Ladies of Liberty

Chapter 1

“Brian, thank you for meeting me here.” Drew stood as Brian walked into the broadcast booth at the Ironmen stadium. Drew had called Brian earlier in the day to arrange the appointment.

“Always willing to lend a helping hand when I can,” Brian replied as he shook the former quarterback’s hand. Brian took delight in flirtatious behavior as his eyes swept the room. Drew was clearly the handsomest and fittest man in the room. He was also the only other gay man in the room. “What’s this all about? And why the subterfuge?”

Drew led them out of the booth and into a private office to explain.

“It dawned on me during all of the celebrations that have gone on lately that me and Emm should be celebrating too.”

“And what should you two be celebrating?” Brian had some idea but he wanted to hear it from Drew. Drew fidgeted back and forth on his feet as he felt his face heat up. Brian’s smirk grew wider. “Ah, yes, the course of true love.”

Brian slapped the man on the back. “So, me lad,” Brian began in his best brogue. “You’d be wantin’ to show the love of yer life a good time now. Wouldja be wantin’ me to be lendin’ you a hand?”

“Yes, Brian, I would,” Drew stated seriously, his smile waning. Brian was puzzled.

“Drew, what’s wrong?” Brian realized this was no joking matter to his muscular friend.

“I love Emmett with all my heart. He was my first true love and he took me back when I grew up enough to make a commitment. He’s always doing for others and never asks for anything in return. We’ve been together for seven years. Seven! Which was my number when I was playing. And he was wearing a seven on his jacket when I first met him. The night I made the mistake of announcing my engagement to Sierra and he had the balls to chew me a new one. Brian, I want to do something special for him. He deserves it.”

Drew’s plea tugged on Brian’s heartstrings, the strings that Brian pretended not to have, but which everyone knew about.

“Drew, I will do anything within my power to help in anyway, but give me a clue. What do you want to do?”

“That’s just it, I have no idea. What do you do for a man who has arranged power luncheons for the rich and famous? Or weddings for the stars? He’s a better chef than anyone that’s come through the Culinary Institute of America, and the most creative.”

“His impeccable timing and creations have certainly pulled my ass out of the fire more times than I’d like to admit,” Brian mumbled, but also realized Drew heard every word. Brian closed his eyes then pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. “What kind of surprise can one plan for the ultimate planner?”

“Exactly.”

“Time frame?” Brian wondered if they had to work around the Ironmen schedule.

“Not an issue.”

“Vacation or gift?” Brian threw out some options.

“I’m leaning toward vacation. He...” Brian held up his hand to forestall the unnecessary explanation. Emmett had never forgotten his modest roots. That combined with a strong work ethic made Emmett Honeycutt a fairly wealthy man. He really didn't need or want anything that he couldn't afford to buy for himself.

“Cruise.”

“Excuse me?”

“A cruise. Take Emm on a cruise. He would never arrange it for himself and he deserves the best that money can buy. I’ll give you the name of my travel agent. She’s very perceptive. She’ll tailor your vacation to your special needs.”

“Special needs?”

“Ixnay on a breeder cruise,” Brian snarked.

Drew quickly got with the program.

Brian rummaged through his wallet to retrieve his travel agent’s business card. As they exited the office, the men hugged. Brian was happy for his friend, Emmett, whom he held in high regard. And for Drew, the man who kept Emmett Honeycutt happy.

“Can I call you if I have any more questions?” Drew asked.

“Anytime,” Brian said in a sultry tone. Drew chuckled, knowing how Brian loved to tease and flirt with the football idol. Drew went back toward the broadcast booth as Brian turned to leave the stadium.

“Isn’t that Brian Kinney?” one of the stadium security guards asked his partner.

“Yeah, he went up to see Boyd.”

“Did you read about him in the Dispatch?”

“Yeah, but that’s old news.”

“Then why is he sniffing around Boyd?”

“I don’t know, maybe he wants Boyd for another ad.”

“Maybe. Boyd still looks good in his tighty whities!” The guards laughed then got back to work.

 

*****
 

“Are you ready, Babe?” Carl asked as he settled in behind the wheel of the Winnebago. They had stopped just outside of Memphis on their way to see Graceland. This was the first leg of their month long trip.

“Fuck!” Debbie reacted.

“What?”

“Maybe we should turn around and go home.”

“What the fuck for? We agreed that we were going to take this vacation. See the U.S.A. in our Winnebago.”

“Shouldn’t that be in our fucking Chevrolet?” Debbie griped.

“This is much more comfortable,” Carl said happily.

“Oh shit! Let’s get going,” Debbie said with a sigh.

Carl started the engine. He was about to step on the gas when an unsettling thought hit him. “Are you afraid to be stuck inside this thing with me for a month?” he asked with a worried look on his face.

“What?” Debbie demanded.

“You heard me. Is that why you don’t want to continue this trip?”

“It’s not that. I want to go on our trip,” Debbie said gently.

“Then what the fuck is the problem?” Carl pulled the Winnebago over to the side of the gas station lot and turned the engine off. The huge gas guzzler didn’t need to be running if they weren’t going anywhere, and he didn’t intend to move on, or back, until they got this straightened out.

“I’m … missing everybody,” Debbie admitted finally when she saw that Carl meant business.

Carl had to smile at his wife. “So am I,” he replied. “But they’ll all be there when we get back home.”

“Yeah, I suppose,” Debbie sighed.

“No supposition about it. They’ll be happy to see us back, but happier because we took the trip in the first place.”

“I guess,” Debbie agreed. “JR was so cute when she said goodbye to us after Jennifer and Seth’s wedding.”

“Yeah, that was quite the wedding.”

“Trust Sunshine and Brian to throw a shindig like that,” Debbie laughed, as she recalled the events of that day.

Carl laughed too, happy to see that Debbie seemed to be in a better frame of mind. “That little baby was as cute as could be.”

“Molly was a real trooper, having the baby without any drugs.”

“It was Owen that I thought was going to pass out.”

“He did turn several shades of green until the whole thing was over,” Debbie chuckled.

“The baby will be a month old when we get back, ready for a visit from his favorite grandmother,” Carl suggested.

“That would be Jennifer, not me. I’m not his grandmother,” Debbie protested.

“You’re everybody’s grandmother,” Carl told her.

Debbie smiled fondly at her husband. “I guess I am.”

“You know you are.”

“Okay, let’s go. Elvis is waiting,” Debbie said decisively. She was feeling much better all of a sudden.

“Isn’t Elvis dead?”

“They say his spirit is at Graceland. It was his home for Priscilla and their baby. He’s still there,” Debbie informed her husband.

“Then let’s go find him.” Carl started the Winnebago and pulled out into traffic.

*****

“Seth,” Jennifer said.

“Yes, my darling.”

“I’m thirsty.”

“I’ll be right back,” Seth said, getting up from his lounger beside the pool at their hotel in Aruba.

Jennifer leaned back and closed her eyes. She was under an umbrella so that her fair skin didn’t get fried by the hot Caribbean sun. She was so happy. She and Seth had flown to Aruba for their honeymoon, after they had made sure that Molly and her new baby were fine.

She smiled as she thought about their wedding. Everything had been so perfect. The gardens at Edna’s Treasures were so beautiful and the day had turned out to be glorious after all the rain. All their family and friends were assembled, and were so happy for them. Molly had made it down the aisle, and Bree had performed her duties as flowergirl impeccably. Justin had walked her proudly down the aisle. She had looked into Seth’s eyes and seen the love he had for her. And then all hell had broken loose as Molly’s water broke.

Jennifer chuckled to herself. Father Tom had rushed them through their vows before Dr. Dan took over and walked Molly back to the cottage. Brian was having apoplexy about a baby being born in his bed, but he couldn’t stop the course of nature. Molly had been so brave and had a beautiful baby to show for all her efforts. Both mother and child were doing fine. Another grandchild, Jennifer thought to herself. She was so lucky to be blessed with grandchildren. If the new baby was anything like Briana, she would have two very smart and creative grandchildren. But better than that she would have two very loving grandchildren.

“Here you are, sweetheart,” Seth said as he held out a frosty island concoction in a large glass.

Jennifer took it and sipped tentatively. “It tastes divine,” she cooed happily. “What do they call this one?”

“It’s today’s special, Pineapple Aruba,” Seth informed her as he sat down on his chaise and sipped his own drink.

Jennifer took a bite of the pineapple piece that adorned the lip of her glass. “The pineapple’s almost as good as the drink.”

“Maybe better,” Seth said as he nibbled on his own pineapple.

“I may have to have another one of these later on,” Jennifer replied as she ate the rest of her pineapple and took a long sip of the delicious drink.

“Just be careful,” Seth advised. “I have a feeling these things could sneak up on you without any warning.”

“You could be right,” Jennifer laughed.

“Are you having a good time here?” Seth asked extending his hand so Jennifer could take it. He liked nothing better than touching his new bride at every opportunity.

“I’m enjoying every minute of it. It’s lovely to be away … just the two of us.”

“But…?” Seth asked. He could hear the “but” at the end of her sentence.

“I was just thinking about Molly and her first child.”

“Missing them a bit?’

“Just a bit.”

“I’m sure they’re fine or we would have heard otherwise.”

“Yes,” Jennifer agreed. “That old adage about no news being good news is usually true.”

“But you’d like some verification for your own peace of mind?”

“I would,” Jennifer stated.

“Then why don’t we call them when we go back to the room?”

“I’d like that.”

“And you can tell them what a wonderful time you’re having here,” Seth said with a big smile.

“That I will,” Jennifer agreed, “because I really am having a wonderful time. You’ve made this the perfect honeymoon, although I only have one other one to compare it to.”

“I hope this one measures up favorably.”

“It’s been great so far, and I’m sure it will continue to be that way.” Jennifer squeezed Seth’s hand. “You know, I’m suddenly feeling like a little nap before dinner.”

“I could go for that too,” Seth smiled.

“Then let’s go back to the room.”

Seth stood up and offered Jennifer his hand to help her up. She set down her now empty drink glass. “After our nap, we can call Molly and then have another one of those delicious drinks.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Seth agreed, as he escorted his beautiful new wife back to their room.

 

*****
 

“Molly?”

“Mom, is that you?”

“Yes, honey, can you hear me? Oh, these are horrible connections,” Jennifer grumbled.

“I can hear you fine, Mom. Is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, sweetheart. I just wanted to call to make sure you and the baby are all right. Am I calling too late?”

“We’re fine, we’re all fine,” Molly said as she rolled her eyes at Owen. The new father was blissfully changing a nasty diaper. “It’s only eight o’clock; it’s not like we’re in a different time zone.”

“We just wanted to call to see how you all are. Seth and I were about to go to dinner.”

“Dinner? I though you liked your meals a little earlier than this?”

“Well, we were napping.” Jennifer blushed as she heard her daughter chuckle.

“Napping. Is that what they’re calling it now,” Molly teased. “Mom, we’re fine, I promise you.”

“But we had to leave and I was worried.”

“I know but Doctor Dan said that babies were coming into this world just like ours since the beginning of time. And he said even though it was years since he delivered a baby, it was just like riding a bike. Besides, Claire was there and she used to mid-wife for Bridgeton.”

“Honey...”

“Mom, Brian arranged for an ambulance to take us into Pittsburgh. Doctor Dan and Claire rode with us. We met our doctor at Allegheny and we’re all fine.”

“You’re sure.”

“Yes, Mom, I’m sure. The baby is perfect. Taylor has ten fingers and ten toes and a set of lungs that would make Debbie proud. Now don’t you think it’s time for you and Seth to go to dinner so that you can both keep up your strength for all that napping? You’re a beautiful woman, Mom, and he is a virile man. Isn’t he? There should be lots of napping and less phone calls.”

“All right, if you insist.”

“I insist. We’ll see you in a couple of weeks and I expect details.”

“Molly!”

“Of the island, Mom.”

“Oh,” Jennifer giggled. “Of course with all this napping, I haven’t seen much of it. But they do keep a clean ceiling in our room.”

“Hanging up now, Mom. I love you and all my love to Seth.”

“Love you too, sweetheart. You kiss my grandchild and my son-in-law for me. Bye, honey.”

“Bye, Mom.”

“Your mother and Seth really going at it that much?” Owen asked.

“Apparently. Scary, isn’t it?”

“Not at all. I hope we’ll still be napping when we’re their age,” Owen said with a wistful smile.

“I wish I could do some napping now and not the kind with my eyes closed.”

“Mol, you’ve just had a baby. You need time to heal and to get strong. I can wait. And there’s other things we can do besides napping. For now, I’m happy just to cuddle with you and Taylor.”

“I love you, Owen,” Molly said as she yawned.

“Love you too,” he whispered as he held his wife close as she dropped off to sleep. With the baby peacefully sleeping in the crib, Owen joined his family in slumber.
 

Dear Sunshine Files Fans

By a majority of 2:1 (26:13 and one vote for twins), Molly and Owen have a baby boy, Taylor Brenner!

Thank you all for your feedback and votes.  We hope you will enjoy the "Ladies of Liberty."

Thyme and Sabina

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