Ladies of Liberty

Chapter 9

“Is the baby asleep?” Owen asked.

“Yes, like a little angel,” Molly said with a smile as she sat down beside her husband on the sofa.

“Our beautiful baby.”

“We didn’t think so a week ago,” Molly reminded him.

“Taylor was beautiful even with no sleep.”

“We are very lucky.”

“Yes, Brian and Justin and Claire, and everyone was wonderful.”

“Are you really okay with the idea of building a cottage out there?” Molly asked, her face serious and her eyes shining with love. “If you really don’t want to do it, we don’t have to…”

“Molly, I understand what the cottage would mean to you, and I’ve actually been looking into our finances. I think we can keep this apartment for when we’re in the city and have the cottage for when we want some peace and quiet or to get away from…”

“Your mother?” Molly giggled.

Owen shook his head. “Well, I love my mother, but sometimes…”

“She becomes too much like your grandmother.”

Now it was Owen’s turn to giggle. “No one’s like my grandmother. Don’t ever let Sarah Kingsley hear you compare her to anyone else. She’s one of a kind.”

Molly laughed. “I was totally planning to go up to her and say, ‘Sharon is so much like you. You’re no longer one of a kind.’”

“You remember the withering looks you used to get when you were first introduced to her?”

“Back when she was sure I was after you for your money?” Molly winked at her husband.

“Exactly. You’d see those return in a heartbeat.”

“Ooh, I’m so scared.”

Owen shook his head. “We really should invite my grandmother over to spend a little time with the baby.”

“She might get spit-up on her suit. That would never do.”

“Molly…”

“I know. I’ll invite her tomorrow. I was just kidding.”

“I like having my old teasing and sarcastic Molly back,” Owen said as he gave his wife an affectionate squeeze.

“I like being back. I felt so…”

“Lost?”

“Yes, that’s it exactly. I was lost. I didn’t know what to do.”

“Sometimes it’s good having your enormous and crazy family around. They come in handy.”

“Like Brian and Justin with the baby, and Brian letting us buy the land out there…”

“And John designing the house.”

“They are an eclectic group,” Molly giggled.

“I love being here with you in our home,” Owen said softly.

“And our son sleeping peacefully in the bedroom.”

“It’s just about perfect,” Owen agreed.

“Just about perfect! It is perfect, and don’t you forget it, mister.”

Owen laughed and pulled Molly over on top of him. “I love you, Molly Brenner.”

“I love you right back.”

 

*****
 

“Seth, have you got any room in your suitcase?” Jennifer asked.

The newlyweds were trying to figure out how to pack everything they had bought in Aruba. They would leave the next day for their flight back to Pittsburgh.

“I don’t think I can squeeze in one more thing,” Seth sighed.

“Damn! What am I going to do?”

“I seem to remember Brian talking about how he shipped things from St. Augustine,” Seth suggested.

“Yeah, but that was within the U.S. Shipping from here might take weeks, and I want to give my gifts to people when we get there.”

“Then there’s only one solution,” Seth said with a smile.

“Oh, and what might that be?”

“We go into town and buy another suitcase just for our purchases.”

“Oh, good idea. Now, why didn’t I think of that?”

“That’s what you married me for,” Seth chuckled.

“Just one of your many fine attributes.”

“Let’s get ready and go into town for lunch,” Seth suggested.

“Okay, and maybe I could find another little outfit for Bree and Taylor,” Jennifer said as she thought about their excursion.

“Maybe we need to buy two suitcases,” Seth said as he shook his head.

 

*****
 

“Well, hello again,” Lindsay greeted Jamie as she strolled into the Bloom Gallery.

“Hi,” Jamie smiled brightly.

“No, classes today?”

“Not today. I was wondering what you thought of my portfolio.”

“I think your work is lovely.”

“Just lovely?”

“More than lovely. The gallery sponsors exhibits of local artists. We have an area of the gallery devoted to them. I’d like to show a few of your pieces including the one I saw at the Institute. I think that one is exquisite.”

“When would you like them?”

“Tomorrow soon enough?”

“Really?” Jamie asked excitedly.

“Yes, really. Is paper your only medium?”

“For now. I make my own paper and dye it to match my moods then store it until I’m ready to ‘paint.’ Do you think my work will garner any interest?”

“I believe it will or I wouldn’t have asked. The Bloom Gallery regularly sends out emails and flyers notifying our patrons and the community of new artists. Our flyer goes out in a few days; your name will be on it.”

“I don’t know how to thank you,” Jamie gushed.

“Just keep working at your craft, that’s all the thanks I need.” Lindsay smiled back at the young woman.

“The woman that night, is she your partner?” Jamie asked softly.

“Yes.”

“She didn’t look too happy to be there.”

“Art is not Mel’s forte.”

“She’s pretty.”

“Yes, she is.”

“You’ve been together long?”

“Twenty years, give or take.”

“Wow.”

“Yes, wow. Well, I have paintings to hang. You bring me three of your best pieces and yours will be hung too.”

“I will and if you think of a way for me to thank you, please let me know.” Lindsay’s beatific smile was her only reply.

 

*****
 

“Drewsie?” Emmett and Drew were lounging pool side as their fantasy cruise ship was sailing toward the Caribbean.

“Yeah, baby?”

“Have I told you how much I love you?”

“Not in the last ten minutes, Babe.”

“Then I must correct that oversight. I love you, Drew Boyd. I love you with all my heart even without this fabulous vacation.”

“I love you, Emmett Honeycutt. And I had to give you something that you wouldn’t have gotten for yourself.”

“This is perfect,” Emmett said as a sweet young bronzed waiter brought the partners cold drinks. Beer for Drew and something fruity in a large goblet with pineapple and umbrella for Emmett.

“Babe, I know something that would make this more perfect.”

“How can this possibly get any better?”

“By making this a honeymoon cruise.”

“What?” Emmett sat up straight.

“Marry me, Emm,” Drew said as he got up off his lounger, threw a towel onto the deck and knelt upon it. “Emmett Honeycutt, would you do me the honor of committing to me and becoming my life partner.”

“Oh my god!”

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes, oh yes!” Emmett shrieked as he reached down to get Drew up off the deck. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”

With the strength of ten line backers, Emmett picked his man up off the floor to give him a hug. The men at poolside who realized what was happening let out a rousing cheer as the lovers kissed confirming their promise.

“Emm, if we can arrange it, let’s do it here,” Drew suggested when they came up for air.

“Honey, I haven’t had sex in public in a very long time.”

“Not that, our commitment. Let’s see if the captain of the ship will perform a commitment ceremony.”

“Are you serious?”

“As a nun.”

“Poor choice of words, honey.”

“You know what I mean. I’m going to send a note to the captain. Who knows, maybe he’s a football fan.”

“Couldn’t hurt to ask. But sweetie, while we’re waiting for his answer, let’s do a little more honeymooning,” Emmett suggested in a very sultry tone.

“I’m down with that, Babe.”

Hand in hand the lovers went back to their stateroom to continue their honeymoon.

 

*****
 

“Hi Dad!” Molly exclaimed as she opened her door to see her dad and Susan standing there. They were holding several boxes and bags.

“You going to invite us in?” Craig asked.

“Yes, sorry, please come in,” Molly said as she stepped aside to allow her father and step-mother inside her apartment. “Forgive the mess; I haven’t had time to clean lately.”

“Sweetheart, your apartment is as neat as a pin. Besides, you have more important things to do than cleaning, like taking care of my grandson. Where is Taylor, by the way?”

“Sleeping. He’ll be ready for a bottle soon. Would you like to see the nursery?”

This was Craig and Susan’s first visit to Molly and Owen’s apartment since the baby was born.

“Dad, Susan, I’m sorry I didn’t invite you over sooner but...” Molly had recovered from her exhaustion but she still was a little tired. Since she and Owen had gotten home, this was Molly’s first day alone. Owen had gone back to work.

“Honey, we understand,” Susan said as she guided the young mother to the sofa. “Molly, we brought lunch and something you can reheat later for dinner. I know you must be very tired so we won’t stay long. We just wanted to bring over some things for the baby and for you too.”

Molly was very grateful that Susan seemed to understand the situation. A quiet gurgle emanating from the nursery signaled Taylor’s awakening. Molly immediately went into the baby’s room. A few minutes later Molly emerged with her son. There was ‘ooing and aahing’ as Craig and Susan fawned over the baby while Molly warmed up a bottle.

“Would you like to feed Taylor?” Molly asked her father. Craig had missed out on Briana’s baby years; he wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. Craig made himself comfortable on the sofa. Molly handed him the baby and then the bottle. A smile lit up Craig’s face.

“Taylor looks a lot like you when you were an infant,” Craig said as he fed his grandchild.

“Yeah?”

“And your brother too. You were both such happy babies. Peach fuzz for hair and big blue eyes. So beautiful, both of you,” Craig whispered with tears in his eyes. “So much wasted time,” he mumbled as an afterthought.

“Dad.”

“No honey, I made some awful mistakes and I have to pay for them but I promise to not interfere. Just allow me to spend some time with this baby.”

“Anytime, I promise,” Molly reassured her father. Molly could see some of the
dad she and Justin had grown up with before Justin had made his declaration and changed Molly’s world forever.

“Dad, you can be a part of Bree’s life and Justin’s for that matter. They both love you.”

“I don’t know if I can.” Taylor was sucking strongly at the bottle then had come up for air and a burp. Craig wiped his tiny mouth then offered the remainder of the bottle to the tiny cherub.

“Daddy, they’ve been together for a very long time,” Molly said gently, referring to Brian and Justin’s relationship. “Justin loves him as much today as he did back then. I’ve always known that, but I’ve been witness to the proof this past week that we spent with them. Brian takes care of them, Dad. And he helped to take care of me, Owen and the baby.”

Craig snorted at that remark.

“He did, Dad. You should have seen him with Taylor, feeding, bathing, playing and changing a dirty diaper. Justin told me Brian was the one who was up at two and four with Bree. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. But it was all true.”

“But he stole my son.” Craig mumbled the same words he had spoken for eighteen years.

“No he didn’t, Dad. Brian just allowed Justin to be the man he was born to be. Don’t let your prejudices and your pride get in the way of enjoying your family. My silly stubbornness nearly ruined mine. Dad, Brian Kinney is the most exasperating man I have ever met but he’s also the most caring, compassionate, not to mention, smartest man I know. He loves his family and will do almost anything to keep them safe and happy. Please give him a chance.”

Craig gave Molly a sideways grin then blew a raspberry on Taylor’s tummy. The baby gurgled a giggle then burped. They all cheered loudly, even as the sounds he continued to make began coming from the other end as well.

 

*****
 

“Drewsie?”

“Yeah, Babe.”

“Isn’t this night divine?” Emmett and Drew were currently in their stateroom drinking champagne, courtesy of the ship, and feeding each other tidbits of fruit dipped in dark chocolate. Also courtesy of the ship.

“Yes, it is and it isn’t over yet,” Drew murmured as he kissed his newly committed life partner.

Drew’s request to the captain of the ship had been granted. In a private ceremony just before dinner the captain presided over a simple commitment ceremony between Drew and Emmett. The lovers exchanged words of love and fidelity. Then enjoyed a scrumptious dinner in their room.

“Touchdown!”

 

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