianne wished she could wake up from but couldn’t.  The reason they were in the hotel was because of a police investigation into someone who might be stalking Scott.  This was what Scott had told her, but he really was afraid for her and his kids so that was the real reason they were in Kissimmee, but he didn’t share that with her.

 

“Just stay away from them!”  Scott called out, trying to protect his family from an intruder.  “I’m the one you want.  Take me, but leave them alone.”  She saw the metal of a gun flashing in the moonlight, grabbed Cody and Cassidy and put them behind her.  “Run Jules!  Take them with you.  Get outta here.  NOW!”  Scott pleaded with her.  He had the real look of terror in his eyes.  Something she was not accustomed to seeing in him.  It was so real that she did exactly what he told her to do without arguing.

 

BANG!!!  The gun went off and Julianne sat straight up in her bed, sweating profusely and breathing so hard.  Her heart was pounding like it never had before and she was shaking and fighting tears.  This time she got out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash her face and change her pajamas.

 

What a surreal nightmare!  Again she wished she had Penny with her but she would leave her in Scott’s room and not bother him.  No need for anyone else to loose sleep like this.  Julianne got a drink of water and changed.  The only other items she had to change into were a nightgown and matching robe she had bought before coming back down.  They were a color that men say doesn’t exist.  Both were almost sheer but the nightgown had lace, the same color, only a little darker, and allowed for a little cleavage to show but plunged in the back to just below her waist.  She had bought it knowing that Scott would eventually see her in it and it was the sort of garment that makes a woman feel beautiful and sensual, even if no one else did see her in it.  She hadn’t noticed it before but the pattern on the front of the bodice looked almost like a butterfly and she smiled when she remembered Cassidy asking why she had butterflies in her tummy.

 

By now she was feeling better and was determined to go back to sleep and not dream that awful dream again.  Julianne didn’t go right back to sleep.  Instead she lay in bed, with the soft breeze gently rolling over her in her nearly sheer silk nightgown.  The feeling that wafted over her made her feel things she usually felt when Scott was holding or kissing her.  It was a wickedly delicious feeling and Julianne fought to get it under control.  She wasn’t in the habit of creating her own pleasure so she fought this feeling and rolled over to go back to sleep.  Still, erotic thoughts of Scott kept coming to her.

 

Eventually she went back to sleep.

 

Julianne was standing in their honeymoon suite with Scott unbuttoning her wedding dress at the top only.  She allowed him only this and said she would do the rest in the lieu.  He offered to do more but she looked at him with bedroom eyes and cooed that he would be very happy if he waited because she would make it worth his while.

 

He followed her to the door as if he were going to wait there until she came out.  She closed the door, locked it and heard a sigh of resignation from the other side of it.  With a secret smile that made her tingle right in her middle she rolled her neck a little and looked at herself in the mirror.  This was what they had both waited for and she would not disappoint him.

 

Julianne began to undress, seeing a shape in the mirror she was proud of and knew her husband would find real delight in.  She opened her overnight bag to find the very same nightgown and robe beckoning her to put them on and lure her new husband into a night of passion and sweet romance.  She was somehow transformed instantly from the bride to the alluring temptress and finally re-entered the room where Scott was waiting for her.

 

He had his back to her and didn’t hear her open the door.  She stealthily approached him and moved her silken fingers from his sides to his chest.  That chest that had sent awesome chills through her many times, just watching him on TV, was now her own property and she was going to enjoy the rapture of losing herself in it.

 

Scott was just wearing his briefs and he could feel the silk of her nightgown softly brush the backs of his legs as he put his head back a little and let a husky breath escape his lips.  He let Julianne gently turn him around to face her and was so captivated by the vision that he couldn’t speak.  With honest, sincere, pleading eyes, she almost begged him to make love to her.

 

No words were spoken and he didn’t need to be asked again.  He picked her up and carried her to the King-sized bed and gently laid her on the soft pillows he had arranged for her comfort and pleasure, an act that made her want to satisfy his desires all the more.

 

Scott knelt on the bed beside Julianne as she began lightly stroking his chest and shoulders with the backs of her hands.  He took her hands and gently placed them out to her sides.  Scott felt the soft silk on her thigh and slowly moved his hand up to her waist and just to her chest.  He felt her ribs rise and fall with each heavy breath and exhalation.  The tremor in her little frame almost made him afraid to go further and yet it seemed to also tell him that she needed him in a primal way.

 

The music she had played for Antoinette earlier in the evening somehow invaded her

dream and she heard the exotic strains of “Alla Luce del Sole”, with it’s tender, yet powerfully romantic influence washing over them.  It was infectious as it made them swell with love so powerful that it almost transcended the room they were in.  A floating sensation came over Julianne with Scott pulling her back down, his hands slowly going up her legs to her waist underneath her gown, sending exquisite waves through her whole being.

 

Julianne put her hands on his broad, strong shoulders and felt the muscles flex as he drew her to him, his face hidden in her breasts.  Again, the music, but now “Alejate” with it’s sweet Spanish Guitar strumming their passion with its strings.  The closed flower that dared not bloom during their courtship finally, freely, began to open to the sound of this beautiful and romantic song, and to the sound of Scott’s grateful sighs.  She gazed at him and saw a tear escape and drop softly on her silk clad breasts.

 

“Oh!”  The rapture went through her, slowly, as she shuddered and began to awake from this divinely sweet dream.  She realized that her back was arched slightly, her eyes were shut and her breathing was flowing like a gentle river that had crested and was receding again.  All from the effects of this dream.  Her arms were out to her sides like they were wings and she still tingled all over.

 

What a grievous thing, to wake up from such a dream, but what a state to wake up in!  The feeling of Scott making love to her was still so powerful that she couldn’t stop writhing in her bed for hours.  Each time she put her hand on her abdomen, she shuddered from the exquisite pain caused by the muscles contracting in a way they hadn’t done in many years.  A feeling she had all but forgotten about and now brought her such a sorrow because she had lived without it so long after her divorce.  Sorrow that brought her inconsolable tears.

 

No one had ever come that close to her since, but now, even though Scott wasn’t trying to make inroads and get into her bed, she felt such a terrible aching for him.  It would have to wait.  She knew that, but she vowed in her heart that it would happen as it had in her vision this night.

 

Julianne tossed and turned the rest of the night, hoping she wouldn’t wake Antoinette.  How on earth would she be able to share her dream with her?  No, she couldn’t.  She couldn’t even tell Scott because it would just be too invasive for her.  She had always felt a need for a modicum of proper decorum and yet her subconscious betrayed her in the night and brought out something in her that was obviously hidden for a very long time.

 

“Oh Scott, I want you so bad right now.”  Julianne whispered into her pillow.

 

Still unwilling to get instant gratification, she bit her pillow and shed some intense tears because she wouldn’t satisfy the gnawing deep inside her.

 

“Wait-for-him.”  She said through clenched teeth.  It was for her wedding night with Scott that she was saving herself and she would not give into more base instincts just to pass the moment.  “Moment!  Feels more like centuries!”  She told herself.

 

Julianne suddenly turned over fearing that Antoinette had heard some of her whimpering, but she heard the sound of slumber coming from the other bed and felt some relief.  Her secret was still safe.

 

The dawn was not welcome, nor did it come soon enough to abate the need Julianne had to be in her lover’s embrace again.  Barely moving the blinds in front of the sliding door leading to their balcony, Julianne quietly slipped through the door and closed it just as quietly.  She needed to be alone with her thoughts and she felt Antoinette needed her sleep after the painful evening she’d had.

 

            The only thing Julianne intended to do was to breathe in the fresh air and clear her head of the webs that had saturated her sleep.  She jumped a little when she heard the sliding door from Scott’s room open and shut.  Since Scott had made the transition of going to bed with a clear head over the last couple of years, his hearing was much better and he thought someone was out there.  He peeked through the blinds and saw the one he had hoped he would.

 

            She had put her robe on over her nightgown and felt it was enough with so little light out.  Now she was suddenly aware that it might not be enough with the man from her vision standing there, gazing at her.

 

            Scott started to come toward her and then stopped as his eyes began to focus better in the dim light.  He saw the striking colors of the Sunrise slowly appearing behind her, setting off the beautiful form he could see through the nightgown and robe.  Julianne couldn’t move from her spot.  It was as if she was paralyzed.  She just gazed back at him with eyes telling him she was desperate for him.  With her chest rising and falling, she began to lose the strength in her limbs.

 

            “I-I . . . Scott-”  Julianne was at once supported in his arms and she buried her face in his chest.  Yesterday she would have had burning cheeks, but after the night she had just come through, she only felt their hearts beating in unison and gratefully accepted his embrace.  He turned her away from the railing of the balcony to shield her from anyone’s view below.  He was apparently not even supposed to see her this way and no one else would either.

 

            “Baby-baby, what is it?”  Scott asked with a smile in his voice.  He wasn’t concerned that something was wrong.  He wanted to know what made her cling to him with such abandon, especially dressed the way she was.  It was totally unlike Julianne, and while he loved what he saw, he was very confused.  The last he knew, it wasn’t allowed!

 

            What could she say to him?  She had dreamt of him almost all night long, ending up with her body feeling impulses it hadn’t felt in years and she needed him to hold her close, now more than ever.  Somehow it ceased to matter to her what she was wearing.  She didn’t even think about it anymore.  All she could do was hold on to him for her life and revel in the sensation his sheltering embrace gave her.

 

            “Jules, what?”

 

            “Shh.”  The soft sound escaped her lips like a gentle wave washing up on shore.  She couldn’t talk and only wanted to hear the rhythm of their hearts beating together as one.  To stand there holding one another, feeling as if they were one flesh, one body.

 

            Finally after a few moments, Julianne stirred a little and felt Scott’s cheek come to rest on her forehead.  How thankful she was that he had taken to shaving regularly and would not feel a razor burn.  His face felt as soft as little Cassidy’s skin and the feel of it against her face was warm and comforting.

 

            Julianne closed her eyes and reached up to put her arms around his neck, letting his hands settle around her waist.  His hands felt powerful as they moved up her sides to just under her arms and rested there.  They both shared a single thought.  He wanted to hold and caress what would soon be his and she desperately wanted him to.

 

            No longer even aware of where they were standing, Julianne peered up into Scott’s face, and felt a tremendous thud in her chest like a train going right through her.  He felt her craving for him that manifested itself in the hardened form that pressed against his chest.  She finally felt what he did the day before at the beach when he had to take refuge in the ice cold water.  Finally, his dreams were coming true and he felt the need to back off.  Now he had to be the strong one.  What was wrong with him?!  More to the point, what was going on with Julianne?

 

            “Julianne Peterson, what is going on with you?”  Scott whispered, with eyes big, but smiling.

 

            Julianne leaned against the sliding door allowing a little more space between them and looked down at herself knowing he saw her nearly nude body and then looked back up at Scott and closed her eyes.  Her lips barely parted as he pressed his mouth against hers tight and hard.  Electricity passed between them like lightening bolts, and when the kiss was over, she felt weak, but strangely elated.  She had found her sensuality pleasing and knew that he did too.  Julianne felt unashamed, and somehow, more mature.

 

            The rules and the waiting didn’t make sense to her anymore.  She went from being the good girl at an arm’s length to being the woman with an insatiable passion, in one night.  What mattered now was marrying Scott and being with him.  What else was there?  She was there now and why make him wait unnecessarily?  The sexual tension had been sort of fun and endeared her to him more but that time was over.  He didn’t want that and she didn’t either.  Not anymore.

 

            “Sweetheart, when we’re married . . .”  She didn’t finish the sentence, but he got the import of what she was telling him.  Obviously, the best was yet to come and he was going to be the recipient of her advances.  He always figured he would have to be the one to seduce her.  Now he understood that it was going to go both ways.  She was very enticing right at the moment and he would have an extremely hard time walking away from her.

 

            The Sunrise was fading and it was beginning to get brighter out.  Scott told her that she might want to slip back into the room and change into something less comfortable before Antoinette woke up.  Best not to let anyone else know what took place out there.

 

            “One thing is for sure Jules.  We can’t wait to have a big wedding.  This is all getting out of hand real fast and we need to speed up our plans.  Let’s talk later today when we-you are . . . uh, dressed.”

 

            Julianne, still unashamed, just looked into Scott’s eyes and nodded.  He quietly slid the door open and she stepped in, still facing him, giving him a little better view of what he had to look forward to.  When he closed the door, he had to readjust his own growing problem and then slipped back into his own room, hoping no one in there was peeking through the blinds.

 

            Scott looked and listened and only heard the muffled sounds of snoring and snoozing and took the opportunity to get in the shower.  Hot at first, and then gradually cooler until it was painfully cold, but necessary.  As he stepped out of the shower, and toweled off, he was greeted by a little girl wanting to go out for a much needed walk so he put on his shorts and flip flops and grabbed her leash and went out the door, locking it behind him. 

 

He was about to turn to go the other way when he heard what sounded like the shower running in the next room.  He stopped to listen and suddenly heard what sounded like a tiny squeal as if the cold water hit hot, burning flesh and he smiled to himself and then at Penny and told her that her Mom was taking care of important business.  Now he hoped she would too.

 

As broad daylight came to the inmates of the two hotel rooms, the tension felt the night before between Kevin and Antoinette seemed to have resolved itself.  Julianne had been able to give them at least a partial solution to their dilemma.  But what of Julianne and Scott?  No one else knew about their clandestine meeting on the balcony that morning and it must remain that way; however, Kevin and Antoinette began to notice a marked difference in the two.

 

            They weren’t as carefree with each other.  Instead, they seemed to avoid touching or being near each other.  Kevin and Antoinette kept giving each other curious glances and when they had the opportunity to get their heads together, they confirmed their feeling that something was up.

 

            Not wanting to bring it up in front of the kids, Antoinette waited until they were alone in their room and then cornered Julianne.

 

            “Alright, Jules.  Give it up.  You don’t even need to deny that something isn’t quite right this morning.  I can’t quite put my finger on it but Kevin noticed it too so out with it.”

 

            “I can’t Toni.”  Julianne didn’t look away or pretend not to be listening.  She just looked directly at Antoinette and said it again.  “What you and Kevin saw is real but I can’t talk about it.”

 

            Antoinette threw up her arms and was about to protest when Julianne put up her hand and said if she wanted to know, she’d have to talk to Scott.

 

            Now Antoinette was worried that maybe things went South between them and put her hand on Julianne’s shoulder.  “Honey, I didn’t intend to pry.”

 

            “Yes you did Toni.  Why else would you be asking?  I think I know what you’re worried about.  I can’t tell you but suffice it to say we didn’t have a falling out.  We’re fine.  In fact, we’re better than fine.”

 

            Again, she left Antoinette with less information than she wanted or needed to come to the right conclusion.  It was so frustrating!

 

            Maybe Kevin was getting further with Scott.  She would find out soon.

 

            “Well, what did Jules say?”

 

            “Are you kidding?  She said Zip!  Nadda!  I have no clue what’s going on.  The only thing she said was that they didn’t have a fight or anything and that things were better than ever.  But that’s it.  How about you?  Did you get anywhere with Scott?”

 

            “With two wild kids and a dog in the room?  Sure Toni.”

 

            Her expression fell a little.  “Well, I guess we’ll have to wait a bit and see if they say anything later on today.”

 

            “The only thing Scott did was ask me to watch the kids so he could go out and take care of something personal.”

 

            Antoinette looked at him to continue.

 

            “That’s it!  That’s all he said.  I don’t have a clue.”

 

            “Well those two sure are secretive today.”

 

            “Yeah, but at least they came up with a good solution for us.  Toni, I’m relieved and I can’t wait to help you move down here.”  He started to put his arms around her and she pushed him back a little, at least an arm’s length away and Kevin laughed.  “Hmph!  I guess you know what your job is gonna be for the near future.”

 

            “I do and I intend to do the best possible job I can.”  She winked and ran out of his room.

 

            Kevin and Antoinette were designated baby sitters that day and they had no idea how long their occupation would last, but evidently Scott and Julianne needed this time to take care of whatever seemed to be affecting them the way it did this morning.

 

            Sitting in Scott’s rental car, Julianne waited for him to come out of the Courthouse.  It was hot out but somehow she hadn’t noticed it much.  For some reason, her skin felt cool and it was a relief.  Maybe it was from the freezing cold shower she had taken that morning.

 

            She had time to think about what Antoinette had asked her in their room and she felt a little guilty for worrying her but this was a sudden decision, and once they had made it, they just went and got the license.  Julianne hoped Antoinette would understand and not need a major explanation for this sudden turn of events.  She also hoped Cody and Cassidy would handle it well.

 

            Really, it made perfect sense.  They would be alone in his home while Kevin and Antoinette went North so it seemed to be the only thing to do.  A new aura had come over her early this morning and it obviously set the tone for the events that followed.  Today was the day.

 

            Her thoughts were interrupted when Scott came back to the car.

 

            “I got it Babe.  Let’s go back and tell the rest so they can get ready and meet us uptown.”

 

            “Ok Darling.”  Julianne looked over at Scott and he fastened his seatbelt and suggested she do the same.  “Hon, it’s the law here.  Also, I don’t want you to get hurt before you’re all mine.  Put it on Jules.”

 

            Their time was almost upon them and he was taking no chances of losing her or of postponing it because of not taking precautions.

 

            Julianne fastened her seatbelt and felt so strange.  This day had been so long in coming and she had been very patient about it up till now.  After they talked this morning and made their decision, she felt she could hardly wait.  She definitely knew she didn’t want to sit so far away from Scott.  She wanted to be as close to him as possible.

 

            “Jules, you alright?  This morning you could’ve knocked me over with a feather and now you’re so somber.  You feeling ok?”

 

            He reached over to touch her hand.  It was the first time all day, since the early dawn, that he had touched her and the surge that went through Julianne almost made her bolt right out of her seat and into his arms, and except for the seatbelt holding her in place, she probably would have.  Instead, Julianne turned to look at Scott and he saw something in her expression that made him withdraw his hand.

 

            “Yeah, I get it.  Better I don’t go near you until we’re legally wed.”  He had a thought and he wondered if she was bothered about it.  “Jules, does it bother you that we won’t have a fabulous honeymoon suite?”

 

            “Scott, all I want-no, need, is to be with you.  No matter what other people do, we have to do what is best for us and I agree with you.  This is best.  I don’t need a fancy suite.  I just need you.”

 

            Again, the aura.  It was like she was controlling every nerve and impulse in her body until she no longer had to hold on.  He had never seen her the way she was that morning on the balcony.  Ready to give it all up to him and he still didn’t know why.  Well, he wasn’t going to question it.  He just hoped she could hang on until it was time for total meltdown.

 

            Once they got back to the hotel room, they gathered the kids and their sitters in Julianne and Antoinette’s room.  Cody sensed something was up and he gave his Dad kind of a quizzical look.

 

            “In a minute son.”

 

            “We want to thank you Kevin and Toni for watching the kids and Penny while we were gone today.  I know it was at the last minute but Jules and I had to make an important decision and we needed some away time by ourselves to do it.”

 

            Antoinette felt real uneasy and yet she had Julianne’s assurance that everything was fine between them.  Still she couldn’t shake it off.  She looked at Julianne’s face for a clue but Julianne had a poker face, if you could call it that.  Really, it seemed more like she was in a trance to Antoinette but in reality Julianne was trying as hard as she could to control her ever rising need to touch Scott-to touch him all over.

 

            “I know you’re all wondering what’s up so we’ll tell you.  Jules and I are getting married.  Today.”

 

            Antoinette’s hands came up to her face and she let go a little squeal and came to Julianne and hugged her.  “I can’t believe it.  Just yesterday you told us you were getting married and today is the day?  Jules!”

 

            “Yeah.  You could’ve given us a little warning.”

 

            “Like what?”  Scott asked him.

 

            “Like hum a few bars of “I’m Getting Married In The Morning” or something???”

 

            “Hey, you knew we were getting married.  The fact is, we didn’t know it was today, until today.”

           

            Julianne shot a look at Scott and he knew he better stop before he spilled any more beans.  That was saying more than they needed to know about the early morning rendezvous and she suddenly broke in, “I know it seems sudden but it’s what we want and we see no need to wait.  We don’t need a big wedding, and all the trappings are so unimportant to us.  All we want is to be together, and really, the only people who matter to us are right here in this room.  So why wait?”

 

            When she put it that way, it made sense.  Still Kevin and Antoinette were stunned. Cody seemed to handle it well.  His only concern was where would he and Cassidy go when his dad and Julianne were on their honeymoon?

 

            Scott laughed a little and said they could stay with Kevin and Antoinette at home because he got a call from the detective investigating their stalker theory and they had caught the woman who was following him around.  She’s in custody and wouldn’t be bothering them now.  She confessed to stalking him and now his little family was going to be safe.

 

            “Do you mind staying a little longer Toni?  You can stay in the guesthouse while we’re gone and Kevin can stay in the house with the kids, or vice versa.  Whatever works out for you two.”  Julianne said.

 

            “No I don’t mind staying longer.  If I’m going to quit my job, then what’s to worry about?  I have more vacation time coming anyway so they have to give it to me before I quit.  You two just get married and don’t worry about us.”

 

            She gave Kevin the eye and he promised to be on his best behavior while they house sat and babysat.

 

            For the first time Julianne seemed to relax a little.  Perhaps it was because she was holding Cassidy’s hand, instead of Scott’s.  She even smiled when Kevin said he would behave while he was alone with Antoinette.

 

            “That must have been what it was.”  Antoinette whispered to Kevin while Julianne and Scott got the kids ready to go uptown to the Courthouse.  “I never saw it coming.  Last night she was so different.”

 

            “I know.  It was like the difference between night and day.  You know, now that I think about it, I heard Scott go out on the balcony this morning and he was talking to someone.  I guess it was Jules but he never let on that they weren’t going to wait any longer.”

 

            “I think if I had made a decision like this I would probably be a little jumpy and tense so we have to cut Jules some slack.  She has really been there for both of us and we have to be supportive for her sake today.”

 

            “Oh, I agree totally.  When they take off for their honeymoon later today we’ll just head back to Scott’s house and start our new job of babysitting.”  Kevin had a little bit of a pained expression on his face but quickly recovered when he remembered his first mate was going to be the beautiful Antoinette.

 

            “Ok, everybody ready?”

 

            “All our bags are packed so we can take off right after the ceremony.”

 

            “That’s great Kev.  Thanks for helping out me and Jules this way.  You’re like their uncle anyway and they love Toni so I’m sure they will mind you.”  He gave Cody and Cassidy a hug and a little swat on the behind.  More of a love tap and they both promised to behave.

 

            “Hey Kevin, Jules won’t let us give Penny table scraps so you have to keep all your food on your plate.”

 

            Kevin looked at Cody and wondered what precipitated that comment and told him to just worry about what was on his plate.

 

            “He’s right Kevin.  If you’re going to take care of my little girl you have to follow my rules.”

 

            Scott interrupted, “Our rules.”  Julianne gave him a long sweet smile.  She was going to support his efforts and he would support hers.  He took her hand and kissed it.  He felt her hand curl in his and he dropped it again with a knowing look that only she saw.

 

Julianne was having a hard time riding to the Courthouse.  Her nails kept clicking on the door where the window was rolled down.

 

            “Jules, for Pete’s sake!  We’ll be there in a minute.  Try to be patient, Babe.”

 

            “Oh, sorry.  I didn’t even realize I was doing that.”

 

            She quit for about 10 seconds and then started up again.

 

            Scott sighed.  “If I dared ‘touch’ you, I’d tie your hands in your lap but . . . Here we are.”

 

            They pulled into the Courthouse parking lot and Scott unbuckled his seatbelt.  For some reason, Julianne wasn’t out of hers yet.  “I expected to meet you already at the top of the steps.  What’s takin’ you so long?”

 

            “I don’t know.  It’s stuck!  Ooh, I hate these things.”  She was fumbling and almost broke a nail fighting with the buckle.

 

            “Slow down Honey.  Let me try it.”  He started laughing and reached for the button to push the buckle apart so she could get out and he slapped his hand away.

 

            “Hey!  What was that for?  I’m only tryin’ to help you.”

 

            “I can do it myself.  I’ve been buckling and unbuckling seatbelts almost my entire life and I think I can handle this one too.  Besides, you were making fun of me.”

 

            “I wasn’t.”

 

            The more she fought with it the more frustrated she became and finally she just stopped and motioned with her hands that she gave up and he looked at her as if to ask “Is it ok if I try it now?”  Julianne just gave him a simpering smile and said he should go for it.

 

            “Ok, but no hitting.”  He reached over and pushed the button and it came unlocked.

 

            She looked at the buckle and looked at Scott who suddenly changed his expression to a very serious and understanding one and a moment later she burst out laughing.  “I can’t believe I got so wired over a stupid seat belt.  I’m sorry.  I won’t get out of hand the rest of the day.”

 

            “Whew!  I’m glad you said it and not me.”  Scott ducked away from her as she swatted the air and they sat there laughing, almost hysterically.

 

            “So, what’s so funny you two?”  Kevin parked beside them on Scott’s side.

 

            Scott was getting out of the car and whispered something to Kevin and Antoinette and they got big eyes and then even bigger grins.

 

            “What did he say to you?”

 

            “Oh!  Nothing Jules.  Nothing at all.”  A giggle escaped Antoinette and Kevin nudged her a little with his elbow, cocked his head a little and raised his hand like he did in the lake the night before, as if he was going to spank again.  “Don’t make me.”  He warned.  She squealed and jumped out of the car.

 

            “Oh, no!  And you two are going to be watching my new step children and Penny for a week?”

 

            “Alright.  Let’s have some manners here now.  We’re going into the Courthouse and we don’t want to act like little hooligans.”  He looked at Kevin and Antoinette.

 

            “Oh!  This is sort of embarrassing.”

 

            “What is Toni?”  Kevin asked.

 

            “Being put in the same category as hooligan.  With you.”

 

            She ran up the steps and met Julianne at the door.  Scott told him she was right and they have to behave now.  They would also have to behave while he and Julianne were away.  Kevin said not to worry about it, but he still got a serious look from Scott.

 

            “We will!  Relax already.”

 

            “Kevin,” Antoinette whispered, “remember it’s their wedding day and they’re both a little nervous.  Second time for both so let’s just keep our heads.”

 

            “Yeah.  You’re right.  Scott, you have my solemn promise that Toni and I will be a paragon of virtue and your kids will be in good hands.”

 

            “I know.”  Scott shot him a grin.  “Thanks again ol’ buddy.  This means more than you know.”  Kevin put his arm across Scott’s shoulder as they walked into the building.

 

            “Well, Scott, as your best man I think it’s my duty to give you some advice before you embark on this great journey of life.”

 

            “This ought to be good.”  Scott whispered to Julianne.

 

            “Always be the master of your own house and make sure your wife is always barefoot an-”

 

            “Put a sock in it Kevin.”  Julianne interrupted.  “Where’s Mick Foley when we need him?”

 

            That about brought the house down.  A clerk came out in the hallway to see what all the commotion was about.

 

            “I’m very sorry sir.”  Julianne attempted an apology but she was almost hysterical and could hardly talk.

 

            “That’s quite alright, but if you’re looking for the circus, it’s left town.”  He gave them a sarcastic look and went back inside his office.

 

            His door said Judges Chambers.  “Oh Shi-”

 

            “Scott!”  Julianne reminded him of the children.

 

            “You don’t suppose he’s the-”

 

            “No I don’t.  Let’s just go and see where we should get married.”  Julianne said.

 

            “Did someone say they were getting married?”  The same clerk appeared in the hallway.

 

            “Yeah.  Look we’re sorry we were so loud.  I guess Jules, er, Ms Peterson and I are a little nervous.  Didn’t mean to get out of control here.”

 

            “That’s quite alright.  Now that I know why you’re here, it’s just fine.  Please follow me and I’ll take you to the courtroom.  The Judge is about to finish with a family law case and will most likely call a recess until tomorrow.”

 

            “Man, this is too familiar.  Kind of creepy.”  Scott said to Kevin under his breath.

 

            “Is something wrong Scott?”  Julianne noticed his complexion was turning a little green.

 

            “Uh, it’s just that I’ve been involved in a family law case or two over the years and it’s a little uncomfortable in here.”  He started loosening his tie a little.

 

            “Oh, I see.  Look, you’ll never be involved in another case so think of them as a learning experience that lead to your decision this morning.  We will never end up here.”  She purred in his ear.

 

            They entered the courtroom and the judge asked if the participants in this ceremony would please approach the bench.

 

            Julianne stood beside Scott, with Cody and Cassidy standing in front of them.  Kevin was on Scott’s right and Antoinette on Julianne’s left.

 

            “Is there a ring to be given?”

            Julianne suddenly looked stricken.  They had no ring.  Kevin pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to the judge.  It was a ring box and the license.

 

            “Scott?”  Julianne looked at him in disbelief.  “Tell you later.”  He whispered.

 

            “We are gathered here in the sight of these witnesses to join Scott Oliver Hall and Julianne Lynn Peterson in marriage.”

 

            The judge leaned forward and asked Julianne under his breath if anyone was giving her away.

 

            “I will.”  Cody piped up and Scott patted his shoulder.

 

            “Your son, Mr. Hall?”

 

            “Yes, sir.”

 

            “Good decision, son.”  The judge smiled at him.

 

            “Do you, Scott, take Julianne to be your wedded wife?”

 

            “I do.”  Scott’s voice was quiet and respectful.

 

            The judge noted it and then looked at Julianne.

 

            “Do you, Julianne, take Scott to be your wedded husband?”

 

            “I do.”  Her heart was in her throat.

 

            “Very good.”

 

            He handed the ring box back to Kevin who opened it and handed the gold band to Scott.  Julianne’s hand was trembling as Scott steadied it to place the band on the ring finger of her left hand.

 

            “As an official of the court, I hereby pronounce that you, Scott and you, Julianne are husband and wife.”

 

            Tears filled Antoinette’s eyes as Scott and Julianne kissed and embraced.  First they shook the judge’s hand and received his good wishes.  Then they received a group hug from Kevin, Antoinette, Cody and Cassidy.  Cassidy was small enough that she kind of got pushed out of the center of the group and Scott broke through the hug to reach down and pick her up.

 

            Cassidy gave her Daddy many kisses and hugs, not really knowing what was going on just then, but she understood that her Daddy just made Julianne a new member of their family.  “Did we adopt Jules?”  Cassidy’s high little voice filled the courtroom and even the judge laughed at that.

 

            “You and Cody just adopted her Baby girl.  Remember yesterday I said I asked Jules to marry me?”

 

            “Uh-huh?”

 

            “Well that’s what we did today Sweetheart.  Jules gave me her hand in marriage and I gave her this ring.  So now we’re married.”  He showed Cassidy the wedding band and she leaned over and kissed Julianne’s tear stained face.

 

            Julianne took Cassidy from Scott’s arms and received a very tight hug from the little girl.  “That all I get?  Daddy got hundreds of kisses.”  She gave Cassidy a little pout and Cassidy showered her with sloppy little kisses.  It was all too cute and Kevin pulled Cassidy off of Julianne’s neck and said it was his turn to kiss the bride.  He leaned in and gave her a sweet one on the cheek.  “Mm, tastes like salt water taffy.”

 

            Scott took Cassidy and Julianne hugged Kevin and whispered her thank you’s to him for everything he had done for her and Scott, from the time he was in the hospital right down to today.

 

            “That’s what I’m here for Jules.  You two mean a lot to me.  I’d do anything for you guys.”  He whispered back.

 

            Antoinette hugged her a long time and finally Scott said he felt left out.  So Antoinette hugged him too and said she knew he and Julianne were going to be very happy for many years.

 

            “Thanks Toni.  I believe it.”  He had a confident look on his face and for the first time she noticed he looked like he had really turned his life around and would not make Julianne unhappy.

 

            “Ok you guys, let me get a couple of pictures of you.  Darn, we should have a photographer to at least get perfect shots.”  Antoinette fussed.

 

            “Your photos will be just fine Toni.”  Scott put his arm around Julianne as Antoinette held her camera up to her eye.  She saw two beaming face smiling back at her and she almost couldn’t hold the camera steady, and it was hard to see clearly through tears.

 

            Kevin asked if he could assist and she handed him the camera and he handed her his handkerchief.

 

            “Ok, one more.  Then one with the kids and then one with Toni and me and then one of Toni and me.”

 

            “Kev!  Take the picture.”  The flash went off.

 

            “Before this gets anymore like the “Movie of the Week” I think we better take off.  You kids know you’re staying home with Toni and Uncle Kevin, right?”

 

            “Is Toni our Aunt?”  Again, Cassidy’s high little voice filled the courtroom.

 

            “Not at the moment she isn’t.”  Kevin answered her.

 

            He winked at Toni.

 

            “Is she gonna be?”

 

            “We’ll have to see if we can work on that Cass.”

 

            Another wink.

 

            Antoinette started to blush a little and told Cassidy that her Uncle Kevin was putting the cart before the horse and to not pay any attention to him.

 

            She took Cassidy’s hand and they walked outside.  She looked around and looked up at Antoinette and asked where the horse was.

 

            Kevin laughed and scooped Cassidy up and held her in his right arm and put his left arm around Cody’s shoulder and told Antoinette she’d have to sit in the back seat for that remark.

 

            Scott and Julianne drove to a Condo in Ft. Pierce with an Ocean view.  She had never stayed at the Ocean before so it was a special treat.  Scott had an acquaintance that owned the Condo and asked if they could stay for the week.

 

            “That guy is really nice to let us stay on such short notice.  I take it this is a timeshare type of deal?”

 

            “Yeah he knows my agent and they worked out the details so we could come today.  It’s got a private beachfront just for people who rent the Condo so we’ll have all the privacy we need.  Like I said before Jules, I hope you’re not disappointed that it’s not a-”  She put her fingers over his lips and replaced them with her own lips.

 

            “Like I said before, you’re all I need.”

 

            They opened the door and went in and locked it behind them.  Julianne never saw the Ocean until almost 2:00 AM the next morning when the moon was shining on it because true to the promise she made in her heart in the wee hours of the previous morning, she made this night as special as it was in her dream.

 

            Later, Julianne stood at the railing of the balcony from their upstairs bedroom and gazed out over the Ocean and a little tear rolled down her cheek.  This tear was not from any pain she experienced the previous morning.  It was from happiness.  Happiness that had eluded her for so long and was now given to her with a full heart and open arms.

 

            She knelt down at a little table with her hands folded and quietly said an almost inaudible prayer.  Her perseverance had paid off and she could share her life with Scott having no regrets about having given in to her base instincts.  She knew others did, but her temple was something sacred to her and she had kept it unspoiled for the man she loved, no matter how hard it was.  It was hard, and in fact, it became impossible to do any longer.  Still, she was thankful that she had the will to hold on until she could give it all up to her husband.

 

            She heard the unearthly sounds of “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring”, an apparent new a favorite of Scott’s.  She had thought he was asleep.

 

            Julianne’s head fell slightly to one side and rested on her arm.  She was tired but so happy.  She felt a soft breath on her shoulder and heard that husky voice whisper “I need you.”  Then the strong arms of her husband picking her up, cradling her, kissing her and carrying her back to their bedroom.  Her arms around his neck and her head resting on his bare chest.  Hers, now, and forever.

 

Their first night together seemed to go on forever.  Between waking and sleeping, they probably only slept a few hours all night.

 

            For what seemed like the umpteenth time, Scott felt Julianne’s little hand lightly, almost like a feather, touch his chest or curl her fingers in his dark mane.  This last time she picked up his hand in hers and kissed it, motivating him to stir and knew that she was not going to let him sleep any longer.

 

            Scott teased her that she was just a little nympho, making her giggle and slide over next to him and then onto his chest.  “You’re the reason I can’t sleep so you’re not going to either.”  She said with a sinfully wicked look in her eyes that said she was about to pounce!

 

            “Oh, man!  I’m done for.  I can see it now.”  He lifted her to a sitting position on his waist, and half-reclining against the bed pillows propped up against the head of the bed, Scott knew what she would want.  As he already had that night, with the backs of his fingers, again began to caress the object of his desiring.  What he had to wait for on the balcony the morning before, was now his and he saw how it brought Julianne such pleasure.  This was the best part for Scott, to give his wife so much pleasure that she couldn’t resist and kept wanting more.  Like fine wine.  A song went through his mind that went something like “you just keep me thirsting for another cup of wine.”

 

            His love was like fine wine to Julianne and she couldn’t get enough.  That was true satisfaction and it kept Scott smiling all night long, knowing that she was ravenous for his hands and his caresses.

 

            He wasn’t without his needs either and she had fulfilled them all, so now, without saying a word to her, he set about turning her own fantasies into reality.  With the strength of a twenty-year-old, Scott carefully lifted Julianne off of his waist and shifted to settle her in the position he had been in, comfortably nestled into the bed pillows and in a half-reclined position.

 

            She began to put her hands on his chest.  Her front teeth grazed her lower lip.  She closed her eyes and began to stroke his chest and shoulders with the backs of her hands when he gently placed her arms and hands at her sides.  Without opening her eyes, she knew she had experienced this before, in her dream, and willingly yielded to his tender touch.  Scott’s hand followed the same pattern from the night before, up her leg to her waist and rested on her chest, feeling her ribs rise and fall.  He stopped a moment, as she knew he would, to ponder whether or not she was strong enough and then recognized that she needed him to continue.

 

            Julianne reached up to put his hand to her breast and he gently laid her hand back down at her side.  She looked at her hand and then up into his face and felt the weightlessness that made her feel as if she was floating upward in her dream.  How was this possible?  It was like she was in a trance, reliving the dream, knowing what he would do next.  It was as if Scott had the same dream and was making it come true for her.

 

            She closed her eyes again, her lips parted slightly as his hand went up her leg under her nightgown and to her waist bringing her back, back to the flesh and blood woman who craved her husband’s touch.  His hand slowly went back down past her abdomen, slowly to rest on the place where her pulse was strongest and the slight pressure of his slow, painfully slow, massaging finger-tips made Julianne come to rest on her knees.  Her breath coming rapidly and her body rising and falling in the rhythm of a cobra being charmed by it’s master.

 

            She cried out that she wanted him and reached for him but again he gently placed her arms at her sides and said she would have to wait.  He wanted her to reach the point where she couldn’t stand it any longer.  He knew she wasn’t there yet and so with patience and tenderness he continued to stroke her.  Softly, barely touching her, making her back arch she writhed and came toward him.  This time he lifted her arms over her head and he carefully lifted her nightgown up and over her head to let it drift off the side of their bed.

 

            Scott was immediately stung with such a desire for her, seeing her back continue to arch and her sweet, soft feminine form move in rhythm to his touch.  He almost reached for her to put his arms around her but she finally seemed to be willing to let him bring her to an exultant state so he waited to satiate her desire.

 

            Julianne moaned more, and often as he slowly moved his other hand up her side, barely touching the side of her breast when she began to open her eyes and he knew she was close.  He no longer resisted her touch.  Both were on their knees when he gradually took possession of her.  She felt him growing harder inside her, making her moans become more like soft cries that came with each spasm, until that divine moment when she bucked and came to meet him.  He tried to push her back a little but she held herself to him as tight as she could and suddenly he heard her exclamation as she shuddered and felt their release.

 

            Julianne’s pulse was so strong that the throbbing inside her almost hurt him.  It was like a grip that wouldn’t let go but he had to wait until she went limp in his arms.  Scott wasn’t aware of how long it took.  All he could see or feel was his beautiful wife, clinging to his flesh and holding on as if she would never have this again.  It was like nothing either of them had ever experienced.  Scott, feeling spent, lowered his head and nestled his face in her breasts.  She slowly opened her eyes again and saw a single tear fall from his cheek and land on her breast.  So like her dream, but so much better.  She didn’t know how it would end last night, but now she knew all.

 

            Her heart swelled remembering her resolve and her prayer from earlier in the twilight and knew why she had waited.  He could never have ignited this powerful flame if she had given in to her needs before tonight and now she was feeling the satisfaction of knowing that her husband was not complete until he had brought her this rapture and joy.

 

            Julianne slowly leaned back into the pillows and gently carried Scott with her to rest with his arms around her waist and curl his body around hers.  This was the sweetest moment of all.  Flesh against flesh, both breathing slowly and hearts beating in unison, as if they were one.  What came to Julianne was a passage in an ancient book that she could only recall part of but it’s poetic beauty moved her and she whispered to him what she could remember.

 

            “This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.  This one will be called woman because from man this one was taken.”

 

            It was true.  From his strength and love came her life and happiness.  Realizing this made her hold him closer and she made another vow in her heart this night as she had the night before.  Scott would never be left alone again to go on with his life, without her love and devotion.

 

            Husband and wife lay in each other’s arms, not sleeping and not talking.  Julianne no longer felt the need to arouse Scott but he felt more love coming from her now than he had all night.  She cradled his head in her arms on her chest, and gratefully received his kisses on her breasts.

 

            When the dawn finally came, they succumbed to sleep and did not stir until almost noon.  Scott lay there with his eyes shut but was no longer sleeping.  It was very quiet and except for the sound of the tide, all he heard was the sound of Julianne’s heart beating.  Then a smile slowly crept across his lips as he remembered the events of the early morning hours when he transformed his little temptress into an exultant woman.  He felt something in the pit of his stomach that ached so much that it brought a tear from his closed eyes.

 

            Scott understood that it was because Julianne was the first woman to accept him totally, who helped him become the kind of man he had wanted to be for years and she loved him more than her own life.  He shifted and felt no shame when he opened his eyes and realized she saw the tears and kissed them.

 

“Are you alright?”  Julianne oozed affection and looked at Scott with sympathetic eyes.

 

            “Yeah, I think so. . . no, I am.”  Nothing’s wrong, I just feel so different and it hurt a little, I guess.”

 

            “A little?”  Hard to believe when there were streaks on his face and her skin was still moist.

 

            Julianne cupped his face in her hands and wiped his tears with her thumbs.  “What hurt you?  Was it something we did?”  Not sure if it was an actual physical problem or if it was something else.

 

            “It was definitely something we did but I didn’t hurt anything.”  Scott knew what it was but he wasn’t sure how to explain it to Julianne.  “Babe . . .” he hesitated and then continued, “Jules, nobody except my best friend and my kids has ever accepted me for what and who I am until I met you.  Someone else did try once but it didn’t last.  I spent all these years thinking I was never gonna have real and lasting love in my life and then I found you, and . . .” he sighed with an uneven breath, trying to get control over it.

 

            Lying on his stomach on the bed, Scott took Julianne’s hand and kissed her palm.  “I think I was hurting inside because you love me unconditionally and you make me a better man.”  It was all he could think of to say.  It wasn’t exactly what he wanted to say but it had the ring of truth to it and it came very close.  “Someday I’ll put it into the right words for you Jules.”

 

            Julianne ran the backs of her fingers along his cheek and he turned to her with a pained and serious look.  It hurt to see him struggle with his feelings but it also showed her how important she was to him.  Scott didn’t often try to articulate his feelings this way and his effort moved her.

 

            “Unconditional love and becoming a better man hurts that much?”  She couldn’t comprehend it.

 

            “Jules, you’ve had friends and family who have given you the confidence to love yourself and to be a better person.  I have too but I wasted so much time on destructive behavior that they, well most of them, gave up on me.  I don’t blame any of them but it still hurt.  Until we met, Kevin and my kids have been the only ones who believed in me and accepted me without conditions.”  Scott put his head down.  Julianne’s heart was wrenched.

 

            “Darling,” she cooed, “you’re the very first man who has ever tried to confess to me what was in his heart and I will love you forever for trying.  I believe I know what you’re trying to say.  I’m so sorry you’ve never felt love like this before but you will never go another day without it, Scott.”

 

            “How did I ever find you?”

 

            “You didn’t.  I found you.”

 

            Scott looked at her quizzically.

 

            “Remember the contest?”  He nodded but still wasn’t sure what she was getting at.  “I lost so much sleep over that because I wanted to be the only woman who had a chance at meeting you and going on a date with you.”

 

            “Yeah, but you didn’t know me then.”

 

            “You’re right, but I would have been devastated if any other woman had won.”

 

            “Aww, you would have gotten over it and found someone else but I would have gone out with the wrong woman and probably would have never met the right one.”

 

            “Scotty.”  He raised his eyebrows.  “For as long as I can remember, you’re the only man I have felt any attraction for, at least after my divorce and I couldn’t imagine myself with any other man.  If we had never met, I would have grown old alone.”

 

            “Jules!  C’mon, you can’t be serious.”  He gave her a half-grin.

 

            “When I found out I had won, I felt like all my dreams had come true and if any other woman had beat me out, I don’t think I would have handled it very well.  Do you know that Toni entered the same contest?”

 

            “Toni?  You kidding?”

 

            “Yes, Toni!  We were both sitting at our computers and on line because we knew the exact time the contest was closing and it took forever for the name of the winner to load.  I really thought I was out of luck when she called me on my cell.  When I saw her name on the display I felt my heart sink because I assumed she had won and was calling to tell me.  Scott, I was going to do my best to congratulate her but she was calling to congratulate me.  I felt this wave of relief pass through me.  Not like I had won the lottery or anything like that, but like my life could go on.  Darling, I knew that day that we would be together someday down the line.”

 

            Scott looked at her in total disbelief and she returned his look with one of total ‘you better believe it because it’s all true.’  She had never exaggerated or misled him before so he had no choice but to believe her.  He shook his head and smiled.

 

            “I thought you just entered that contest to get a date with a wrestling star.  I didn’t know it was a matter of life and death.”  He chuckled.

 

            Julianne scooted down under the sheet and pulled it up over her head.

 

            “What’s that all about?”  He asked laughing.

 

            “I’m not that kind of girl.”  She giggled.

 

            Scott couldn’t resist.  He grabbed the sheet from around her body and picked her up still half in it, pulling the sheet from the bed.  Julianne was not expecting this and she tried to get out of his arms.  He laughed at her puny attempt and said she’d have to be a lot stronger than that to get out of one of his holds.

 

            She felt like Doris Day in an old movie with Rock Hudson lifting her out of her bed wrapped in a sheet and carrying her down the street.  She struggled too but it did no good.  “Scott!  Put me down!  Now!”

 

            “Unh, nope!”

 

            He started walking toward the bathroom and said she needed a good shower.

 

            “I can-”

 

            “I know you can, but you’re not going to.”

 

            Scott sat on the edge of the bathtub with Julianne struggling on his lap and he turned on the water.  “Hold still or you’ll get a cold one, like yesterday.”

 

            “How-?”

 

            Penny and I knew that’s what you were doing when we went out for her morning stroll.  I heard your little squeal in the shower.”

 

            She put her hands to her mouth and her eyes were so wide.  Scott just howled.  He was almost doubled over with his wife facing the floor while she was still in his strong grip.

 

            “Scott!”  He stood up and hauled her in the shower, sheet and all and pulled the door shut behind them.

 

            There was no more struggling or complaining.  Only the sound of hot steamy water hitting the door in the shower and of muffled sighs, and occasionally, laughter.

 

Julianne had struggled as they went into the shower, but when it was over, she was so grateful to Scott.

 

First, Scott washed her hair, with a wonderful massage to her neck and shoulders added for extra enjoyment, and letting Scott wash her all over with the soft shower sponge was divine!  He worked the body washing gel into the sponge and let the pleasant smelling bubbles go wherever they went and gently guided it everywhere, giving Julianne an exquisite rush.  He finished by having her sit on a bench and he teased her toes with the sponge, making her giggle.

 

When he was through, it was her turn.  Julianne asked Scott to sit on one of the benches in the hot tub so she could wash his long, luscious hair.  Instead of massaging his hard shoulders however, she played with his hair and gave it funny shapes, making her giggle while he patiently let her fool with it.  He had hauled her in there so he was going to put up with it for a little while.  It didn’t last long but he laughed every time she giggled.  Maybe it was the silly things she did with all that hair that made her giggle, or maybe it was the way he kissed her tummy each time and pretended to nibble on it.

 

Scott stood to rinse out his hair and Julianne took the sponge, reloaded it and began to work her magic on him.  He didn’t think he’d care for that sponge on his skin, but he found out almost instantly that he did.  He had to sit back down to allow her to use it on his shoulders and experienced the same delicately scented bubbles rolling over his chest and down his back.  He looked up at the naked beauty that was pampering him and couldn’t seem to keep his hands off of her.  As a result, she wasn’t as thorough in bathing him as he had been with her, but it wasn’t a thorough bathing that they were in there for.

 

The tub in the octagon shaped bath, which was pretty much all hot tub and shower, was surrounded on all sides by beautiful Aquamarine Fiberglass doors.  Julianne had never seen anything like it and felt like she was being treated royally.

 

            Scott didn’t open the doors immediately and she wondered if he was going to turn the shower back on.  Instead he reached down to turn on the tub and the jets.  “I heard about these tub /shower combos but I never tried one before.  You wanna try it?”  He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows and got the reaction he had hoped for.  By this time, Julianne was like putty in his hands and anything he suggested she would go along with.

 

            The tub filled quickly with warm water and he turned on the jets.  There were little side benches along two sides of the tub so two could sit together on either side and enjoy the jets.

 

            “I can’t believe how nice this is Scott.  This is way better than anything I ever imagined.”

 

            “Oh?  And have you imagined this?  With me?”

 

            “Not exactly imagined . . . and not this.  But our honeymoon.”

 

            “What do you mean not exactly imagined?”

 

            “It was a dream.  And it was only once.”

 

            “Soooo, was I pretty hot?”

 

            “You tell me.”

 

            “I bet I was.”  Scott was feeling confident and pretty playful right now.

 

            “You were last night.”

 

            “But what about in your dream?  Did I make your dream come true last night?”

 

            Julianne put her arms around his waist with her head at his chest and hugged him tight.  Scott felt her breath come heavy and uncontrolled.  He looked at her face and her eyes were closed.  “You did, and you do.”  She said, almost breathless.  Then she raised her eyes and looked at him again the way she had on the balcony the morning before and he suddenly had a notion about when she’d had this dream.

 

“So, when did you have this honeymoon dream?”

 

“The night before we were married.”  She said slowly and lowered her head a little, peering up at him, now gingerly sucking on her lower lip a little through her front teeth.

 

            Scott narrowed his eyes at her and he knew it was true.  His mouth came open a little as he blinked his eyes and slowly started to grin until it became very wide.

 

            “You had one impure dream and it put you in the state you were in yesterday on the balcony???  Jules?”  She detected a little mirth in his voice.

 

            “It wasn’t impure.  You were my husband and . . .” Her voice went up in a little rasp like a sob because she was feeling the same desperate need for him right this minute and she didn’t want him to laugh at her.  “Scott . . . I needed you so bad and I held out all night long and waited for you.  When you came out on the balcony I needed to make love to you.   Please don’t laugh at me.  I waited to give it all up to you last night.”  She had such pain in her voice and her words cut off like she was choking.  He had only meant to tease her a little.  It was just such a sudden revelation that he didn’t think about the way he reacted.

 

            Scott felt hot tears on his chest and he picked her up and sat down on a bench with her in his lap.  Cradling her like she was his most precious breakable possession, he said he was sorry and he wasn’t really laughing at her but he had no idea she had done that for him.  “Shh, Babydoll.  I’m grateful and . . .”  He was going to say ‘happy’ but he wasn’t able to go on because his throat constricted and his voice cracked.

 

When Scott could go on, he spoke to her in softer tones, almost in a whisper, and soothed her, stroking her back and her shoulders.  His hands went down her arms to her waist.  He kissed her face and lips.  Her head went back and he kissed her neck and then her breasts.  Julianne’s back arched, her eyelids fluttered and her breath came in rapid, halting spasms.

 

            Still sitting on the bench, Scott laid her back in the water, leaning over her and supporting her neck with his left forearm and her head with his left hand in the water.  The little bubbles in the water floated over her body like little caresses.  It was so stimulating, feeling them casually glide into little crevices and folds of her skin, like delicate fingers playing on her, making her respond in a new way to the new sensation she was feeling. 

 

The delicate little bubbles and Scott’s feather-light touch on her throbbing skin were bringing her to a peak she had not reached before and she grabbed his hand to put it where it would necessitate this new climax reaching it’s end.  Julianne’s body shuddered as she stiffened, her hands clenched in tight fists and she let go an impassioned cry as she reached an orgasmic height she had never dreamed of.

 

            Julianne was not the only one elated by this new response.  Her husband had found a new way to bring her joy.  It seemed to be a new preoccupation with Scott and he kept looking for new ways to bring her the happiness she deserved.  He had found his own satisfaction in giving her so much pleasure that he did not look so much for his own now.  Although if some had known of it, they might have said it was voyeuristic and unnatural, selfish and unloving, but the only thing that mattered to he and Julianne was giving and making each other happy and fulfilled.

 

            When Julianne finally relaxed, she was in Scott’s lap with his arms around her, holding her like he was sheltering her from all the sadness outside, only allowing in the happy, rewarding memory of the moment that had just passed.  It was so obvious that no man had ever done this for her before and Scott was angry.  What was wrong with her first husband?  He must have been some kind of creep to have not loved her enough to give to her and not get the same in return.  He hated him immensely and instantly!

 

Scott watched her rest and wondered to himself how this beautiful and tenderhearted woman who needed him so desperately, had come into his life by mere chance.  A contest won by a woman he had never met, had no idea she existed, and now she was redefining his entire life with every breath she took.

 

            Julianne opened her eyes just enough to realize he was leaning over her, and saw his face very near hers, thoughtfully studying her and waiting for her to open her beautiful blue eyes and smile up at him.

 

            “Thank you.”  So quiet, he barely heard her.

 

            “Jules, Baby,-” heaving a breathy sigh.

 

Scott helped Julianne dry off.  He put on a terry robe, draped hers over her shoulders and picked her up and carried her to their bed.  She said she could walk but he ignored her comment and kept her in his arms.  He knew she could but something protective inside him took over and he wouldn’t put her down.

 

            “Scott, what is it?”  Julianne knew he was happy and that what had happened last in the hot tub was his doing so he was not upset or disappointed with her, but he seemed to be brooding a little and she wanted to know what it was about.

 

            He didn’t say anything for a minute, just carefully laid her against the propped up pillows and looked at her.  She was sweet all wrapped up in the terry robe and propped up.  Julianne looked like a doll half-reclining against the pillows on the bed.  Finally he picked up her hand and kissed it.

 

            “Baby, you gave me so much in there.  I only hope I gave you half as much.”

 

            Julianne was surprised.  She felt as though Scott had given her more than she ever thought possible and he was worried that he didn’t give her enough???

 

            “Scott, what you did for me, no one has ever done and I don’t know how to thank you.  I didn’t know such a glorious feeling was possible.”  Her eyes started to brim.  It had moved her so much.

 

            “Jules, I-” he sighed deep and reorganized what he was going to say.  “I can’t believe your first husband never did anything like that for you.”  There, he’d said it and he hoped she wouldn’t be hurt.  “I’ve been thinking about it and it makes me angry.  What kind of a man is he?”  Scott’s voice went up a notch expressing his annoyance.

 

            “Oh, Scott.  He had his moments but, yeah, he was basically selfish and I let him be, I guess.”

 

            “NO!  Jules, it wasn’t your fault.  I know it wasn’t.  Only a selfish prick would treat his wife that way.  Sweetheart, you deserve so much more than what I can give you and that guy never gave you half as much.”  Suddenly feeling like maybe he was assuming too much, he asked, “Did he?”  His eyes were pleading with her to confirm it for him.

 

            “Darling, he was selfish in many ways, and I believe he didn’t love me half as much as you do, but it’s in the past and I don’t think of him now, any more than you think of your ex-wife.  So please don’t be angry about him.”

 

            “But Jules, he didn’t deserve you.”

 

            “Maybe not, but he is just not worth being upset over.  My life went on and I found more happiness without him, and when I met you, I found what true happiness is.  You know, we were very young and it was a mistake to marry at that age.  We were only 18 and we couldn’t be talked out of it.  What I feel bad about is that it caused my parents many years of heartache because they had to watch me living in a terrible marriage.  Now I’m in a wonderful marriage and they-” her words caught in her throat.  She wanted to say now that she was in a wonderful marriage, her parents were gone.  They would never see how happy she was.

 

            “I understand Jules.”  The eyes that started to brim a moment ago, spilled over her lower lashes now and he leaned up against the pillows beside her.  He tried to lift her on to his lap but her robe was not tied and it got tangled in the sash so he slid it off her shoulders, opened his and wrapped it around both of them.  All he did was hold her and gently rock back and forth until she stopped crying.

 

            Julianne loved the way he held her.  His smooth cheek against her cheek and his warm skin against her body gave her the overwhelming feeling that he was protecting her, keeping her safe.  She shifted and curled up in his arms and felt very sheltered.  Scott held her this way until she fell asleep on his lap, in his arms.

 

            When Julianne woke up she was lying on the bed with nothing but the pillows propped around her, like a big downy mattress.  She thought it was so sweet of him to do that for her comfort.  Scott had propped the pillows around her and was going to cover her with her robe but the ethereal image he saw made him stop.  She was like a painting in a gallery and he stayed and gazed at her a long time this way.  He wanted to remember the way she looked, curled up a little with the big soft pillows around her nude body.  Knowing Scott had purposely left her that way, made her realize that he loved the way she looked and it pleased her.

 

Looking around the room to see where he was, she saw the sheer curtains at the balcony move a little and saw his shadow.  She quietly got off the bed, picked up her robe and hung it over her shoulders again.  She walked to the balcony door and he felt her behind him.

 

            “Have a nice nap sleepy gal?”  There was a smile in his voice.

 

            “I did and now I need a nice meal.  I don’t even remember the last one I had.”

 

            “I do.  I can’t believe we went this long.”

 

            “When was it?”

 

            “Breakfast with the kids, yesterday.”

 

            “Oh, it can’t be.  Can it?”  She tried to remember any other time she had eaten but she couldn’t.

 

            Scott grinned.  “What they say must be true.  Newlyweds live on love.”

 

            Julianne rubbed the palm of her hand on his stomach and said she thought she heard a rumble out here.

 

            Scott threw his head back and laughed.

 

            “So, I think I’m too weak to cook . . . so, I think I don’t want to eat out . . . so, I-”

 

            “So, what are you tryin’ to tell me?  You wanna order in?”

 

            “Uh-huh.”  She said with a pouty grin.  Scott grabbed at her and she was back in the bedroom and out of his reach, but without the robe.

 

            She ran to the bathroom and he just howled at her.  “You better get dressed or the delivery guy will think there’s something going on in here.”

 

            From the bathroom, “Let him think whatever he wants.”  She emerged a few minutes later, wearing only one of Scott’s shirts and her panties.

 

            “Oh, I don’t think so Babe.  No delivery guy is gonna see my wife dressed like that.”

 

            “He won’t see me.  I’ll be hiding right behind you.”  She gave him a toothy grin and poked her chin out at him a little.

 

            She was so cute, he didn’t argue.  He just picked her up and put her over his shoulder and carried her down the stairs.  She-complaining all the way, and he-laughing and telling her it’s the way he carries bad girls who don’t mind.  At the bottom of the steps he put her down and gave her behind a little swat and asked why she didn’t go get something to drink from the kitchen while he looked up the nearest restaurant that delivered.

 

            Julianne didn’t expect the swat, and as she trotted out to the kitchen, she looked over her shoulder and she stuck her tongue out at him.  She heard him laughing as he flipped through the pages of the phone book.

 

She stood in the kitchen with the refrigerator door open a long minute, trying to think and trying to remember why she was even in there.  She shook her head and closed the door.

 

            “What’s the matter with me?”  She asked under her breath.  “Maybe it’s from going without food for a day and a half.”  In truth, she wasn’t really that hungry up until then so it must be something else.  She went back to the fridge and opened the door and it came to her.  “There’s nothing wrong with me.  I’m just fine, now.”  That was it.  Up till now her life hadn’t been complete.  Now it was and it was because of Scott.”  She told herself.  It was just that she couldn’t concentrate on anything.

 

            Then, without thinking about it, she reached into the fridge and pulled out a couple of Diet Pepsis and poured ice in glasses.  She took them in to the living room and poured the soda.  “I was wondering what was taking you in there.  A lot to choose from?”

 

            “No.  Not much actually, but I was just taking my time, thinking about things and I realized that my life is complete now and I have you to thank for that.”  Julianne felt Scott’s hands go around her waist and he drew her to him.  That’s when he realized she really was only wearing her panties and his shirt.  “Baby, you better stand behind me when dinner comes.  I don’t want no delivery boy getting a free peep show.”

 

            Scott tickled Julianne and she squealed and almost got away from him, when the doorbell rang.  Scott opened the door with Julianne right behind him, just like she promised and when the kid asked for payment, Scott suddenly realized he had forgotten to get it out of his wallet.  It was upstairs and somebody had to go get it.

 

            “Uh, my wallet is upstairs.  Can you wait a minute while I go up and get it?”

 

            The delivery boy looked at him and said he wasn’t going anywhere so, yeah, he could wait a minute.

 

            Scott turned to go and almost ran over Julianne.  Then he remembered what she was wearing, or not wearing, and turned back to the kid and said his wife would go get it.  He heard her laugh quietly behind him and he was about to turn to her again when he heard her bare feet on the steps.

 

            As she was coming back down the stairs, she could hear small talk between them and then the kid stopped talking.  That was when she realized he could see her coming and she made a dash for Scott.  She came up behind him and he put his hand behind him.  She handed him the wallet and while he was paying the kid, she was putting her hands up his shirt, making him squirm and then she ran her finger down the back seam of his jeans and he jumped a little.  He kept his composure but she was loving every second of it.

 

            When the kid left, Scott put the pizza on the table just inside the door and without any warning, he turned on a dime and grabbed her and said she was going over his knee.  She was laughing hysterically now, but when he picked her up to haul her over to a chair, her eyes got big.  “You wouldn’t!”

 

            “Wouldn’t I?”  He put her over his left knee and raised his right hand.  He said brace yourself and brought his big hand down on his other leg.  She heard the Crack! and she shrieked.  He did it again and she rolled off his knee and laid on the floor laughing so hard she was almost crying.

 

            “I knew you wouldn’t!”

 

            “I ought to though.  You are such a little imp!”  Then Scott remembered the look on the kid’s face when he was squirming and when he jumped and he lost it.  He couldn’t even talk for a minute.  When he recovered, he told Julianne about it and they erupted again. 

 

By the time they quit laughing, Scott figured the pizza was cold.  “Well, cold pizza is better than none.  Let’s eat.  I’m starved!”

 

“Cold pizza and flat soda tastes pretty good when you haven’t eaten for about 36 hours.  I don’t know how we went so long without eating but it was long enough for me.   Let’s try not to make a habit of it.” 

 

“We sure won’t do this when we get back home.  Two kids and a little dog will keep us on schedule.”

 

            “You know, I wonder how they’re doing?”  Julianne was sort of hoping they could call but she didn’t want to ask in case Scott would think she was being silly.

 

            “They’re fine.  Don’t worry about them.”

 

            “Oh, I’m sure they’re fine or we would have heard from Kevin and Toni.  I just wondered what they’re up to.  I hope they aren’t giving Penny anything she shouldn’t have.”

 

            “Cody promised he’d keep an eye on things so I’m sure she’s doing fine.”

 

            “Do you think the kids are missing us?”

 

            “If you wanna call, we can call.”  Scott finally started to pick up on what was going on and handed her his cell phone.  She kissed his cheek and hit the speed dial.

 

            “Hello?”

 

            “Hi Sweetheart, how are you and Cassidy doing?  We miss you.”

 

            “Hey Jules!  We’re doing great!”

 

            “Is Penny behaving and getting walked?”

 

            “Yeah, Kevin and I walked her two times today so she’s happy.  I’m making sure she only eats what she’s supposed to.”

 

            “Good going Cody!  I’m proud of you.  You’re a very responsible young man.”

 

            “Thanks.  Can I talk to Dad again?”

 

Again?  This was a surprise but Julianne kept it to herself.  She covered it well and handed the phone to Scott.  “Your son would like to talk to you.”  She smiled as if she knew nothing.

 

            “Hi son.  Are you looking after your sister?”

 

            “Yeah.  We did some stuff today but you knew that.”

 

            “Uh, yeah.  Just checking.  What are Kevin and Toni doing?”

 

            “They’re making a salad and grilling out so we’re gonna eat in a minute.”

 

            “I see. Well we’ll let you go.”

 

            “Dad, are you gonna bring us something when you come home?”

 

            “I’m bringing you a new Step-Mom.”

 

            “Daaaaad, you know what I mean.  You said we could go shopping at Disney World before we left but we didn’t get to.”

 

            “Oh that’s right.  Well, we’ll see what we can find here.  I love you son.  Tell your sister I love her and we’ll see you two in a few days.”

 

            “Thanks Dad!  Bye.”

 

            “Bye Cody.”

 

            “Thank you for letting me call.  I suppose it seemed silly when it’s only been a day since we’ve seen them but it meant a lot to me.”

 

            “Oh, that’s ok Hon.  It was nice to talk to Cody and know that he’s taking care of things while I’m gone.”

 

            “So, what were Cody and Cassidy doing earlier today that you forgot about and had to ask again?”

 

            “What?”

 

            “Oh, ok, play ‘Mr. Nonchalant, I’m sure they’re just fine’ with me.”

 

            “I don’t know wha-”

 

            “Don’t even!  You are such a big softy!  I know you called earlier and you don’t need to deny it.  You wanted to talk to them too and make sure everything was alright.”

 

            “Juuuules!” Scott was laughing hard.  “You’re so cute when you’re on a tirade.”

 

            “You didn’t want me to know you had called because that would mean you were a soft sweet old Dad!  And I am cute when I go off.”

 

            He picked her up and headed for the stairs with her still popping off at him until he got to the loft and dropped her on the bed.

 

            “Aaahh!  You brute!”

 

            The brute was on her in a second and wouldn’t let her up.  Hovering over her, his long hair fell in her face and she was spitting out his hair and laughing so hard that it kept going right back in her mouth.

 

            He raised his head a little and she said he should just admit that he called them earlier.  He shook his head no.  “If you admit it, I’ll go swimming with you tonight.”

 

            “Swimming?  In the ocean?”

 

            “Uh-huh.”

 

            “If we end up skinny dipping I’ll admit it.”

 

            “Sounds like fun to me.”  She smiled wide with all her teeth showing and had a twinkle in her eyes.

 

            “Promise?”

 

            She nodded.

 

            “Well, ok.  I called earlier while you were sleeping.”  He gave her a big grin.  She poked him in the tummy and they rolled around on the bed laughing.

 

            Julianne was still grateful that he let her call and talk a minute.  She wasn’t in a hurry to get back but she did need the contact.  Must be Scott did too.

 

            Right now though he had other things on his mind.  Julianne was still wearing his shirt, a dress shirt that was soft white cotton and very comfy.  She caught the look in his eyes and asked innocently what he was thinking about.  As if she didn’t know.

 

            Scott gave her a wicked grin and answered by unbuttoning the shirt.

 

            Hours later after the sun went down they put on their suits, grabbed large towels and went to the shore.  It was wonderful out and having a private beachfront they could do as they pleased and not worry about anyone bothering them.

 

            “The water is so warm.  This is nothing like the beach we were at with the kids.”

 

            “Well there’s no need of ice cold water here.”  Julianne teased him.

 

            He whispered in her ear, “no, but there is a need.”  He took her hand and led her out into the tepid water and they slowly floated out a ways on their backs.  The buoyancy made Julianne feel playful and she splashed him a little, pretending she was just stroking the water.  Scott submerged and she thought to herself that now she was going to get it.  A moment later he came up on the other side of her and just grinned down at her.  In a matter of seconds she knew why.  He had untied the strings on the halter top of her two-piece and she realized too late as he quickly removed it by the strings and sent it flying in the air.

 

            “Aaahhhh!” she shrieked.  “I can’t believe you did that!”

 

            “Remember, you promised.  Don’t try to wiggle out of it.”

 

“I’m already out of it.”  She groaned.  Scott laughed and then his trunks went the same way as her top.  He dove again and this time came up with her in his arms and walked back in a little toward the shore until the water was up to his waist.

 

“My mother warned me about men like you.”

 

“Yeah, what’d she say?”

 

“She said when one walks by, trip him and then catch him when he falls.”

 

“Your mother was right.”  She didn’t answer.  He kissed her long and hard and she wasn’t concerned anymore that her top was gone, probably for good now, but it didn’t matter.  Julianne knew that Scott loved the way her body looked and she wasn’t embarrassed to bare her breasts for him.  It was one of the times she felt pure delight.  An erotic change came over her and flowed throughout her whole body like electricity.  Such a new sensation for her and it was all waiting for her in Scott’s kiss.

 

In the past, Julianne had tried to be a more spiritual person and a less physical one, but since her marriage to Scott she began to realize that in the confines of the marriage arrangement, the physical aspect of her nature came out more and felt completely natural.  There was nothing wrong with it, and in fact, she found she could no longer live without it.

 

When the kiss was over- “Oh-Scotty” came her breathy voice.  He didn’t smile.  He just gazed at her with the pale moonlight pouring over her smooth skin.  There was real love in his gaze and she felt that jolt go through her.  She floated and let his hands slowly remove the bottom of her two-piece.  She felt free and let the gentle waves wash over her.  It was exhilarating floating nude in the ocean, knowing her husband was enjoying her this way.

 

Scott sensed her energy and began kissing her toes, then moved his lips up her ankle to her calf.  As he moved higher, she began to feel giddy in her stomach, and as he reached the tops of her legs, his lips grazed her inner thigh and Julianne’s back arched as her abdomen rose out of the water.

 

Watching Julianne was like watching a beautiful sea creature undulate in the water and Scott couldn’t handle it anymore.  He pulled her to him and as they came together and found their rhythm, she laid her head and back in the water with her arms out to her sides, her chest heaving, and she released gentle, halting cries.  The moonlight, framing them in the water and shining on his darling, he cried out that he loved her and received her arms around his neck and her tender kisses on his chest.

 

Standing in the moonlight in the water, Scott held her with her legs still wrapped tight around his thighs long after they had made love.  Julianne clung to him as if her life depended on it.  The air was warm but she shivered and he lowered himself and her into the warm water.  It was comforting and they slowly began to relax.

 

“Babe.” It escaped his lips like a prayer, soft and gentle as the ocean breeze.  Julianne opened her eyes, finally, and saw the keen expression of a man with his heart in his throat and gratitude in his eyes.  Eyes that almost brimmed with tears.  Scott hugged her tight, almost cutting off her breath, but she didn’t complain.  It was the first time he had ever seemed to need her embrace and she knew he felt as desperate for her as she had been for him.

 

Julianne felt something warm drop on her back and then heard a groan from Scott.  He loosened his hold on her slightly, and she took his face in her hands.  He might have been a little embarrassed but she kissed his eyelids softly and murmured in his ear that she understood.

 

Back at Scott’s house:

 

“Hey Cody!  Who was that on the phone?”

 

            “Dad and Jules.”

 

            “Again?  What’d they want?”

 

            “Nothin’.  Just wanted to talk to me.”

 

            “I bet they think we’re not doing such a good job of taking care of things here.”  Kevin sounded a little annoyed.

 

            “I’m sure they just miss the kids.  Last time Scott called and said Jules was taking a nap.  Maybe she wanted to talk to the kids too.  Don’t make it out to be more than it really was.”  Antoinette, always the voice of reason.

 

            “Who called, Scott or Jules?”

 

            “Jules.”

           

            “What’d she say?”

 

            “She just missed us and asked if Penny was being good.  I told her you and I walked her two times today and I was making sure she only ate her own food.”

 

            “I see.  What’d she say then?”

 

            “Jeez, Kevin.  What is this, your favorite game?”

 

            Ignoring Antoinette for the moment, “What’d she say?”

 

            “She was proud of me and said I was a good kid.  What’s the big deal Uncle Kevin?”

 

            “Nothing, I just wanted to know since your Dad called earlier.  No big.”

 

            “See, there’s nothing to worry about.”

 

            “Cody, did your Dad or Jules say anything about Kevin or me?”

 

            “Nah-ah.  Dad just wanted to know if I was helping watch Cass.”

 

            “What’d he-”

 

            “Kev-innnn!”  Antoinette had heard enough and put a stop to the “20 Questions.”

 

            “Alright.”

 

She shook her head and handed him a platter for the grilled meat.

 

            “Come here and sit by me Cassie honey.  I need to cut up your meat.”  Antoinette sat Cassidy on her lap and helped her with her food.

 

            Cody looked kind of funny at Antoinette and Kevin caught it.  “Don’t worry Cody.  Women like to give everybody baby names.”  He smirked at Antoinette.

 

            “Just wait till you hear the one I have for you!”  She said to Kevin and winked at Cody.

 

            “I want to hear it.”  Cody teased.

 

            “Can’t be done.  You can’t do anything silly with my name.  I’ve heard it all.  Kev, Kevvy, Kevvy Wevvy, Kev-vinna!  You won’t embarrass me Toni.”  Kevin was very confident.

 

            “Who said I would make a play on your name?  You said baby names.”

 

            If she weren’t holding Cassidy she would have been on the receiving end of one of Kevin’s mischief making pranks.  “Ok, so let’s hear it.  C’mon Toni, out with it.”  He was going to call her on it and make it his own challenge.

 

            “I wouldn’t try to embarrass you.  You were the one who said women have a baby name for everyone.  I just responded to your little put-down.  I was only teasing.  I don’t have one for you.”

 

            “Well! Why not?”

 

            “Are you listening to yourself?  You said I couldn’t come up with one and now you’re upset with me because you were right.”

 

            “I’m not upset.”

 

            “Um, ok.  Whatever you say Kev-vinna.”

 

            Cody started to laugh and caught a look from Kevin and covered his mouth to hide behind while he stopped laughing.  He couldn’t and Antoinette told him to excuse himself from the table until he could get it under control.

 

            “May I?”

 

            “Yes dear.”  Antoinette fought hard not to smile too wide.

 

            There was silence at the table.

 

            “Kevin, would please pass Cassie and me the Ketchup?”

 

            He passed it without a word.

 

            “Thank you.”  Came her sweet reply.

 

            When Cody came back to the table, he noticed that nobody was talking.  “What’s the matt-”  Again, the look from Kevin.  Cody clammed up and ate the rest of his meal quietly.

 

            The only sound was Cassidy’s chatter and Antoinette responding quietly to her.  When the kids were through, Cody helped carry the dishes into the kitchen and rinsed them.

 

            “Thank you Cody.  Do you want to play with some of your friends this evening?”

 

            “Sure.  Can I go to their house?”

 

            “If I know who they are and where they live, it’s alright.  Have their Mom or Dad call me when you get there.”

 

            “Ok.  Thanks Toni.”

 

            “Come on little girl, let’s get you ready for your bath.”  She took Cassidy’s little hand and led her to the bathroom.

 

            “I’ll start the dishes if you’re giving her a bath.”  Kevin finally offered.

 

            Antoinette smoothed him over in her sweetest tones, “Thank you Kevin.  That would be so nice.”

 

            As she was running water in the tub, she heard Kevin whistling the tune she had sung along with in his car the first night they went out.  A broad smile came over her lips.  Not because she knew he was over his little fit, but because he remembered it was a favorite of hers.

 

            When Cassidy was all dried off and in her jammies, Antoinette carried her out to meet Uncle Kevin’s approval.  “Mmm, what nice big eyes you have, grandma!”  Cassidy giggled.  “And what a nice big nose you have, grandma!”  Now Cassidy squealed because she knew grandma was going to have a nice big tummy next and it was going to get tickled.  Sure enough!  He took her from Antoinette and made little wolf snarling noises all the way down the hall to her bedroom with Cassidy squealing all the way.

 

            Antoinette laughed so hard.  It was the first time she’d seen and heard all that but it was a regular routine with Cassidy and her big loveable Uncle Kevin.

 

            After a few minutes, he came back down the hall and Antoinette was waiting with a big smile.  “You are such a sweetheart.”  She put her hand on his arm and peered up at him with puppy dog eyes.

 

            Kevin was going to act like it was nothing but those eyes, those Hazel eyes of hers stopped him in his tracks.  He looked at her a moment and finally a little smile that became wider by the second replaced what he had intended to be something else.

 

            “Kevin, you are a dear man and I hope you know I would never intentionally embarrass you, privately or publicly.”  She said slowly, in a quiet voice.

 

            Kevin felt his heart go flip-flop and leaned over and kissed Antoinette.  “I know I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it.”  He started to walk past her and she almost reached out for him but his words had truth in them.  She knew the effect her actions just then would have on him and it wasn’t fair to tease him.

 

            “You’re right.  My bad,” she whispered under her breath.  She walked back down the hall to look in on Cassidy and closed the door a little.  She went to her room for a bit to do some organizing and heard the TV in the living room.  She finally came out and joined him to watch a Hockey game.

 

            “So, you like Hockey?”  He was surprised.

 

            “You kidding?  I wouldn’t miss Cujo for anything!”

 

            “You know Cujo?”

 

            “Kevin, he used to play for the UW Hockey team.  Curtis Joseph was one of the best goalies we had in Madison.  You know, Go Badgers!”

 

            “Oh right.  Well, let me make some popped corn and we’ll enjoy this game together.”  He was back in about 5 minutes.  “What’d I miss?”

 

            “Nothing, just a lot of silly commercials.  They’re about to start the 2^nd period so you’re just in time.”

 

            It was fun watching the game with another rabid hockey fan but it was about 9:00 and Antoinette decided that Cody should be getting home soon so she called over to his friend’s house and asked the mother to send him home.  About 5 minutes later, Cody was walking through the front door.

 

            “Hi Cody.  I hope you didn’t mind that I called over.  I just didn’t want you to be out alone after dark.  I know I’m just a silly old lady who probably worries too much, but you’re very important to your Dad and to all of us so thanks for coming right home.”

 

            “That’s ok Toni.  We were just finishing up a video game anyway.”  She gave his shoulders a little squeeze and he hugged her.

 

            “Ok Sport, ‘bout time for you to hit the sack too.”

 

            Cody did something he didn’t usually do.  He looked up at Antoinette for confirmation that he had to go to bed.  He wasn’t sure if they were still mad at each other from earlier at dinner and thought maybe he could eke out a few more minutes from her.

 

            “Don’t look at me.”  She put both hands up.  “Kevin’s in charge here.  You do whatever he says.”

 

            Kevin started to get out of his chair and Cody knew what that meant.  He was down the hall like a shot.  Kevin grinned at Antoinette.  After Cody was in bed, Kevin came over to where Antoinette was sitting and asked if he could talk to her a minute.

 

            “What is it Kevin?”

 

            “I just wanted to thank you for backing me up with Cody.  He’s a good kid but sometimes he pushes things a little too far and I appreciated your support.”

 

            Antoinette looked thoughtfully at Kevin.  “Taking care of children is a big responsibility.  Taking care of someone else’s is an even bigger one.  Of course I’ll back you up in everything I believe is reasonable.  If I don’t believe it’s reasonable, I won’t challenge you in front of them, I’ll wait until we’re alone.”

 

            Kevin was surprised by her frankness and still pleased that she cooperated with him.  “You are a real smart lady Toni.  My family always did this stuff right out in the open or if it was behind closed doors, it was still loud enough for us kids to hear it.”

 

            “I have never believed in doing it that way Kevin.  I’ve seen frightened kids and parents who couldn’t agree on the right way to discipline them.  It frustrates the kids and they lose respect for their parents.  Nobody wins that way.”

 

            “You know Toni, I probably shouldn’t say this, but you would have made a wonderful Mom.”  His respect for her had just soared.

 

            “Why do you think you shouldn’t say that?”  She was curious, but kind.

 

            “Well, you know.  You and Mike were going to have children and then . . . well, you know.”  He was suddenly wishing he hadn’t said anything.  It was such an awful thing to bring up.

 

            Antoinette put her hand on the side of his head and brought it down to his jaw, gathering some of his hair in her hand and letting it rest on his shoulder.  She looked at him with a gentle gaze, eyes glistening and smiled at him to tell him it was alright. 

 

“Kevin, I don’t mourn for Mike anymore or for our unborn children.  It’s so kind of you to care about it this way but I’m really fine.”

 

            Kevin put his large soft hand over her little hand and patted it, then kissed it before giving it back.  It was hard to be alone with each other, even with the kids just down the hall but they had a responsibility to carry out and they would not let Scott and Jules down.

 

            It helped that Penny came to Kevin with the leash in her mouth just then.

 

            “Alright little piglet, let’s go.”

 

            Antoinette started to laugh because the little Corgi did look kind of like one.  She handed Kevin a ziploc bag and out he went with Penny.  When they came back, the house was dark and Kevin knew everyone was in bed.  He quietly unlocked the door and brought Penny in and took her to Cassidy’s room.  She laid down beside Cassidy’s bed and did guard duty.  Kevin reached down and patted Penny on the head and whispered that she was a wonderful little guardian.

 

            As he walked down the hall, he stopped just outside Antoinette’s door.  It was open and he whispered to her to see if she was awake.  There was no answer so he went on out to the guesthouse and went to bed.

 

            Antoinette lay in bed, listening to him bring Penny back in to Cassidy’s room and smiled to herself.  Then she remembered what he had said earlier about her being a good Mom and about Mike and it suddenly stuck in her throat.  She began to cry a little.  It didn’t hurt most of the time, and it had been years, but she still felt something once in a while and supposed she always would.  It in no way diminished her feelings for Kevin but she couldn’t answer him without giving away that she was crying so she let him go on by, thinking she was asleep.

 

Note: All of this came out of my imagination except the little story about Cassidy at the end. That was a true story of my sister's little girl, Anna. She was only about 4 and the story is legendary in my family.  I simply changed the names.

 

            Scott had led her out but Julianne was the one to lead him back to shore.  It was truly humbling to be married to this woman.  Not humbling in the sense that she humiliated him.  She never would do that.  Humbling in that he was in awe of her.  So beautiful and loving, so sensual and captivating was his bride, that he wondered how she could love a lowly wretch like him.

 

            She led him back to shore to their private little world and stood in the moonlight, naked and unashamed, almost like it was Eden all over again.  So different now from the little girl she was 3 days ago.  She picked up their towels and laid them down in the sand to sit on.  They sat side by side a moment before he thanked her for loving him and for understanding what he was feeling.

 

            “Jules, you were so understanding and you showed me a way of loving that I’ve never experienced.”

 

            “Then we have both been blessed Darling.  You have done as much for me.”  She rested her hand on his leg.  He responded to her but seemed unwilling to demonstrate it.

 

“What is it?”

 

            “I can’t tell you.”

 

            “Please take my hand, Scott.”

 

            He took her hand and held it.  Nothing more.

 

            It hurt so to see him in pain and then she remembered what he had told her last night up on the bed, lying on his stomach.  He had said he thought he was hurting inside because she loved him unconditionally and that until they met, Kevin and his kids had been the only ones who believed in him and accepted him without conditions.

 

            Julianne knew he was in pain and she needed to ease it.  “Darling,” she began very softly, “no one has ever been more important to me than you.  I look up to you and I respect you so much Scott.  More than I could possibly tell you.”

 

            Hearing her say that she respected him this way did more for him than knowing that she loved him.  He turned his face up at the sky with his eyes closed and breathed deep from his chest.  It was like she had lifted a ten-ton weight from around his neck.  Scott was still holding her hand but he wanted to hold her.

 

            Opening his eyes, he saw a shooting star in the night sky and did what he’d heard others had done for centuries.  He wasn’t superstitious but he made the wish that was in his heart anyway.  Then he turned to her and put his arms around her and they lay down in each other’s arms.  It was so comforting, feeling her soft, fragrant skin and feeling her accepting heart beat against his that he eventually fell asleep on the beach with her arms around him.

 

            Julianne lay a long time with her own emotions to deal with.  She felt the same unreasonable disdain for Scott’s ex-wife that he had felt for her ex-husband.  How could she have not loved and accepted him enough?  Julianne felt it was that failed relationship that led him to his destructive behavior and gave him such a complex.  She tightened her hold on him and fought back sudden tears that sprang from wanting to erase any pain from his past and only give him a happy future.

 

            She didn’t know how long they were on the beach but she began to notice a dim shade of gray on the horizon and knew they needed to go back inside before it was any lighter out.  She shifted lightly in Scott’s arms and he started to come out of his slumber.

 

            Blinking his eyes, Scott peered into Julianne’s face with a thoughtful gaze and soon noticed the dim light too, so without saying anything, they picked up their towels and went back into the condo.

 

            They went to bed but Scott wasn’t sleepy anymore.  He waited until Julianne went to sleep and then he got up, put on his robe and went downstairs to make coffee.  He could tell she had been awake most of the night so he would leave her alone.  He wanted her, but out of consideration for her, he left her alone.

 

            It was looking like it would be a great day so he decided to go back out to the beach and catch some sun.  He quietly slipped back upstairs and put on his shorts.  The beach towel he used the night before was still in the kitchen where they came in so he took that out and found a deck chair to lounge in and put on his shades.

 

            The time seemed to go by quickly because his mind was busy with plans he would like to make for the rest of the day with Julianne but he also kept going back to what she had said last night.  He knew he’d been in a funk after they made love and she had brought him out of it.  He wondered what he could do for her.

 

            “Hello.” It sounded like a song coming from the upstairs balcony.

 

            Scott looked up and saw his wife standing on the balcony looking down at him.  He smiled up at her, was out of the lounge chair and on the stairs to the loft in a matter of seconds.  She met him on her way down and he stopped her on the landing.

 

            Julianne put her hands on Scott’s shoulders, “are you alright now?”  The bright smile and shining eyes answered her question.  He put his hands on her waist and lifted her above his head.  She almost went forward but he slowly brought her back down.

 

“I’m fine, and if you’ll always love me as you promised to on our wedding night, I will be from now on.”

 

They tarried a long minute on the stairs, holding each other and sharing a sweet, drawn out kiss.  The radiant smile on her face was what Scott had waited to see and now he was ready to face the rest of the day and the rest of their life together.  He shared his proposed plans for the day with her while she had some coffee and a scone their host had been kind enough to leave in the fridge for them.

 

            Scott and Julianne still had half the day to drive around and pick out some treasures to bring back to the kids.  They found some beautiful shells; one was a Conch that Julianne felt Cody would really like.  It was in perfect shape so she put it in a shopping bag she picked up for this purpose.

 

            The open-air markets were fun and she was unaccustomed to walking from one shop to the other this way but she caught on.  It was so exotic and the sounds of Robert Palmer singing some of her favorite tunes made it more fun for her.  “Woke up Laughing” sounded so tropical.  She had heard it many times but it never sounded this way until they were shopping among Palm Trees and being offered tropical drinks.  She was looking at some jewelry and started tapping her foot, moving her head a little from side to side in time to the music and singing the song under her breath.  Scott stood back and enjoyed watching her until she felt someone’s eyes on her.  She casually turned her head a little and looked in the mirror at the jewelry counter and saw his broad smile.

 

            “Honey,” she said in a syrupy Southern accent, “will you please come here and help me pick something out?”  Again, in the mirror, she saw him look up and roll his eyes and she started to laugh at him.  Then he realized she was looking at him, looking at her.  Scott came up behind her with a grin and said they’d take the whole case with them if she wanted but he wasn’t going to help her pick anything out.  Then he saw something he thought Cassidy would like.

 

            “Ok, I changed my mind.  I have a feeling Cass would like these.”  He pointed to a pair of little girl’s earrings.  Her ears had been pierced since she was about two so he picked these out.

 

            “Oh, those are so cute.  But why Dragonflies?”

 

            “Darning needles, you mean.”

 

            “Is that what your family calls them?”  She smirked at him.

 

                "It is since about 6 months ago when we were out in the fishing boat and she wouldn’t zip it up."

 

"Alright, I have to hear this one." She leaned against the case and folded her arms, waiting to hear about the darning needles. He started and immediately got a big grin on his face. She could tell it was one of his favorite stories about his little girl.

 

"Cass was almost 4 at the time and the dragonflies were nosing around us and she'd start to cry and try to bat them. Cody was getting frustrated because she was scaring away all the fish so Kevin told her they were darning needles and didn't like noise so she'd better keep quiet or they'd sew her mouth shut." Julianne tried to stifle a laugh. "Cass sat with her hand over her mouth so she wouldn't make noise when they came flying around her." Scott was having a hard time telling it at this point. "Then Kevin would make noise and point to her and say she did it. Cass panicked and whispered to the dragonflies that she wasn't making any noise and ‘please don't sew my mouth shut.’" Scott finished and he and Julianne burst out laughing. They had to leave the shop because they were hysterical.

 

"I can’t believe that. Poor Cass." Julianne was still laughing so hard her sides ached. "So is she still afraid of them?"

 

"Nah, the next week we went out in the boat; she saw them and got all quiet and I told her they weren’t going to sew her mouth shut. She was still quiet but she got used to them. They don’t hurt anything and now she thinks they’re pretty."

 

"They are pretty. Ok, we’ll get the those earrings, but after we calm down." It took a few more minutes to compose herself and she went back in alone to get them. When she came out they heard "Bad Case of Loving You," ala, Robert Palmer over the speakers and she came out of the shop with a bounce in her step and rocking her shoulders in time to the song.

 

Scott grinned. He sure had a bad case for her and put his hand on her waist and felt proud to have her at his side, bouncing or not.

 

Back at Scott’s house:

 

Antoinette had spent the night with feelings she hadn’t had for years.  Missing a mate, making a move to Florida and the one that seemed to dominate her thoughts most, falling in love again.  That big silly teddy bear was the one and she laid in her bed an awfully long time wanting to go to the guesthouse.

 

            She imagined what kind of lover Kevin would be.  She even conjured up a little scenario in her mind to satisfy the longing she had for him.  A fantasy, if you will.

 

            “Hey Babe, how would you like to watch a movie?” Kevin had the DVD in his hand and put it in the player.

 

            “What movie is it?” Antoinette asked, as he sat down on the couch next to her.  She ran her fingers through his golden mane and he turned to her with amorous eyes and asked if it really made a difference?

 

            Antoinette let him take her to him as the music to the opening credits began playing.  She had no idea what movie Kevin put in.  He was right, it didn’t matter.  All she cared about was being in his arms and being in love.

 

            The gaze she and Kevin shared, their faces ultra close, gave her fair warning that she would lose herself in him tonight.  It was the first time they would go farther than a kiss and an embrace.  They had waited until the kids were in bed and knew that Scott and Julianne wouldn’t be home for a couple more days.  The night was theirs and this would be about the only time they had for intimacy.

 

            Still locked in the gaze they shared, Antoinette felt Kevin pull her a little closer and his hand rest lightly on her collar bone.  The touch was so light and yet the thrill she felt, penetrated all the way through her.  Really, just his finger tips rested there.  His hands were so big and soft that she wanted to take them and bring them just a little lower.  She didn’t have to wait long.  Kevin’s lips found hers as his hand trailed down to rest on her breast, lingering a moment and going hard to her waist as his other hand began to drift toward her pelvis and spread her thighs apart slightly.

 

            “Oh, Kevin!” she said with her lips only a breath away from his.  She wanted to say she loved him but was afraid it was too soon.  Instead, she began to pull his shirt off over his head.  She wanted to touch him, not his clothes.  He had the same desire as he gently undid each button of her shirt, slowly and carefully, and when he reached the buttons on her bosom, his touch was so light and yet it made Antoinette arch and moan.  Finally her shirt was unbuttoned and with his help, she slipped out of it, exposing a black lacy bra that barely cupped her breasts.  They were becoming more erect with each pass of his fingertips, and as his lips moved down her cheek to her neck he gently eased her straps down and deftly unclipped the front of her bra.  His skin was smooth and warm to the touch, and her breasts did touch his chest.

 

            Now it was Kevin’s turn to moan as he felt her go hard against his chest.  His fingers found their way back to her breasts, just barely touching them as he moved his fingertips around and around, creating a passion in Antoinette she had not felt for any man, ever.  Not even Mike.

 

            Kevin was laboring long at this and Antoinette needed him to press harder or she would take over and dominate him.  Sensing a rising need in her, Kevin did not disappoint her.  The more he massaged her breasts, the more electrified she felt, until she pressed her lips hard against his nipple and heard him groan from deep inside.  She lightly rested against his chest and the gentle movements she made as she brushed her lips over his shoulder and neck made her breasts rise and fall away from his skin, touching him and then not touching him, and then . . . “Toni!  I can’t stand it!” he gasped and in a second she was on her back on the couch and he was hovering just above her, ready to enter her and explode.

 

            “I have to stop this!” she whispered to her pillow.  Antoinette was in a sweat by now and feeling the heat in her neck and cheeks.  “I know he has some feelings for me but we have children to care for and GOD if I went to him now, it would be SO irresponsible!”

 

Then something came back to her from her fantasy.  She had wanted to tell him she loved him but was afraid it was too soon.  She couldn’t believe she had thought that.  “If it was too soon to tell him she loved him, then it was too soon to make love to him too,” she scolded herself.  Her tears came heavily now as she felt a burning in her cheeks and her head started to throb, feeling like it would implode because of her tension and not being able to release it.  Instead, she turned over and cried into her pillow.  Antoinette didn’t know how long she cried but her body was wracked by the tension and this only outlet left her wasted and weary.  Weary of being alone and wasted from wanting Kevin so badly.

 

As she tried to go to sleep, she heard a cell phone ringing.  “It’s 11:30 at night for Pete’s sake!  Whose phone is that anyway?”  Antoinette got out of bed and turned on the light.  It wasn’t hers.  She could see it sticking up in her purse.  She walked toward the ringing phone and found it on the couch.  Kevin left it there by mistake.  She was about to shut it off and let the call go into voice mail when she saw the name V .McMahon on the display.  She wondered what she should do.  It wouldn’t quit ringing!

 

“He-hello?”

 

“Hello!  Is Kevin there?”

 

“Uh, he is but he’s not in the house.”

 

“Well, er, this is Vince McMahon, who am I speaking to?”

 

“This is a friend of Kevin’s.  Kevin is out in Scott’s guesthouse and I guess he forgot his cell phone in here.”

 

“A friend?”

 

“Really, I’m a friend of Scott’s new wife and they are still on their honeymoon so Kevin and I are babysitting and house sitting.” 

 

“Ahh, I see!  So he sleeps in the guesthouse and you get the house with the kids.  Smart fellow.” Vince chuckled.  He hesitated a few seconds and then “Well I suppose it’s kind of late to call him so would you mind telling him to call me in the morning?”

 

“Of course.  I’d be glad to.”

 

“Thank you, er, young lady.”

 

“I’m sorry.  My name is Toni.”

 

“Thank you Toni.  Pleasure talking to you.  Goodnight.”

 

“Goodnight, Mr. McMahon.”

 

            Antoinette shut the phone off and went to the kitchen to get a notepad and pen.  She wrote a note to Kevin that Vince McMahon called and the time she took the call and asked him to call Vince in the morning.  She put the cell phone on top of the note.  Then she added that Vince had asked her to wait until morning in case he would be upset with her for not checking to see if he was awake.

 

            Now it was time to try and get some sleep, if she could.  What a night!  As she passed the couch where Kevin’s cell phone was, she remembered her fantasy and felt humiliation at the thought of imagining him making love to her on Scott’s couch.  No doubt Kevin was fast asleep and hadn’t given her a moment’s thought after he passed her door earlier.

 

            Feeling like a complete fool, she went back to her bedroom and went to bed.  Sleep wasn’t something that visited Antoinette much that night and it showed in the morning.  She had worked herself up into such a frenzy and then couldn’t sleep.

 

            “Well, g’morning beautiful!”  Kevin came in the side door from the guesthouse and was going to give Antoinette a little hug when he saw his phone and the note.  “Ouch! You had to answer my phone at 11:35?  Sorry Toni.  I’m always forgetting it somewhere.”

 

            “It’s alright Kevin.  I wasn’t asleep ye-” She stopped as she hadn’t meant to let him know she was awake when he walked past her door that night after bringing Penny back in the house to Cassidy’s room.  Would he catch it or forget he had asked if she was still awake?  She couldn’t look at him.

 

            “Ok then I appreciate you taking the message.  Did Vince say why he was calling?”

 

            “No.  Just asked if you’d call him in the morning.”

 

            “I will after breakfast.  What do you want to eat this morning?”

 

            “Nothing.  I’m just having coffee.”

 

            “You feelin’ alright Hon?”  He started to put his arm around her shoulders and she flinched a little, remembering her humiliation from the night before and in the process spilled her coffee.

 

            “Hey, let me help you.”  He turned her to face him and saw she looked really tired.  “How much sleep did you get last night?”

 

            “I don’t know.”

 

            “It looks like you didn’t get any.  Toni, why don’t you go lie down and try to sleep a little bit.  I’ll take care of the kids.  I’m used to it and-”

 

            “I’m fine Kevin.  I can get them up.”

 

            “Toni, you don’t have to.  I’ll do it.”  He put his hands on her shoulders and sat her down to the table.  “Why don’t you just sit down and I’ll get you another cup of coffee?”

 

            “Ok.”  Antoinette sounded a little down, not just tired.

 

            Kevin was a little concerned.  He had remembered asking her if she was awake last night but didn’t call her on it.  He noted that she didn’t finish her sentence when he mentioned that she had to answer the phone so late.  Was she really awake when he came to her door last night?  Why wouldn’t she say anything?  He felt a little hurt but also a little worried.  Maybe most of the feelings between them were actually on his part and she didn’t really feel as much for him as he did for her.  It did hurt but he swallowed hard and put her cup down on the table and wiped up what little hit the floor.

 

            “I’ll go check in on those kids.”  Kevin went down the hallway to their bedrooms and stepped in Cassidy’s door and shut it.  He just stood with his back against the door and closed his eyes tight.  “Maybe I made a big mistake and she was trying to give me the rub.”  Kevin said to himself.  Then he remembered Vince’s call so he took out his cell phone and called him on the spot.

 

            “Hello?”

 

            “Hey Boss, it’s Kevin.  You called?”

 

            “Oh, yes I did.  I hope, what was her- oh yes,Toni.  I hope Toni wasn’t upset that I woke her up.”

 

            “I don’t think so.  She didn’t sound like it this morning.  So what’s up?”

 

            “Well Kevin, there have been some things going on here lately that I think you need to get involved with.  I know I gave you some time off to help out Scott but it sounds like his life is on the up swing and he probably could get along without you now.  I was wondering if you could meet up with me in Red Wings country and come back to work.  You know, walk on when Shawn needed you and make your entrance during the final match.”

 

            “Yeah, I guess I could but I should wait until Scott and Jules get back this week.  Toni doesn’t know the town like I do and she might not feel comfortable driving around until she’s been here for a while.  Can I get back to you on it though?  Maybe we can work something out in the meantime.”

 

            “Sure you can call back with your answer.”

 

            “Great.  Thanks a lot Vince.  Good talking to you.”

 

            “You too Kevin.  Hope to see you in Detroit.”

 

            Maybe this was a good thing.  If Toni were different toward him this morning, he might have put Vince off but- “Damn!  I forgot I was going to help her move down here after Scott and Jules got back.”  He hit his forehead with the heel of his hand.  “Man she is going to be upset.  Or will she?  Maybe she’d just as soon not have me help her if she’s not that interested in me.”

 

            Kevin went back out to tell Toni his plan to meet Vince and see how she reacted to him leaving and not helping her move.

 

            “Did you get the kids up?”

 

            “No, not yet.  I called Vince instead and found out what he wanted.”

 

            “I thought you were going to wait till after breakfast.”  She wasn’t annoyed but it came across that way to Kevin.  She was just so tired and drained from not sleeping all night that she didn’t realize the way it sounded.

 

            “I know but I decided to call Vince instead so I wouldn’t forget.  He’s a pretty busy man and I am under contract to him.”  It sounded lame but he didn’t want to say he was feeling bad that she wasn’t very affectionate toward him.

 

            “Fine, whatever.”

 

            “Well anyway, I called him and he asked me to meet him in Detroit this next Monday on RAW to show up for Shawn’s match at the end of the show.  I told him I’d get back to him and didn’t give him a firm answer.”  He didn’t say anymore as if he were waiting for her to respond.

 

            Antoinette just looked at him and then at her coffee.  “What’s he expect me to say?” She wondered.

 

            She knew what she wanted to say but those words could not leave her mouth until she knew that he really loved her, wanted her, and needed her as much as she did him.

 

            “So, I was thinking I could go up there and make the appearance and then fly back down here in time to go North with you and help you move down here.  What do you think of that?”

 

            “I don’t know Kevin.  I don’t know anything right this minute except that I feel like crud.”  She truly did and again she sounded annoyed with him.

 

            “Or maybe I just go to Detroit and stay with the show.”

 

            He was smarting and wanted her to know it.

 

            Antoinette blinked and felt too exhausted to get into it with him.  “Why was he in her face about this?  It’s his life.  If he doesn’t want to help her now, so be it.”  She thought.  Then she looked at him and told him she had been having second thoughts about moving so if he didn’t come back from Detroit then it wasn’t a problem.  She got up from the table and went down to her room and closed the door.

 

            “Oh what a liar you are!” She told herself.  “How could you say that?”  On the other hand, maybe she shouldn’t move.  She’d just be excess baggage for Scott and Jules who would be starting their lives over and didn’t need her hanging around.  Julianne was so happy, she was sure she wouldn’t miss her.  Antoinette bit her lower lip and a salty tear ran down her cheek.  “Why was I so mean to Kevin?  Maybe he-oh, it doesn’t matter.  He’s going to Detroit and not coming back.”

 

            “Kevin, you know what?  I think if you don’t mind staying until Friday, I’ll hop a plane and go on back to Madison.  You don’t really need me here to take care of the kids.  You do so well with them anyway and they love you so do you mind?”

 

            Kevin was a little stunned.  He had been the one who was going to leave and now she was going to skip out.  “Don’t you want to see Jules and Scott first?  Jules will feel bad if she can’t say goodbye to you.”

 

            “Jules and I go back a long way.  We can talk on the phone and e mail each other.  I’m sure she’ll get over it.”

 

            “Well, ok.  I’ll stay around till they get back and then head to Detroit.”  He felt so defeated and hurt.  He kept asking himself what he’d done to turn her off like that.

 

            “I’ll get my ticket and take a taxi to the airport.”

 

            “No.  I’ll take you Toni.  The kids-”

 

            “I don’t want to see the kids at the airport.  It would hurt too much to say goodbye to them there.  I’ll do it here and take a taxi.”  She looked at him pointedly, making the point that she could take care of herself.  He put up his hands and said ok.

 

            At 2:30 she was waiting for the taxi and saying her good-byes to Cody and Cassidy.  She hugged them both and did her best to fight back tears but a little one appeared anyway and she hastily wiped it away.  She stood as Kevin stepped up to the plate and said he was sorry she was leaving this way but he hoped she would have a safe trip.

 

            “Toni, please call me when you get home.  I want to know you made it alright.”

 

            “I will Kevin.”  The taxi was pulling up and as she went to pick up her luggage, Kevin took her hand and pulled her to him.  She started to protest that the taxi was there but his lips met hers and her head spun.  It wasn’t a long kiss but it was potent.

 

            “Toni, it’s not too late to change your mind.  I don’t want you to leave.”  He whispered to her, his heart in his throat.  Whether she cared or not, he was going to make one last attempt to let her know what was in his heart.

 

            Antoinette’s eyes started to turn red and they brimmed with the tears she had fought so hard to keep in check.  Her lower lip quivered uncontrollably and she grabbed her things and ran out the door.  As soon as she got in the taxi she threw her sunglasses on but the driver wasn’t fooled.  He just said it would be 20 minutes to the airport.  She nodded and said nothing.

 

            The afternoon flight out was tiring and Antoinette got home to Madison by 8:30 PM but it was still light out.  She didn’t have anything in the house but didn’t feel like she wanted to drive to the store so she ordered a pizza to be delivered.  It was easy and she was too tired to care whether or not it was nutritious.  Kevin had asked her to call him when she got in but she was hurting yet and was afraid she would let her real emotions show so she didn’t make the call.

 

            It felt very strange crawling into bed that night and listening to the sounds of traffic outside her bedroom window.  It was as if life went on without her and now that she was back, no one seemed to even notice.  This was what she told herself really hurt.  Not leaving and not seeing Julianne and Scott one more time and not leaving with Kevin.  As she laid on top of the cool sheet, she found something in the bed she had forgotten was there.  It was one of Penny’s toys.  This more than anything else brought the pain of separation from everyone she loved more than her own life and it brought a deluge of tears.  Now she really felt alone.

 

“Hey everybody, we’re home.”  Came Scott’s husky voice.

 

            Two overjoyed children, their Uncle Kevin and an ecstatic little Corgi greeted him and Julianne at the door.  They were almost choked to death by the hugs and kisses.  It felt so good to be home with his new bride and seeing the way his children loved her, it felt better than ever.  Nothing could spoil their happiness.

 

            “Where’s Toni?”  Julianne wanted to know.

 

            “She left Wednesday afternoon to go back to Madison.”  Cody blurted out.

 

            Scott looked at Julianne and she looked at Kevin.

 

            He put up his hands and said he had nothing to do with it.  She just woke up in a funk that morning, was snarly and said she was leaving.

 

            “That doesn’t sound anything like Toni.  What really happened?  Kevin?”

 

            “I honestly don’t know and I tried to talk her into at least staying until you arrived but she insisted on going then.”

 

            “Yeah, Kevin kissed her and everything but she still left.”  Cody wasn’t trying to tease Kevin.  He was serious and genuinely thought Kevin did it to keep Antoinette from leaving.

 

            “I can’t believe it.”

 

            “Well, she did get up exhausted.  Said she didn’t sleep much and she looked like it.  I suggested she lie back down and try to get some sleep but she really was owly.  I kept trying to figure out if it was something I did but I don’t remember anything.  We’d had a nice time the evening before watching a hockey game and we even had a nice conversation.  I honestly thought we were getting closer and then wham!”

 

            “Well maybe she didn’t like the hockey game.”  Cody again.

 

            “Honey, Toni lives and breathes hockey.  I’m sure she loved it.  This just really doesn’t sound like her.  Maybe she wasn’t feeling well.  But why would she go home without you?  I thought you two had it all planned out to go up North together.  We thought you two would get to know each other better here and things would fall into place for you.”

 

            “Well that’s not the only thing you should know about.  I know it’s her business but she’s not here to tell you so I might as well.  She’s not moving down here.”

 

            “Hhh, I can’t believe this!”  Julianne covered her mouth with her palms.  “I have to call her and find out what is wrong.  She was beside herself because I was moving away and leaving her in Madison.  She was even going to miss Penny.”

 

            “Jules, Scott, I wish I knew what it was.  I might have been able to smooth things over but she wouldn’t open up and anything I said just seemed to set her off.”  Kevin looked dejected and hurt.

 

            Scott put his hand on Kevin’s shoulder and led him to the living room.  They sat down and he called the kids in to see what souvenirs they had brought back for them.  He thought it might take Kevin’s mind off of things for a minute.  He handed a little box to Kevin and told him to give it to Cassidy.

 

            “Alright!”  Cody pumped his fist.  “A Conch shell and it’s perfect!  Thanks Dad.”

 

            “Thank Jules.  She found it for you.  I just carried the bags.”  He grinned at Kevin and shrugged.

 

            “What’s this?”  Kevin held up the little box in front of Cassidy.  She started to tear off the paper and Kevin popped the lid of the box and heard a squeal of delight.

 

            “Darning Needles!”  Kevin said in big surprise.

 

            “Now those I picked out.”

 

            “So like you Scott.”  Kevin teased.

 

            Scott shook his head and laughed.

 

            “Did Jules know why you picked these out?”

 

            “She does now.  She got so hysterical we had to leave the shop until she could calm down and go back in and buy them.”

 

            “That was a pretty mean thing to do to my little sweetie.”  Julianne came up behind Cassidy and scooped her up giving her the raspberries on her cheek.  “Did you miss me Baby Cakes?”

 

            Cassidy squirmed and turned around in Julianne’s arms and gave her a big wet smooch.  Julianne laughed and wiped her cheek.  “Hers are sloppier than yours.”  She grinned at Scott.

 

            “Alright!  I want those sloppy kisses.  I picked out those earrings.”  Scott’s hands went around Cassidy’s tummy and a little squeeze sent her head back shrieking.

 

            It was the sweetest family moment Kevin had been privy to in this home and it made him smile, and then it hurt terribly.  “Why wasn’t his Toni here joining in the happiness of this moment?  Celebrating their friend’s joy and good fortune.  It was good fortune for both Scott and Julianne and she should be there too.

 

            “Hey Kev, let’s go out and get the luggage out of the car.  I think Jules wants to call Toni now.” He said to Kevin under his breath.

 

            “Oh, ok.  You know I just don’t get it.  Things were so great the night before and when I took Penny out for her walk, Toni was happy.  When I got back, she was in bed and all the lights were off so I put Penny in Cass’s room and I was walking down the hall to go out to the guesthouse when I stopped at Toni’s room.  I just thought if she wasn’t asleep yet we could talk.  I wasn’t tired but I thought she was asleep because when I whispered in the door and asked if she was awake, she didn’t answer me.”

 

            “Well maybe she was.”

 

            “She wasn’t.”

 

            “How do you know?”

 

            “The next morning she told me Vince called the night before, about 11:30.  I apologized for leaving my cell phone in here and waking her up.  She started to say it was ok because she wasn’t asleep yet but she didn’t finish her sentence.  She stopped and I think she realized what she had just said.  She heard me the night before but she didn’t want to talk to me.”

 

            Scott looked at Kevin and he could see the hurt in his eyes.

 

            “Oh man, I’m sorry.”

 

            “I am too.  I wish I knew what I did.  Scott, things were going so great and we were both happy.”

 

            “Well Jules will get to the bottom of it and then we’ll know.  So what did Vince want?”

 

            “Well he heard you were married and he wanted me to come back to work since you probably don’t need my help now.”

 

            “Oh, yeah.  We ran into Torrie Wilson and Billy Kidman, on their honeymoon too.  How’s that for a coincidence?  Anyway, I guess they must have told Vince.  So when do you plan to go back to work?”

 

            “Well I hadn’t planned on it at all until after I got Toni moved down here but now I guess I might as well.  He wants me to meet him in Detroit next Monday night and make an entrance during Shawn’s match.”

 

            “I see.  I was hoping you could stay around a little longer but if duty calls.”

 

            “You wanted me to stay around longer?  What for?  You don’t need my help now.  You got Jules.”

 

            “I didn’t want you to stay around to help.  I wanted to see a little more of you is all.  Our stay at the hotel was shortened considerably.”

 

            “You’re telling me.”  Kevin grinned.  Boy what happened with you two anyway?  I never saw that coming.  I thought I knew you but you sure pulled the wool over my eyes.”

 

            “Hey, let’s go out to the store ok?  We’ll get something for dinner and I’ll tell you but you gotta promise your lips are sealed for life.”  Scott made the sign.

 

            “You got it man.”  Kevin returned the sign and said 4 Life.

 

            Scott went back inside and told Julianne he was going to the store to pick up some steaks and asked if she wanted him to pick up anything else.  She said just come back.

 

            “What’d she say?”

 

            “Just come back.”

 

            “What?”

 

            “Kevin, I got a live one there.  She is so over the top for me it’s almost embarrassing but I love it.  I love her.”

 

            “Well ok, so what happened to make you two speed up your plans?”

 

            “Remember Kev, this is-”

 

            “I know, 4 Life!  So give it up Scott.”

 

            Scott shared only a little with Kevin but just enough to give him a general idea.  He didn’t tell him about Julianne crying in the shower and about how she wore a filmy nightgown and robe out on the balcony.  “Just suffice it to say, all of a sudden, after that hot and heavy dream, she was a changed woman and couldn’t live without me any longer.”

 

            Kevin laughed and said he only hoped someday he had something that good in his life.

 

            “Hey Kevin, you do.  She’ll come around.”

 

            Kevin didn’t say anymore.  They rode to the store in silence and home the same way.  Kevin stayed the night but he took off the next day so he could get his gear at home and take care of some other business before meeting Vince on Monday night.

 

            The crowd was thrilled to see Kevin stride down the ramp in Detroit.  It was his crowd and he received a standing O from everyone in the place.  His little buddy, Shawn was in trouble and needed help.  Where else would the man be, if not in Shawn’s corner?  He knew, but it wasn’t possible.  Well, maybe it was, but she didn’t want it.

 

            Kevin threw himself into his work and started getting put over a little more than he was before he left to help Scott.  Terri corralled him for a pre-match interview and one of the questions she brought up was how Scott Hall was doing since his neck injury and surgery.  Kevin didn’t smile on camera that much lately, he was all business, but this brought a broad smile to his face and he said Scott had recovered very well from the surgery and was grateful for all the love and support he’d received through fan letters and the good wishes of the entire WWE family.  Terri was happy to hear it and then said she’d heard a rumor that Scott had recently remarried.  Kevin said yes he had and his new wife was a marvelous woman who loved him and would be a great Step-mom to his kids.  Then he put his hand over Terri’s on the mic and looked into the camera and delivered a personal message to Scott and Julianne.

 

            “Scott, Jules, I love ya and I can’t wait to see you again.  I’m happy for ya buddy and so is everyone else here.  Hope you can come back and be my tag partner someday.  We were never better than we were as the Outsiders.”  He finished with a huge grin and the camera went off with him panning to it like the big goof he is.

 

            Scott, Julianne and the kids were sitting in their living room watching and Julianne detected a little emotion in Scott’s face.  She snuggled up close to him and kissed his cheek.  He responded and said he thought it must be somebody’s bedtime.  He looked at the kids and then Penny turned to look at them and they cracked up.  True to form, she saw Kevin and started drooling.

 

            Scott wasn’t the only one feeling some emotion.  Another party was sitting and watching him, fighting back tears.  She recalled her conversation with Julianne the day they returned from their honeymoon and Julianne didn’t go easy on her.  She grilled her pretty good until she got to the bottom of it.  She had to promise not to tell Scott and Julianne kept her promise, sort of.  Only giving Scott a sketchy outline of what Antoinette had gone through, he got the picture.  There was nothing they could really do for her except to keep in touch with both her and Kevin.

 

            That week was the hardest but Antoinette gradually began to put her life back together and went back to work.  It was rough but if she was going to succeed in getting over Kevin, she needed to keep busy.  Seeing him on TV wasn’t easy but she couldn’t resist and it still gave her a thrill to see him.  He looked so good, but he didn’t look happy.  She felt somehow responsible for that.  She still remembered what he said when he kissed her goodbye and it stuck in her throat every time she thought of it.

 

            About three weeks went by and Antoinette felt she was doing pretty good because even when she thought of Kevin, like every waking moment, it wasn’t so painful.  Not until one day when she was listening to a radio station that devoted the entire day to just one artist or group.  This day it was Fleetwood Mac.  They had been her favorite and she’d seen them every time they came to Madison.  Right from the very beginning when Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the group.

 

            Antoinette remembered one song in particular that she loved and until today she would sing along with it and felt the same bittersweet emotion that Christine McVie had when she recorded it for her lover.  It was “Wish You Were Here.”  She would be on the road and Dennis Wilson was in California, so far away from her.  Then one day he died and Christine did not sing that song again.  Antoinette had heard of his death on the radio and it was on TV.  This devastated her, even though she wasn’t personally involved.

 

            Today when the DJ played the song, Antoinette began to sing along with it when suddenly the words caught in her throat and she had to stop.  She was in her car and she had to pull over because she couldn’t see to drive.  It was raining hard but her own tears were blinding her vision and the power of that song took over and tore into her with a vengeance.  She sat with the car idling and hearing the bittersweet ballad that told her she wasn’t over Kevin.  Her heart was breaking over him.

 

~There's distance between us~
~and you're on my mind~
~as I lay here in the darkness~
~I can find no peace inside~

~ I wish you were here~
~holding me tight~
~if I had you near~
~it would make it alright~
~I wish you were here~
~'cause I feel like a child tonight~

~There's rain on my window~
~I can count the drops~
~but I can't help feeling lonely~
~there's no way I can stop~

~ I wish you were here~
~holding me tight~
~if I had you near~
~it would make it alright~
~I wish you were here~
~'cause I feel like a child tonight~

~Each moment is a memory~
~time is so unkind~
~every hour, filled with an emptiness ~
~I can't hide~

~There's distance between us~
~and you're on my mind~
~as I lay here in the darkness~
~I can find no peace inside~

            Antoinette had no idea how long she had sat in her car sobbing and feeling so alone but the rain finally stopped and the sun was coming out.  Why would the sun come out when she was in such pain?  She needed the rain and storm clouds to help her get home and hide her pain away.  As she drove home, something inside her head began to tell her that she was the one causing her own pain.  How it came to her she didn’t know.  It was just a revelation and gradually, she began to enjoy the feeling of the sun on her and a calm seemed to set in as the revelation became clearer to her.

 

            “Kevin didn’t turn away from me.  He was trying to feel me out on what he should do about going to work again.”  Antoinette had been in such a fog that morning that what he was doing just didn’t compute.  Then she remembered the hurt in his eyes and the sound of his voice as he presented it all to her and it was as if the veil had been lifted and she finally got it for the first time.  “He said he didn’t want me to leave.  He said he loved me with that goodbye kiss.  What is wrong with me?!”

 

            “Hello?”

 

            “Hello Jules, it’s Toni.”

 

            “Toni, Honey.  I’m so glad to hear from you.  How are you?”

 

            “I think I’m ok but I need some help.”

 

            “Name it Toni.”

 

            “I need to see Kevin.  ASAP!”

 

            “Oh, Toni!  Really?”

                       

            “Yes Jules, really.  I feel like I had an epiphany today about him and me and it was there all along but I was too dense to see it.  It just came to me a couple of minutes ago and I need to see him.  I can’t wait.”

 

            “Honey, he’s going to be here this weekend.  He called to ask if he could join us for our one-month anniversary so you have to come too.  He will be so happy Toni.”

 

            “You sure?”

 

            “Toni, he asks about you every time we talk to him.  Have you seen him on RAW?  He almost never smiles.”

 

            “I know.”  Antoinette said a little downcast.

 

            “Listen, you get on a plane and get your little tush down here for this weekend.  We’ll ask him to meet you at the airport.  We won’t tell him it’s you but we’ll feign some reason that we can’t meet a friend who is flying in to see us.  If we have to lie to him, we will.  I promise you Toni, he loves you so much and it will be the greatest moment of your lives.  You won’t regret it.”

 

            “Ok, ok.”  Antoinette was getting the picture.  “I will do it.  I trust you Jules and I’m sure if you say Kevin loves me and he’ll be happy to see me then it’s true.”

 

            “Oh, Toni I can’t wait to tell Scott.  We’ll have to keep it from the kids though.  You know how well Cody keeps it zipped up.”

 

            They both laughed and hatched their plan.

 

            Antoinette didn’t really have much time but she did get a free hour or two to go shopping for a gift for Scott and Jules and got her ticket.  Before she knew it, she was in the air and flying to . . . the most wonderful man in the world.

 

            Scott and Jules had carried off their little scheme perfectly.  Cody was a little suspicious but a snappy look from Julianne put him right.  He was to be on his best behavior.  She almost never did that but too much was riding on this and she couldn’t chance having him spoil it.  So Scott sent Kevin to the airport to pick up an old friend of theirs flying in from Minneapolis, MN.  It wasn’t a lie.  Antoinette had to get a ride up to Minneapolis to catch her flight there, so Kevin was none the wiser.

 

            Kevin did wonder though how he’d know who their friend was and Julianne assured him their friend would know who he was so not to worry.  He was off and heading to the airport.

 

            Antoinette was a bundle of nerves, not so much because she wasn’t sure how Kevin would react, but more because of the way she would.  The butterflies were almost getting out of hand when her plane landed and she had to get off the plane.  She didn’t know how her legs carried her down the ramp to the area where people greeted passengers they were meeting but somehow she made it to that point.

 

            Kevin was there and looking very handsome and she somehow avoided letting him see her as she made her way through the crowd.  She waited until everyone had left the plane and when he began looking around wondering what happened to the person he was supposed to meet, she lightly tapped him on the shoulder.  He turned around and found her arms around his waist, and she was smiling wide.

 

            “I was wondering when you wou-” Antoinette never finished.  She was gathered up into his arms, those strong arms she felt so safe in and his lips met hers instantly.  People walked by amused and chuckling because two people were standing in the middle of the airport, clinging to one another, lips locked, for several minutes.  When their lips finally parted, Kevin put his hands on either side of her face and smiled through grateful tears and told her she was never getting out of his sight again.  She, just as grateful, said she would hold him to that.