Chapter Ten

The next couple of weeks of filming went rather smoothly. Griff stayed out of Lacy's way, as she was busy wooing the young starlet. Michael did his part to intervene, plying Shanti with attention and compliments but Ryan could tell his heart wasn't in it.

As the young assistant director finished up coordinating the afternoon schedule for some exterior scenes he was going to shoot, Ryan stopped to talk with him. "Michael, can we talk?"

Handing the paper to his boss, Michael asked. "You want some changes to it?"

Shoving them back at the younger man, Ryan said. "No, I trust you have it under control. Listen….." Scanning the empty set, he continued. "…you and Griff… I know you got this thing going with Shanti."

Michael started to protest but halted himself.

"It's not been a problem really… at least not on the set." Ryan clasped the dark haired man's shoulder. "I know about the bet…."

"It's not really a bet, Ryan… more like…."

"You like her, don't you?"

"Yeah, she's cute and funny and… nice."

"Nice? Griff is nice?" The director pondered this novel idea.

Stunned, by this revelation, Michael countered. "We're just friends."

"Okay, if you say so." Ryan nudged the young man forward, leading him off the set. "I don't want you to get hurt. She's only out for herself."

Michael stopped abruptly. "Please don't say that…. I… nothing."

Seeing that his young friend had it bad, Ryan gave him a reprieve. "I'm there for you if you ever need to talk."

Michael shook his head in acceptance of the genuine offer.

************************

"Mark, are you all set?"

Nervously, Mark played with the small box in his coat pocket. "Yes. I think."

"Next week is the fourth of July. You and Julie and the kids are coming to our home, right?" Gage asked.

"That's the plan."

"Then we're good to go." The blonde turned to leave.

"Gage, wait up a minute." Mark turned serious. "Can we talk…it's kinda important."

"Sure." Gage sat down in the chair across from Mark.

"After the fourth, I need to head to New York for a couple of weeks."

"No problem."

"We have that location shoot in St. Louis then and I want everything to…."

"Relax, Mark. I'll take care of it." Gage assured her friend.

Reluctant, he continued. "That's what I wanted to talk with you about."

She saw her friend morphed into full out professional mode. A sight she had seen before as he ruled over the boardroom meetings.

"You've missed several productions meetings…. "

Uh oh.. Gage finished for her friend. "I'm not up to speed about things and I've been remiss in my duties around here….and, I don't take things as seriously as….everyone else."

"In a nutshell." Mark agreed. "I envy the way you go about things…. seemingly without a care in the world. It is a business…. and people depend on us to do our job."

Realizing she had let her producing partner down, Gage vowed. "I'll do a lot better. No more monkey business for me. After all, we have Stella to watch the kids."

"Gage, I think the world of you. You put Lacy and the kids first at all costs. That's something I'd like to be able to do." He slumped down on the edge of the desk. "Guess I'm from the old-school…. habit. Maybe it's all I've ever had… work." Before he could explain further, the telephone rang. "Hello." Concern loomed on his face. "I'll be right there."

"You need me?"

"No, that was Julie. Her son's in a bit of trouble." Mark hurried out of his office. He flew by too fast to even recognize Griff.

Determined to not let her friend down, Gage marched out the door and ran smack dab into Griff.

"Well, all you had to do was ask." Griff held onto the blonde.

Untangling their arms, Gage stepped back. "Griff, that's enough."

"What a tease? Feel me up and then you shy away." Griff moved in closer. "I can certainly help you get over your shyness." Slipping her hand on Gage's hip, Griff quickly moved in, only a breath away.

Two hands shot up, forcefully pushing the overeager redhead away. "No. No way. Not ever. Do you understand?" Gage said sternly.

"Oh, don't be coy."

The angry blonde stepped forward. "I'm not interested, Griff. Even if Lacy and I weren't together, it would never happen between us. Trust me." The resolute words dripped like poison from the blonde's mouth.

Repulsed and hurt by being rebuffed, Griff's defenses went up. "As if I was really interested." She grunted. "Honey, you don't know what you're missing." Spinning around, Griff left Gage standing in the hallway.

Thinking of her lover, Gage softly said. "I'm not missing a thing."

***********************

Slapping his drinking buddy on the back, Koda Kannon bid his farewell. "That's too bad buddy. I'm sure you'll get another job." Koda tapped Tony Kussler on the nose. "You got a nose for the dirt. Try the tabloids again." Koda dropped a couple of twenties on the bar. "Gotta go." He started to leave but turned around once more. "Hey, if you need anything…" Pointing to Tony first then to himself, he said. "You….me."

Tony was still mulling over his friend's comments when the gang from the movie set entered the bar. He covertly took a place near the group in an attempt to garnish any juicy information that would further his plans. I wonder what Blade has for me. Son-of-a-bitch better come through.

It was another usual Friday night for the gang. Everyone was in attendance except for Ryan. Shanti spread her time between dancing with Michael, Shonnel and Ben and talking with Griff.

Griff was biding her time waiting for the right moment. She suspected that Shanti would be willing for what she had in mind. However, Griff had been around enough to know you have to have the right bait to catch a potential disinterested fish.

As the night wore on, it became apparent that Ben Thomason was making head way with Shanti. Fuming, Griff gulped down another drink, now preferring the harder stuff. When Ben escorted Shanti home, Michael was relieved while Griff seethed.

Tony's Friday night observation of the group provided some interesting developments but when Blade didn't show for the scheduled appointment, the reporter gathered his things and left.

After a couple more drinks, Griff became a wild woman. She floated throughout the bar looking for love, taunting and teasing everyone that was remotely interested. Having been spurned first by Gage and now Shanti, Griff had only one thing on her mind.

Michael pulled the dancing woman down from the top of the bar. "Come on, I'm taking you home."

Swaying against the young man, she rubbed up against him. "Just what will you do with me then?"

Michael tried to ignore her roaming hands. He guided her through the bar and out the front door.

Spinning around, Griff flopped her arms over his shoulders and kissed him. "Like that?"

"Come on, Griff. You're drunk." Michael was fighting the sexual feelings rising in him.

***********************

Three days before Lacy and Gage were to head home for the 4th of July family bar-be-que, Lacy opened the package. Maybe this time. She carefully followed the instructions on the box. Before she could read the results, Lacy heard one of the kids scream. Laying the wet stick on the box, she hurried out of the bathroom.

Rounding the corner to Derek's bedroom, Lacy met her three children and Gage engaged in an all out tickle fight. Sammy squealed as Gage tried to protect him from his two older siblings.

"No fair, Gage." Derek yelled. "He tickled me first."

Dani fell over laughing. "Now, you know how I felt when she…" Dani sternly pointed at the blonde. "Kept me from you. You did the same thing, Derek." Her blue eyes grew wider. "Now, come here." She pounced toward him. Narrowly escaping, Derek found safety in his mother's arms.

It only took a half hour to settle the kids in bed. Having forgotten all about the test results, Lacy climbed into bed. She waited for Gage to check the house before retiring.

"All secure." Gage announced, having set the alarm system.

"Hurry up, will you?" Lacy wanted her pillow so she could go to sleep.

Holding up a finger, Gage pointed to the bathroom. "Be right with you."
At first, Gage didn't notice the stick still sitting on the box as she brushed her teeth. Leaning over to spit, Gage's green eyes snapped wide open. She quickly rinsed her mouth out. When her blonde head popped out from the doorframe, she cleared her throat. "Lacy, could you come here a minute?"

Lacy lounged on the bed. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm tired. What is it?"

Walking out of the bathroom, Gage had one hand behind her back and wearing a very smug smile. "Lacy." Holding the blue tipped stick up in the air, Gage announced. "One of us is pregnant."

Chapter Eleven

Ryan White shut down the set of Lacy's movie for the long 4th of July weekend. Since they arrived back home in St. Troy late Wednesday evening, the entire family slept late the next morning.

When the tired travelers finally woke, it was near noon. As Stella prepared lunch, Lacy wondered where her partner was off to. "You seen Gage?" Lacy snagged a couple of grapes before looking out the kitchen window as Stella fixed some sandwiches.

Lacy turned when the nanny didn't answer her. She noticed some sandwiches on the table already and grabbed one. The dark haired woman paused to study it before taking a bite. Mmmmm… Gage makes the best sandwiches. "Guess she was in here earlier, huh? Stella?"

So intent on navigating the knife to cut the sandwiches she was fixing, Stella didn't hear Lacy. Lacy keenly watched Stella cut the sandwiches diagonally with precision. Mmmm… just like Ga…….!

Realization dawned on the dark haired woman but she didn't have time to decipher it since Dani came barreling in the kitchen. "Stella, you got a phone call."

Finally, the nanny looked up. "Me?" Both Lacy and Dani watched as a dark cloud passed the nanny's eyes before she rushed off to answer the telephone call.

"Where are your brothers?"

"Where I left them." Dani absently replied.

Cocking a hand on her hip, the mother asked. "Where's that?"

Dani munched on a cookie she grabbed from the package on the table. "Outside with Gage. She's giving them rides on the lawn mower."

Lacy turned on her heel, heading out the door. "Dani, would you finish getting things ready?"

Her mother was out the door before she could reply. "Uh oh, Gage is in trouble."

***********************

Lacy watched from a distance as her partner pulled Derek and Sammy in the small trailer behind the lawn mower. At least she doesn't have the blades on like last time.

Gage felt an eerie feeling rising as she made another turn. When green met blue, she smiled. The blonde negotiated the shrubs, heading straight to Lacy. She killed the engine and offered another winning smile. "I learned my lesson." When Gage first bought the lawn tractor and trailer, the boys begged for a ride. Figuring she could kill two birds with one stone, Gage piled Sammy and Derek in the trailer and went about mowing the lawn. When Lacy found out, she was fit to be tied. Gage could still hear the fuming mother. She didn't talk to me for two days.

Seeing his momma, Sammy wiggled out of the trailer. "Sammy, hold on you little whipper snapper." Using Gage's favorite phrase in referring to the two year old, Derek helped his younger brother out.

"Momma!" Sammy waddled across the short distance to Lacy. She scooped him up, giving him a kiss. Watching her oldest son take up a protective position near his hero, Lacy grinned. "Come on. Lunch is ready."

The group piled in the kitchen ready to eat. Once the kids were settled, Lacy addressed her partner. "Gage, sweetheart, why don't you hire someone to mow the lawn on a full time basis. We have the money." While they were making the movie, Gage had temporarily arranged for a local lawn care company to maintain the lawn.

After gulping down her drink, she said. "But, we like to mow the grass. Right, Derek?"

Derek slapped her hand in a high five. "Yep."

"With the way you were going about it when do you expect to get it done?" Lacy asked sarcastically.

"Point taken." Gage scooted back from the table. "I already called Steve from that lawn place. He's sending someone over tomorrow." The blonde rose and walked around placing a quick kiss on Lacy's temple. She winked at her lover. Gage placed two hands on her partner's shoulders and leaned in. "That way I have more time for you."

Lacy was enjoying the impromptu massage when a distraught Stella stumbled in the kitchen. "Ma'am?" She directed to Lacy. "I need some time off."

"What is it?"

With pursed lips, Stella frowned. "A friend of mine is in the hospital. In LA. I've already made the necessary arrangement. I know this is short notice but… it's……"

"When do you leave?" Lacy jumped up to comfort the older woman. "Gage can drive you to the airport."

Gage nodded. "Sure."

Placing her two hands on the nanny's arms, Lacy inquired. "Is there anything we can do?"

Relieved for the time off and offer of help, Stella answered her. "No, she's just very bad off and I've…. I…Grace is a very dear friend." The older woman nearly collapsed in Lacy's arms. She helped the nanny to a chair.

Dani splashed some water on a dishtowel and handed it to Stella. "I know Grace. She's nice." The eleven year old continued when she saw her mother's raised eyebrows. "On the plane….. you know, Grace. She was going to see her new grandbaby."

"Can't be the same one, Dani." Lacy countered, still watching the distressed nanny. "Stella, what's Grace's last name?"

Patting her neck with the cold damp rag, Stella confirmed what Dani assumed. "Davidson."

Gage was about to turn away in order to get the car keys when she heard Stella's last words. "You? You know Grace Davidson?" Stunned by the news, Gage slumped to the nearby chair. "I can't believe it." She said more to herself as several revealing memories zapped to the forefront of her mind. "I knew there was something familiar about you. You…. you helped me…."

"Yes, Gage, it was me." Stella confirmed.

"What? Helped you do what?" Confused, Lacy asked then looked from the nanny to her partner. "Gage? You know Grace, too?"

A long paused filled the air as Gage allowed several more memories to come rushing back. "She…." Shocked, the blonde shook her head, still unfocused. Finally, Gage spoke again. "Grace was my caseworker. And, she…" Dazed green eyes met the green eyes of the nanny. "…helped me with my stuttering."

Crossing her arms, Dani declared her victory. "Like…I told you."

Lacy shot her daughter an irritated look. "Stella, when do you leave?"

"Five. I can get a cab." Stella offered.

"No, Gage will see you off." Lacy swung her head to her partner for confirmation. Pulling the stunned blonde from her distant musings, Lacy asked. "Gage?"

"Yes, of course."

"Can I go?" Dani asked.

Derek chimed in. "Me, too."

Not wanting to be left out, Sammy raised his arms to his mother. "Momma? Me, me."

************************

Lacy stretched her long body against her lover. "Mystery solved." She declared but was worried about her partner and offered a distraction. Lacy's hand slid between the sheets along her lover's side then up and over Gage's firm stomach. When her hand veered south, Gage stopped her.

Looking directing into Lacy's loving blue eyes, Gage asked. "Do you mind? I don't feel up to it tonight."

Only feeling slightly rebuffed, Lacy dropped her head on her partner's shoulder meeting a strong squeeze from Gage. "I'm worried about you."

As it turned out, the whole clan had taken Stella to the airport since no one wanted to be left behind. With the nanny safely on the plane, Gage had driven quietly home. Her demeanor remained the same throughout the evening, not even getting much of a rise from the blonde when Dani taunted her for not winning in the game of charades.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." Her laconic response cut through the air sharper than she intended. Drawing in a deep breath, Gage apologized. "I'm sorry. Why didn't she say anything?"

"I know." Lacy snuggled closer, brushing her lips against her lover's neck. "All those mysterious meetings she had was…. just to visit her sick friend."

"Somehow I feel…. not betrayed exactly…" Gage couldn't find the exact word regarding the emotions that played inside her.

"She's a lot like you…keeps everything inside." When Lacy heard her own words, a cord struck home.

Gage pulled her lover even closer. "I remember now…. she…. I… we got along….. well. I really liked her. She didn't make fun of me or nothing… just like Grace. I guess I was five, six… I don't know."

The revelation that crossed Lacy's mind begged to be acknowledged but she wasn't about to interrupt her partner's long awaited explanation about her past.

"We… she did more than help me with my talking." Gage smiled. "We played together. I would sometimes pretend that…....." The blonde refused to cross that one time hopeful bridge. "We did everything together at the Center. Instead of playing with the other kids, I would help her fix lunch, clean up…whatever."

A warm smiled graced Lacy's face. Another mystery solved. Perfectly cut diagonal sandwiches. "Sweetheart, may I make a suggestion?"

Gage drew back in order to see her lover's concerned eyes. "Yes."

"Before you go and assume why she never told you, wait till she gets back and then the two of you should talk. I'm sure she has her reasons."

Gage lightly kissed her lover. "For you, anything."

Even after hearing Gage's agreement to her advice, Lacy knew it would be a difficult task for her lover.

***********************

The next morning Gage met with a young man named Jim. The 6' 2" man quietly followed the blonde around the property nodding more than talking. The buzzed hair cut blonde man studied the grounds carefully as if surveying a potential battleground.

After Gage explained what she needed him to do, she asked. "Any questions?"

"Reckon that's all I need." Scratching his two-day-old beard, he asked. "Mind if I get started tomorrow?"

"Ahhh… you know it's the 4th, right?" He nodded. Puzzled as to why the young good looking man didn't have other plans on the 4th of July, she said. "We're having a bunch of people over tomorrow…. how about Sunday or Monday might be better for you?"

Jim paused to scan the yard once again. "Said you're leaving Monday… wanted to be sure I started before then… in case I have questions." Seeing Gage hesitate, he offered. "I won't be in the way tomorrow.. quite a bit of land here. Wanna do a good job for ya."

Gage looked into his sincere brown eyes and agreed. "Okay. You might as well join us for something to eat while you're here."

Jim nodded. Gage watched him amble off to his black car.

************************

Gage could tell that Mark was nervous when he arrived with Julie and her two children, Joe and Jessie. He confirmed her suspicions when he leaned in and said. "This is it. This is the weekend."

Gage punched her friend in the arm. "Good for you." Nodding at the eighteen-year-old boy, Gage asked. "What's going on there?"

Mark took a long moment to study Julie's son who shared the same dark looks and warm brown eyes as his mother. "There's been some progress. I'll tell you later. By the way, Dash and his wife and son are coming back to live here in St. Troy."

The blonde smiled. "Grayson? Your brother-in-law? Guess we'll get to see even more of you then." Lacy and Gage had met Alexus and Dash Grayson on one of their short shopping trips to New York City a year ago. Chance Mallicoat, the one time ever-faithful companion of her friend, Mark, was now securely re-attached to his old boss, Dash Grayson. Chance had served the Grayson family from when Dash was a young boy till it was assumed that his one-time young charge had been killed several years ago. With the joyous news of Dash being alive, Chance left Mark's employment with his best wishes.

Before Mark could reply, Julie took possession of her boyfriend's arm. "Gage, do you mind?"

"No, go on…..you need any help with your bags?"
Jerking on Mark's arm, she nodded. "That's why I have him."

***********************

After their guests settled in and a short lunch, the small group ended up out near the pool. Dani took up residence next to the sixteen year old, Jessie. She grilled her on everything from make-up to boys and even though the nearly twelve year old was several years away from dating, Dani figured she should be prepared. Her last year in school awakened her interest in boys.

To everyone's surprise, Joe showed an amazing amount of patience as both Derek and Sammy doused him with their water guns. Julie explained to her friends Joe's recent problems with drugs, which only further determined Lacy's resolve to raise her kids in St. Troy.

Finding a quiet moment to themselves, Lacy leaned in. "How's things been going so far?"

Julie's brown eyes drifted to her boyfriend. "Hard to tell. He's been quieter… more distance lately." She turned to her friend. "Although he was an absolute lifesaver in helping me with Joey." Julie produced a quick frown realizing she had slipped again. Her eighteen year old wanted to be called Joe.

"Hmmmm." Lacy thoughtfully mused. "Think he needs a push?"

"I'm afraid if I did…." Julie stopped short, too scared to enunciate her fear. "I've decided this is the weekend."

"Good for you." Having heard her friend's decision, Lacy hoped everything would work out for Julie. Maybe I should enlist Gage's help. Lacy had not let Gage in on what she and Julie conspired, keeping the confidence of her friend intact. However, she was not about to idly sit by and allow two ships to pass in the night without sailing to some kind of mutual port. She figured Gage would be very instrumental in providing the shining beacon both reluctant parties would need in finding their way to the same harbor.

Her thoughts were disrupted when a stream of water doused her. Wiping the liquid from her face, she saw standing before her two innocent faces. Apparently, Joe and Derek had been chasing Gage around the pool when the blonde decided to take up residence in front of her and face the water assault full on. In the last minute, Gage not realizing where she was standing, stepped away in order to miss the deluge, which then rained down on an unsuspecting Lacy. The two boys hightailed it away leaving Gage standing alone. Lacy's squinting blue eyes met shocked green that quickly turned playful. Gage shrugged then smiled at her partner before rushing off to find her assailants. "I said it before and I'll say it again… I love that woman but she is in so much trouble."

Chapter Twelve

As Lacy's family arrived for the 4th of July barbeque, Gage provided some last minute direction to their new yardman, Jim. "Lacy wanted me to make sure and see that you join us after you're finished. The food will be ready in a couple of hours." She turned to walk away then decided to ask him one last time. "You sure you don't have something else you'd rather be doing today?"

"Nope." He gathered his tools and ambled off.

Watching the young man for a minute, Gage almost didn't hear her name being called.

"Gage."

She turned to see Joe approaching her. "Hey."

"Lacy wants you and I was wondering if I…. could maybe take your boat out? Just up and down the cove." He added quickly.

Gage hesitated only briefly. "Sure, why not?"
The young man wanted to reassure her. "My dad had one like yours… a few years back. He taught me…. I'll be super careful."

The blonde nudged the young man. "Come on. You know, Mark has a couple of boats. Doesn't know a thing about any of them." She stole a quick glance at him. "Maybe you could show him the ropes."

"Seriously?" Having not taken much interest in his mother's boyfriend, Joe didn't care to learn about the man who, he felt, was trying to replace his father. After his father died, Joe took it upon himself to step into that role as man of the house. He wanted to help his mother and sister while staking his claim as an adult. It was Mark's entrance into his mother's life that interrupted his plans.

"Don't know why really. He loves the water like I do." Gage wasn't about to let Joe in on the secret she shared with her friend. Mark did own several boats including the one at the cabin that so impressed Dani. There was only one thing that Mark ever resented about his father. Sam Calico elected to teach his young son to swim and without much production dropped him overboard from their thirty-foot boat. If it hadn't been for Mark's mom, Doris, he swore he would have drowned. Doris relegated her husband from the bedroom for a full week after that stunt. Of course, Sam was oblivious as to why, because that was the way his father taught him to swim. "I'm sure he'd appreciate you teaching him. Did I tell you he loves the water?" Gage asked again hiding her devious grin. Oh, he is gonna love me for this.

Dark blue eyes nearly skyrocketed out of his head when Joe asked Mark to go along for a ride on the boat. Desperately wanting to form some kind of bond with his girlfriend's son, he reluctantly agreed and didn't miss the smirk on his friend's face.

Jessie, Dani and Derek piped up all insisting on going along for the ride. Lacy's astute younger brother, Nate, read the panicked look on Mark's face so he asked to go along, too. Gage shrugged her shoulders as she scratched behind her ear pretending the whole thing was news to her.

***********************
For the next two hours as Gage ruled over the grill, Julie waited nervously for the boat's crew to return. She surreptitiously gave Gage the evil eye as they both knew about Mark's fear of the water.

"Julie? Come inside and help me?" Lacy called. "Stop worrying. Okay? You said yourself that Joe's an expert boatman. Besides, Nate's with them." She guided her friend to the kitchen where Lacy's mother and sister were sitting at the table.

Lacy arrived just in time to hear her mother advise Lisa. "Talk to her. She's your sister for goodness sake. She'll understand."

Lacy's blue eyes shifted from her mother to her sister then finally came to rest on her friend. "Go on." Julie nudged her. "Mrs. Levine, can I help?"

"Please call me Lynn." As Julie sat down, Lynn Lewis shoved several unshucked corn her way. "This will keep us busy till they get back."

That was their mother's cue for the two sisters to have a long needed chat. Lisa rolled her eyes embarrassed at being caught. Recovering quickly, she grabbed Lacy's arm. "Let's get this over with."

The older sibling followed her sister out the door. As they passed across the patio, Lacy sent Gage a quick wink.

Chewing on some crushed ice, Gage watched her partner being dragged away by her sister. Hank Lewis nudged her. "Here have a beer."

Gage shook her head. "Think they'll show up?"

Hank shrugged, finished his own beer then started on the one he had offered his sister-in-law. "If Denny knows what's good for him."

"Where's your dad anyway?"

Lacy's dark haired older brother sat down in the chair. "Checking on your new yard guy. He considers himself an expert." Hank snapped his fingers as a revelation popped into his mind. "Hey, you know, Gage, you should of asked him to take care of this place. He'd love it."

"Quite frankly, we hadn't thought of it." Gage jumped back when the flame sizzled from the grill. "It's a full time job."

"Stand back." Daniel Lewis ordered. He doused the flame with some of Hank's precious beer then handed the near empty bottle back to his son. "Thanks." Throwing a hard glare at Gage, he said. "Next time ask."

Hank stared at the bottle for a long moment before taking a long pull, finishing it off. When Jason arrived, Hank dipped into the cooler, pulling out a beer for himself and his partner.

Jason screwed the top off and drank greedily of the cold beer. Sparing a quick glance around the house, he joked. "House still standing, I see."

His partner lightly punched him the gut. "If it wasn't, it'd be your fault. You had to go and save money ordering the cheaper material just so we'd make a bigger profit." Hank said seriously, hoping Gage was listening.

"Had to find some way to buy that new car." Jason countered with the same resolute tone.

Lacy's father noted Gage's concerned expression as Hank and Jason bantered. "Don't let them bother you. Lacy'd have their heads if that were true." He whispered.

Gage decided to play along. "Too bad they're such cheapskates." She jerked her hand over her shoulder at the two smug guys. "Mark and I have a twenty million dollar project we were thinking of throwing their way but, now…."

Pushing each other out of the way, Jason and Hank raced to get to Gage first. "He was just joking." Turning to his friend, Jason shot Hank a hard look. "You idiot… I hope you didn't cost us this job."

"Me?" Hank jabbed himself in the chest. Mocking Jason, he spat sarcastically. "Hope the house is still standing. I never know what's gonna come out of your mouth next." Hank slapped his taller partner's head.

Dan shook his head. "Businessmen." He winked at Gage. "Don't worry about the your electricity. I wired it. And, another thing…. I'd love ya to ASK me to take care your place. Be right here in heaven, I would."

Taking a chance, Gage asked. "Would you come by now and then and check on things? Jim seems capable enough. Kinda strange though…"

"Sure thing. Be my pleasure." Tired of hearing Hank and Jason argue, he ripped into them. "You two, shut…." They complied. "..and sit." Before he finished, the two men flopped down feeling like two chastised schoolboys. Turning back to an impressed Gage, he smiled. "Years of practice."

*************************

Joe guided the boat easily toward the dock. He took great pride in showing Mark what he knew. For the first time in a long time, the eighteen year old felt a sense of confidence. Floundering around for years after his father died, Joe was lost with no sense of direction. It was one of the reasons he turned to drugs. "Nate, could you get the starboard…"

Before the young captain could issue his command, Nate jumped up near the starboard rail to secure the lines. Joe maintained the boat's turtle like speed until Nate would be able to make his way to the port side. Memories flooded Joe's mind remembering the last time he was out on the boat with his father. Joe, Sr. proudly watched his son navigate their boat into port. However, at the last minute his dad took over captain duties and ordered his son to secure the anchor lines. In such a hurry to impress his father, Joe tripped over a loose line and fell head first into the water. It was an embarrassing moment and one that he harbored for years because he never had a chance to prove to his father he could handle docking their boat.

Joe slowed the boat to a crawl but Nate was still having a problem securing the line. "Nate, I need you on the port side." Joe barked.

Having seen Nate's dilemma, Mark jumped over the port's rail near the edge in an attempt to help. He grabbed the line and readied himself for the boat's approach to the dock. "I got it." Mark sprang up quickly then twisted around at the exact time when Joe flipped the boat into reverse causing the older man to lose his balance. Flailing arms flapped round and round as he desperately tried to right himself. Before Mark took the plunge, his eyes met and held Joe's worried brown ones. In that moment, they shared a link that cemented a bond between them. Mark splashed head first into the water.

Jessie, Dani and Derek leaned over the port side. "Can I jump in, too?" Derek begged his sister.

Dani rolled her eyes. "Jeez, sometimes I don't know about you Derek."

Joe killed the engine. "Nate!"

Lacy's twenty-five year old brother flew across the bow. "He's okay." He said upon spying his fallen mate.

Mark had dog paddled safely to the dock's edge, climbing up the ladder. He looked up to see everyone staring at him. CEO of I don't know how many companies, respected, good business head on my shoulders and… Feeling totally embarrassed and shaking with fear, he surveyed his wet sodden body. ….it's all come down to this.

The motley crew waited in great anticipation at Mark's reaction but none more than Joe. When Mark finally let out a deep sigh, he began to laugh so hard he fell to the dock's floor. He laughed at himself and at the situation he found himself in. I don't care. I had fun today.

Joe and Nate secured the boat to the dock and helped the kids down. Nate corralled the younger ones directing them back to the house while Joe hung around, waiting for the expected reprimand.

"Sorry." Joe offered Mark an apology.

Mark studied the young man for a brief moment. He took a chance of a lifetime. Wrapping his arms around Joe, he gave him a big bear hug producing the desired effect. Joe was now nearly as wet as Mark. "Figured you had that coming." Silence between the two reigned only for a moment before they both broke out in laughter.

***********************

Lacy leaned against the gazebo's rail closely watching her pacing sister. "Lisa?"

Halting her sister with a raised hand, Lisa vacillated the words she was going to say. In an attempt to brace her sister against the news, Lisa let out a deep breath. "Lacy."

"Jason." The older sister quickly inserted before Lisa could speak another word.

"How'd you.."

"It's written all over you face and… his, too."

"You're not upset?"

Wrapping her sister in her arms, Lacy assured her. "Nope. Happy for you. When's the wedding?"

Pulling back, Lisa was clearly mortified. "Really, Lacy, I haven't even given any thought…"

Lacy shot her a knowing look.

"Next summer." Lisa giggled. "He doesn't know yet. I want to surprise him."

Lacy let out a heartfelt laugh. "They never do, dear. They never do." Pulling Lisa in for another hug, Lacy smiled as she mentally calculated that her newborn baby would be about three or four months old.

************************

Denny Lewis, his wife and son never did show up for the barbeque. They were scheduled to arrive after spending some time with Crystal's family. And, another absent guest was Hank's girlfriend. They had recently broken up over a discussion about marriage.

By the time everyone had eaten, it was evident to several members of the group that something drastic had changed between Mark and Joe. The easy bantering between the two brought a relieved smile to Julie's face.

Lynn was happy to see her daughter finally make her intentions to Jason known since she had her sister's apparent approval. Lisa flirted openly with the tall good-looking man that the Lewis family had welcomed years ago. No one - other than Lisa - was happier about this new development between Lacy's sister and Jason than Gage. Thank God, I don't have to worry about him anymore. A niggling doubt had pestered the blonde for years even though it was quite apparent that Lacy was totally in love with her.

As evening set, Nate and Hank prepared to light the fireworks. The group gathered around and several couples took up residence next to each other. Dan and his wife paired up as did Lacy and Gage along with Jason and Lisa. Mark led Julie a short distance away from the crowd. The kids perched themselves on the short brick wall ready for the fireworks to commence.

As the dark sky lit up in an array of bright colors, Mark tenderly took Julie's hands in his and summoned the courage within to ask the question that would change his life forever. He had determined to ask Julie to marry him and after having formed a new relationship with Joe, as the fireworks burst across the sky, Mark exploded with excitement about the prospect of making Julie Grant his wife.

Lacy and Gage noted the engaged couple share a loving kiss and admire the sparkling new diamond on Julie's finger. Simultaneously, they said. "Bout time." Surprised green met equally astounded blue in a knowing exchange.

From a short distance away, the intensive observing young yardman scratched his short beard before turning to leave.

************************

The long weekend was about to come to an end. Stroking the length of Lacy's side, Gage held her love. "I hate to leave tomorrow."

"I know." Lacy enjoyed her lover's undivided attention. "After the location shoot in St. Louis, we only have a few more weeks in LA… then it's back home for us." She leaned in for a sweet and gentle kiss that suddenly turned demanding.

The blonde broke from the passionate kiss, sucking in much needed air. "Did you forget our anniversary in a couple of weeks?"

"How could I?" Gage's roaming hands left no patch of skin ignored. "Are you practicing?"

"Mmmmm hmmmm." Gage again demanded and claimed the willing lips before her.

"All right." Pulling at Gage's top, she ordered her lover. "Get this off."

In a flash, Gage stripped off the offending shirt. "Your wish is my command."

"Is that right?" Lacy nuzzled her partner's neck as her hand squeezed Gage's backside.

"God, baby. You know, I love that."

Lifting up, Lacy pushed her lover's hungry lips to her breasts. "And, you know what I love. Now, get to it."

As commanded, Gage devoured the ample breast before her. The last focused thought Gage had was that she wished she would have had taken her vitamins. They would be exhausted by early morning light but well satiated.

Chapter Thirteen

Lacy and Gage packed up the kids and headed to St. Louis for the location shoot. Lacy's mom also offered to watch her grandkids while her daughter was working. The actress declined the offer as Lynn was already going to have them with her for the upcoming weekend while Lacy and Gage celebrated their wedding anniversary. Besides, neither Lacy nor Gage wanted to be away from the kids. So Lisa volunteered to come along and watch the kids since Stella was still in LA with her sick friend.

Ryan White was in an intense discussion with Lacy on how her character would react in the upcoming scene. Her character, Jordan, was dealing with seeing her father after years of absence. Lacy argued that since Jordan idolized her father, she would acquiesce quickly when he finally wanted to reunite and make amends for his sudden departure after his wife died.

From the riverbank, Lisa and the kids watched Michael's second unit shoot the motorcycle brigade cross the Missouri Bridge. Gage stayed for a while then moseyed up to where she saw Ryan and Lacy in the increasing heated yet professional exchange. When she heard what they were discussing, Gage stepped up, to insert her view as the writer of the story.

"Ryan's right, Lacy. I know Jordan loved her father but he left them, leaving her to take care of the family. He turned his back on them without any regard for what they wanted, what they needed. He was selfish, cared only about himself….." The writer's intended helpful comments morphed into a full out dissertation. "…he didn't deserve her love and if you have Jordan forgiving him so easily then…." Gage's word faltered on her lips as unsettled emotions welled up inside her. Memories of why her mother left her ran rampant, rubbing against the raw emotions brewing inside.

Sucking in a calming breath, Gage stared closely at Ryan then to Lacy who were visible shocked and stunned by her verbal rampage. Holding up a halting hand, she excused herself. "Okay, okay. You direct, you act. I'll be way over there doing what I do best…. watching the kids."

Lacy's heart sank seeing the love of her life relive in these few moments every hurtful memory Gage carried with her, but refused to share. She started after her partner but was stopped by Ryan when he placed a hand on her arm.

"We're almost finished here, Lacy. If we get this scene in, all that's left is a few more shots the second unit can handle. You and Gage can take off for that long weekend. Okay?" The last two days of shooting had gone well and Ryan was ready to pack it up and head back to LA - if only he could get this one last take in the can.

Lacy acquiesced to her director's request. Temporarily putting her own concerns regarding her lover away, a distant façade dropped across her face as she fell easily into her character's role.

As the afternoon drew to an end, Gage had one of the production drivers take Lisa and the kids back to their rooms at the hotel. She waited in the actor's trailer for Lacy to finish her scene.

When Lacy arrived, she found Gage sleeping on the couch in the trailer. She quietly changed her clothes then stooped down next to the blonde. Lacy placed a gentle kiss on her partner's lips. Gage smiled. Lacy ducked in again for a more intense eye-opening kiss. It did the trick.

"Mmmmm." Gage pulled her lover closer, exchanging small delicate kisses that grew in intensity. The blonde pulled her lover up, guiding Lacy to lie on top of her. "Now, I have you where I want you."

"I could say the same." Lacy laid her head on Gage's shoulder.

Brushing her lips against Lacy's dark hair, the blonde murmured. "You always have me where you want me."

Lacy's head popped up, arching her left eyebrow in question.

Smiling, Gage proclaimed. "Wrapped around your little finger."

Seductively, Lacy countered. "That's not all I want you wrapped around." Waggling her eyebrows, Gage was ready to play but Lacy had other things on her mind. "Will you talk to me?"

"Talk? I thought you wanted action." Gage teased her lover, running her hands up and down Lacy's sides.

Lacy offered her lover a reassuring kiss. "We'll have plenty of time for that this weekend. You, me and nothing else."

Claiming the younger woman's lips, Gage mumbled. "You, me and we have time now. The kids are with Lisa at the hotel."

Lacy resisted her lover's advances. "Gage, sweetheart, please talk with me."

"Okay. I can talk and……." Gage attempted to shift her lover over in order to gain more access to all of Lacy. "…make love to you."

As Gage nuzzled her lover's neck, Lacy nearly fell into the seductive haze of her partner's assault. This isn't going the way I planned. Feeling she had missed a rare opportunity to confront her partner about Gage's past, Lacy allowed a heavy sigh.

The blonde knew something was bothering Lacy. "Okay. We'll talk." Brushing back a wisp of her lover's bangs, Gage winked. "What's on your mind?"

Lacy knew she had to tread lightly. "Earlier… when Ryan and I were discussing that scene."

Gage cut her off. "Lacy, I'm sorry. I write, you act, Ryan directs. It won't happen again. Besides, I don't think I'm cut out to be a producer so Mark produces."

This was an interesting turn of events for Lacy. "What are you saying?"

"Don't get me wrong. I love being on a movie set and having some input into things." Gage drew in a short breath. "It's just that…. the day in day out producing thing… schedules, getting people here…. there, planning every second of the day. Well, it's not me." Gage looked away. "At least, not the way it's typically done."

"And?"

Gage rolled her eyes. "And….. Mark loves every aspect of producing and now that Ryan is part of the team… I was thinking maybe that Mark would give me a new position."

"What position is that?"

A sexy smirk popped up on Gage's face. "I kinda like the position I'm in now." She winked at her lover who countered with a smirk of her own but not nearly as sexy as Gage had offered to Lacy. "I was thinking… consultant. Maybe special consultant to the star of the movie."

"Mmmmmm." Lacy kissed her best friend and lover. "Do I have anything to say about this?"

"Everything… whatever you say."

"Let's see." Lacy leaned against back of the couch. "I seem to remember you wanted me to do a screen test in order to get this part. I'm thinking the same thing for you."

"I remember we were in the shower. And, we needed a casting couch for the… audition." Gage bounced up and down on the couch. "We have the couch. What do you want me to do…. to prove this new position belongs to me and me alone?" Lifting up, Gage met Lacy in a fiery kiss as her hands blazed a trail over her lover's oversensitive body. The blonde's right hand found refuge on Lacy's breast.

Lacy moaned. "Oh, God, sweetheart, you're doing it."

And, Gage did for several more hours.

***********************

Lynn and Daniel Lewis took care of their grandkids while Lacy and Gage retreated for a long weekend of celebrating their love at the cabin on the lake. As they settled in the cabin and the evening set, Gage offered her pregnant lover a glass of grape juice. "Did you enjoy the day?"

Lacy sipped her mock wine. "Yes, Dani wasn't too happy about not being able to come with us. This place is so beautiful this time of year."

Gage eased down next to her lover. "Derek wasn't either and heaven knows how your mom is going to handle Sammy. It nearly broke my heart when we left… he was crying all over the place. I never knew a kid to love his momma… so much."

Reflective, Lacy nodded. "I miss them already." It hadn't even been twenty-four hours since they left their children behind so they could share a few days together.

Pulling her lover closer, Gage offered. "We could go back early?" A simple smile from her lover assured her she was on the right track so Gage made a command decision. "Next time they come with us."

Kissing her lover, Lacy smiled. "I love you."

The candles set the room aglow as darkness fell. Lacy and Gage sat on the sofa looking out the large window to the calming lake. When they were out earlier on the boat, the water offered up a rough ride with all the boats zigzagging back and forth across the lake with vacationers.

Gage refilled their glasses. "I want to make a toast. To you, the love of my life, the woman I love…. to my soulmate." They clicked their glasses together and sipped. The blonde noticed a distant look cross her lover's face. "What? What are you thinking?"

"Nothing really." Lacy leaned against her partner, contemplating an old belief. "There was a time when I didn't think… well… believe in the soulmate concept…. until I met you."

"Why?"

"I don't know really. I suppose it was that it somehow meant I wasn't complete… left unfinished." Lacy shrugged her shoulders.

Polishing off her drink, Gage sat the empty glass aside. "Lacy, it's not really that another person completes you. More like, you are this beautiful painting. Perfect in everyway… with feathery sensual strokes…." Gage gently ran a finger down her lover's jaw line. "on a smooth canvas. With a dazzling array of vibrant colors and soft, gentle curves and angles that capture the effervescent beauty that you are. And, your soulmate….that's me." Gage smiled. "Frames this picture of you…enhances the vivid colors, illuminates it bringing it into focus. I know you made my darker days brighter. It's more than completing each other. When I met you everything in my life snapped into focus… you brought out the brilliance of my soul. Thank you."

Lacy accepted the gracious kiss from her partner. "I think I understand now….and, that was very romantic."

"I aim to please." Gage squeezed her. "Are you ready to……" The blonde threw a sultry look toward the bedroom door.

Lacy toyed with her lover. "You think I'm that easy?"

"Easy to love? Yes."

"Well, a girl needs a little more romance before being carted off to bed." Lacy rubbed her body against the older woman.

Gage's green eyes shifted around the romantic setting she had carefully orchestrated. Candles? Check. Romantic dinner? Check. Wine? I mean, grape juice. Check. Music? Check. Woman in my arms? Double check on that…and she's very sexy, too. Now, let's see what else? More talk! Yes, that's it. She likes it when I talk to her. "Have I told you lately how much I love you? That you are the most beautiful…and sexiest….can't forget sexy, woman ever…. and, very, very intelligent." Gage snuggled closer. "Now, can we go to bed?"

Lacy jumped on the opportunity that presented itself. She knew Gage would be very receptive at this point as her lover seemed to only have one thing on her mind. "You know, I don't even know your middle name?"

Ignoring Lacy's mock resistance, the blonde planted her mouth at the nape of Lacy's neck. "Don't have one."

Falling into the delicious feelings her lover was rising inside her, Lacy moaned. "What's 'S' stand for?"

"Mmmm….. nothing. No name…..just 'S'." Sensing Lacy didn't believe her, Gage continued. "It's true. It's on my birth certificate. I pretended for years it stood for Saint." Gage revealed a secret nugget she had never shared with anyone else. "Don't know why?" After being called everything from a little devil to pure evil by her supposed caretakers, Gage fantasized Saint for a middle name to counter the ill effect of those hateful, vile words that chipped away at her sinking self-esteem.

That simple revelation brought tears to Lacy's eyes. "Perhaps it was because you…. it had to do with your mother leaving you."

This was not a place that Gage wanted to journey, down memory lane. "How the heck does pretending that my middle name is Saint have anything to do with… that?"

Lacy really didn't know what the connection was. Rather it was something she felt. Struggling to come up with a logical explanation, she gathered her thoughts. "Oh, I don't know. It seems I know so little about you. You were given up for adoption but instead went from foster home to foster home. Never really having a home. I know you shared a special connection with your social worker, Grace as it turns out. And, she gave you this." Lacy touched the gold necklace she wore. "You think it's from your mother… maybe. You don't talk about your past and only recently we found out that it was Stella who helped you with your stuttering. Besides you being a writer and…..a few other jobs you mentioned, I don't know much more."

Sighing heavily, Gage pursed her lips. "You know I love you."

"Gage!" Lacy fumed inside at her partner's continued reluctance to share this aspect of her life. "Should I know about anyone?"

Confused, Gage asked. "Anyone what?"

Lacy rolled her eyes. "Sometimes you can be so dense. Lover? Past relationships?"

"Oh…" Gage kissed her lover tempering the sparks of frustration from engulfing the rest of the evening. "You're the only one. The only one for me… that counts."

"Gage!"

"There was this girl. Nikki." Gage spied her lover and caught a jealous glimpse spark in her blue eyes. "I really liked her. We had so much fun … spending all our time together. Inseparable really. Truthfully, I still miss her."

"You do?" Lacy's blue eyes slammed wide open.

"She was my first friend." Letting her jealous lover off the hook, Gage confessed. "We were five…or six." Lacy let out a relieved breath. "I was staying with her parents and we got along terrifically. Then one day, a social worker came and took me away…shipped off to another foster home. I never knew why. But, I heard one day from my new foster family that Nikki's parents thought I was a bad influence. Maybe I was." Gage sighed. "I was only five years old!"

"I'm sorry." Lacy twisted around in her lover's arms. "You don't have to tell me anymore."

"Lacy, I didn't have a family when I was young…but, I do now. You guys are more than enough for me. With you and the kids, I've got the best of the best. Okay?" In a reassuring kiss, Gage sent all the love she held for Lacy to her partner.

When Lacy pushed away, Gage's greens eyes perked up. "No. No, bedroom yet. Stay there." Lacy walked across the room and retrieved a set of papers from her purse. "Here. For you."

Gage stared at the papers for a moment as Lacy settled back down next to her. For only a brief moment, Gage remembered when David showed up at the cabin with divorce papers in hand for Lacy. "Will I like it?"

"Sweetheart, open it." Lacy commanded.

Unfolding the papers, Gage studied each unbelievable word on it. "I…I… " She closed her eyes savoring the delicious moment. "David went along with this?"

"Yes." Warm loving eyes surveyed her partner's reaction. "He didn't have a problem with it at all." Of course, he wants something in return. Seeing that look on her face is worth it though.

Gage re-read the words that legally would give her custody of Lacy's children in case something ever happened to her lover. "Thank you." Tears ran down her cheeks as she kissed her lover. "Thank you. I won't let you down. I love them so much, Lacy, and I promise to protect them with my life…be there for them always."

"I know."

Then it dawned on the blonde as to what the papers alluded to. "Promise me, Lacy. Promise me that when we leave this world, we do it together. Or, at least, I go first. I don't think.. I know I could never live without you."

Cupping her lover's cheek, Lacy reassured Gage. "That's not what this is about. Okay?"

Refusing to look back at her lover caused concern for Lacy. When Lacy gently turned the blonde's face around, she saw the unshed tears mist in Gage's sad green eyes. "What? What is it?"

"My gift to you…. pales in comparison to this." Gage held up the papers before sitting them aside.

Lacy took Gage's hand and gently placed it on her stomach. "Sweetheart, you have given me the greatest gift of all."

Her lover's heartfelt words sent shudders of joy, happiness and love through the blonde's body. "For all time, I will love you, embrace you and hold you dear. With every breath I take, I become better because of you." Gage capped her declaration of love with a deep soul-melding kiss.

Breaking away from the all-consuming passionate kiss, Lacy husked. "Now it's time for the bedroom."

***********************

Lying on top of her lover, Gage ran a persistent and happy hand down the curve of her lover's breast. She kissed Lacy deeply. Within minutes, the flaming passion that rose wrapped them in warm and safe blanket of love. Gage's lips journeyed down Lacy's neck pausing only briefly to suck on her collarbone before drifting lower.

Lacy closed her eyes and let out a deep guttural moan as Gage locked on to her breast, feeding hungrily on it. The dark haired woman arched her back meeting her lover's sensual assault. "Sweetheart."

Briefly pausing from her task at hand, Gage asked. "Yessssss?"

"Nothing…just sweetheart." Lacy struggled to reply then quickly added. "Don't stop."

Gage chuckled. "Oh, baby, I'm never gonna stop." She captured the breast with her mouth and licked the swollen nipple.

Wanting to give as much pleasure as she was getting, Lacy ran both her hands from the top of Gage's thighs up and over her lover's backside. Fully knowing the desired effect she would receive.

The blonde caught a hitch in her breath. "God, do it again."

Lacy continued to massage her lover as she thrust her own hips upward.

Fighting to regain focus in her sexual haze, Gage desperately pushed herself downward away from her lover's pleasing hands. Her tongue slipped into Lacy's navel, licking, sucking as her hands roamed over the younger woman's breasts. As finger deftly circled the dark nipples of her lover, Gage dipped her tongue in and around Lacy's belly button.

Throwing her head back, Lacy etched out in a satisfied, strained voice. "God, sweetheart, that really sends me."

Pleasantly pleased with her lover's response, Gage ventured lower. Lacy opened wide to receive her lover's undying affection. Inhaling the delectable scent of her lover, Gage drowned her face between Lacy's legs. She spent the better part of the night there making love to the woman she would love for eternity.

Lacy screamed out Gage's name as she climaxed. Patiently waiting for her lover to return from her ecstatic journey, Gage remained in place. "I love you." She murmured against Lacy's curls, tasting the wetness on her lips. Gently, Gage soothed her lover's sensitive mound as she met the small thrusts of Lacy's hips. The blonde pulled back, pausing only a moment to gaze lovingly at her woman.

"Don't you dare stop, sweetheart." Lacy commanded, continuing to thrust her hips against her lover's face.

Are you kidding? This is exactly where I always wanted to be. The blonde re-ignited the smoldering ambers of her lover's passion. She kissed, sucked, licked and devoured all that Lacy was willing to give.


Chapter Fourteen

As Ryan prepared the scene in the movie where Jordan walked out on her boyfriend and boss, Lacy stopped Gage as they walked to the set. "Please?" Lacy pulled the blonde closer. Brushing luscious lips against willing ones, the dark haired woman purred. "For me."

Returning the kiss, Gage acquiesced. "Anything for you."
A hitch in Gage's breath caught a passing crewmember's attention as her lover covertly ran her hand down the writer's side then slipped it up her shirt meeting skin. "Lacy! Later." Gage winked. "Yes, I will re-write the scene as you desire. Can you tell me why though? And, you know, now we have to get an actor to play Devon."

"No, we don't." The blonde's eyebrow rose in question. "Hayston is playing Devon."

Before Gage could utter a single sound, her partner enveloped her lips sending the blonde once again on a lust laden journey, forgetting everything except the inviting lips that erupted swells of passion inside her.

"Lacy! We're ready for you." Ryan called.

Left stunned, Gage desperately reined in her overheated emotions. Slowly sucking in deep breaths in an attempt to calm her racing heart, Gage overheard Ryan tell Lacy that the actor signed to play Edie was now unavailable and they had hired Marva DuLaine to play the part.

"Marva?" Lacy smiled.

Ryan continued. "Shanti recommended her. She's…"

"Her niece. I know." Lacy finished for the director. "Great. We can relive some old times."

"Yeah." Ryan wasn't as thrilled as Lacy was about the new development. He had worked with Marva for several episodes of Lacy's old television show. Marva was a professional to the extreme as an actor. It was the off-screen antics of the irascible and capricious woman that the director objected to. He went along with the decision to cast her after Shanti James heard about the other actor dropping out on the role and called her aunt. Using Lacy's name to secure the part, Marva had immediately called Mark Calico. "You ready?"

Before Lacy could reply, David Levine suddenly appeared out of no where and chimed in. "She's always ready." He hugged Lacy, whispering in her ear. "I can still remember when you were ready and …… willing for me…..."

She gently pushed him back. "That was before I knew…"

David cocked his head to the side in question.

Lacy leaned closer to him so only he could hear her words. "What real love is. Complete devotion. Faithfulness. And, oh yes, mind boggling sex." Moving away from him, Lacy smiled.

Rumblings of heated fervor from her words vibrated through his body landing several inches below his beltline. He drew in a deep breath as Lacy took her place next to the bed on the set.

Hayston was immediately at this side. "David?" Shaking her boyfriend, she called to him again. "David!"

"Oh, yeah." David turned to Ryan. It was clear that old antagonistic feelings still existed between the two one-time partners. "Where should Hayston go to see about costumes and such?"

As Ryan stood there like a deer caught in a car's headlights, Gage experienced a very jealous twinge when Lacy had pulled her ex-husband closer, whispering in his ear.

Guess it's time to face the music. "Ryan, Gage is expanding Devon's character in the script." Lacy gently inserted, preparing for an expected explosion from her director.

"Expanding? Yeah, that would be one way of saying it since the original script only had the other actors talking about an unseen Devon." He glanced at Gage who shrugged and then he threw up his hands. "Fine. Whatever Lacy wants, Lacy gets."

"I knew you would see it my way." Lacy offered an apologetic kiss on the director's cheek.

Green eyes widened. She's offering sweet nothings in her ex-husband's ear and now she's kissing the director. My woman needs some loving…. and soon. Gage smiled. Me, too.

"Take her to costumes!" Ryan ordered Griff.

Chewing on some gum, Griff's eyes roamed over the young beautiful woman. "Sure thing, Ryan. Come with me." She said to Hayston as a sexy grin filled with confidence danced on the assistant's lips.

Ryan and Lacy were ready to shoot the scene. David was pre-occupied with watching Lacy get into character. Gage was happy to see Griff's attention diverted to someone else. And, Hayston had an idea pop into her head. Hmmmm…maybe I can make David jealous. Knowing that David hated the idea of losing Lacy to a woman, Hayston casually reached down and clasped onto Griff's hand. As Griff and Hayston walked away smiling at each other, the assistant director, Michael unhappily watched them leave.

Boyd Dietrich who was playing Jordan's boyfriend voiced his concern again. "Ryan, I think the scene would be more dramatic if my character kissed Jordan…. really hard and she slapped him before she walks out."

"What is it today? Everybody wants something different." Ryan's frustration was showing as he ran his hand through his full head of hair. "What do you think, Lacy?"

She shrugged. "It could work."

"NO!" Gage jumped past a cameraman. "That's not the way I wrote it"

"So?" Boyd dismissed her, flopping down on the bed. "You're just the writer. Nobody listens to them."

Fuming, Gage stalked closer to the overbearing little man. As everyone else stood frozen in time on the set, Gage leaned down next to Boyd. "And, the producer." She corrected him through gritted teeth. Squeezing a fist tightly, Gage figured it was her turn to whisper in a man's ear. "This is the only thing you are going to kiss…. get it!" Seething, she stared into his dark and beady eyes. A warning sent and received between the two cut through the awkward silence on the set. Boyd had made suggestion after suggestion to change things in the script much to Ryan and Gage's dismay. His recommendations were always an attempt to get closer to Lacy even at one point wanting to do a nude scene between the two in an earlier shot. He explained the film needed some eye candy for the audience. Eye candy your ass! Gage thought. They see your fuzzy butt and they'd all run.

Lacy stood near the two and felt the heat roll off her lover. Waiting for the expected eruption from Gage instead she watched as her partner offered her a quick glance then quietly walked off the set.

With pursed lips, Ryan said. "Guess the mood for this scene is set. Take your places." The actors did as directed then Ryan yelled. "Action."

As Lacy's character walked out on her boyfriend after a heated verbal altercation during the scene, David watched intently. When Ryan called 'cut', David walked up to Lacy. "Kinda ironic, like when you walked out on me."

"Twisting the truth again?" She ran a finger down his jaw line. "I didn't walk out… I ran." Turning on a dime, Lacy set out in pursuit of her lover.

"God, she's one hell of a actress." Lacy never heard the compliment that rolled off his trembling lips.

***********************

Marva DuLaine walked onto the set as if she owned it. Her entrance was always staged and she didn't let her audience down on this day either. Just as Ryan yelled out 'action', the forty-seven year old actress waltzed past the camera right up to Lacy. "Darling!" She kissed Lacy on both cheeks. "How long has it been? Forever?"

Ryan cleared his throat.

Turning around to greet the gray haired director. "Oh, did I interrupt something?" She stepped closer to him. "Ryan White. You are as handsome as ever." She intently stared at the man before her. "If it doesn't work out with my fourth husband, what'd you say we give it a try?" She flashed her hazel eyes at him, clearly devouring him with the sultry look.

"Marva. We weren't expecting you until next week." Lacy interjected.
The back of her hand brushed against her forehead. "You know me, Lacy too much of a good thing… and I get bored. Nick, my fourth, is just a little bit too possessive. I needed some…. space. So, here I am." She floated back next to Lacy, offering her a look of disbelief. "Is it true?"

The younger woman cocked her head.

"You like women?" Marva smirked. "It can't be true… you are so straight." Bumping against Lacy's shoulder, she continued. "Get over it. I remember when we used to troll the bars…."

Lacy's blue eyes flared.

Slapping her hand across her mouth, Marva offered a veil attempt of apology. "Ooooppps!" Her hazel eyes scanned the movie set. "Is she here? Sorry."

The mock grin on Gage's face as Marva flung her thoughts across the stage grew harder. Gage crossed her arms in fury. This is great. Just great…. Boyd's trying to get in Lacy's pants… Griff in mine. Now, this! Can it get any better?

As the heavy tension in the air thickened with no relief in sight, Dani made her own entrance, slicing through the tension with ease. "Hey, everybody. Sorry, I'm late." Shifting her blue eyes to her mother, she explained. "Like it seems I'm Sammy's first choice when you're not around." Her head bobbed around the set, taking in the cast and crew's discomfited silence. "What are we doing….mime games or making a movie?"

Tension dissolved with the young girl's words and the director took advantage of it. "You're just in time Dani. Lacy's having a hard time with that dance routine you worked up for her."
Cocking her hands on her hips, Dani nodded. "Figures… she was distracted when I was teaching her." Dani shot Gage an evil look who pretended to be innocent of any wrongdoing. "Mom, shall we go over it again?" Her voice held only the slightest frustration with her mother.

"Dani. You remember Marva DuLaine."

Marva stooped down in front of Dani, grabbing her cheeks between her hands. "Sure, she does. Oh, you are delicious. Like mother like daughter."

Dani jerked back from the older woman. "Mom?"

"Remember when me and your mom dressed up like hookers? Now, that was a role I could really get into." She glanced up at Lacy. "That spiked red hair of yours…. I liked my long dark locks better." Marva stood up and elbowed Lacy. "That's when we hit the bars…." The dark haired older woman let out an evil laugh then reeled in her staged dramatics. "It was for research!" She offered in a vain attempt to convince the cast and crew standing idly by.

The young girl found safety next to her mother. "What's she doing here?" Dani never liked Marva much because when the over the top actress worked on her mother's show, it seemed that Marva competed for Lacy's attention. The older woman found reason after reason to demand her mother's interest.

"Dani!" Lacy re-directed her attention to her old friend. "Perhaps we can get together…later, Marva. Right now, we have work to do."

"Of course. Don't let me stop you."

Ryan rolled his eyes.

"I'll find something to keep me occupied. Now…." She tapped her lips. "…where is that girlfriend of yours?" Marva had trouble on her mind and she elected herself to start it.

Michael grabbed Gage by the shirt. "Come on."

Being jerked around took her by surprise. "What? Why?"

He led her away. "You're going to need some ammunition if you expect to fight that…. thing."

"She's trouble, huh?"

"Ha! Look in the dictionary… you'll find her picture under trouble, terror, tyrant…. and plenty more." Michael spouted.

************************

After a quick debriefing from Michael about Marva, Gage mentally prepared for the inevitable encounter. She examined every situation that she might be confronted with. According to Michael, the overzealous actress may have made a play for David during the filming of Lacy's show. It wasn't that she was interested in David, it was more like Marva wanted what others had and she was jealous of Lacy. And, in an odd sense, Marva respected Lacy and wanted to be best friends so they could play together. It seemed she wanted Lacy to accompany her to parties upon parties where Marva would compete with an unsuspecting Lacy. If she could divert a male's attention away from Lacy then it meant in Marva's mind that she was the most desired. It fed her huge ego.

As Gage pondered the dilemma before her, someone tapped her on the shoulder. "Oh! It's you.
"Don't sound so dejected." Griff let spill a wicked little laugh. "You may end up being…." She paused long enough to get Gage's full attention. "…dejected if she gets her way."

"What do you mean?" Gage scrunched her eyebrows in concern.

"Marva wants…no, she demands and gets what she wants." Seeing the growing concern in the green eyes she lusted after, Griff soothed the blonde somewhat. "Oh, she's not into … women. Not like you and me. If you know what I mean….." Griff crossed her arm across her chest and rested the other arm on it as her fingers played with her pouty lips. "Course you could get into me."

Ignoring the redhead's not so subtle remark, Gage insisted. "Tell me more. About Marva."

"She likes to play so she'll want company."

"Lacy's not like that."

"Maybe." Griff ran her tongue over her teeth. "She owes Marva. Some of her first commercials for television….Marva got for her. Loyalty runs deep for Lacy." Seeing the look of dark gloom cross Gage's face, Griff grinned in triumphant. Gotcha! "Don't worry…. if things go…. astray for you. I'll be waiting with open arms."

Gage didn't miss the flashing lust-filled smile that gleamed on the redhead's face. This has got to end right here and now. "Griff….." Borrowing a line from an old lover but amending it slightly, Gage continued. "…if we were the only two people left on earth, I still wouldn't want to be with you. Okay? Got it? Lacy is the love of my life and if I should ever find myself without her…there would still be no one else for me. Ever!"

Her forceful words smacked the redhead squarely across her face. Griff never knew such rejection. It hit to her core causing a quake so fierce that Griff's steadfast confidence of her abilities to bed anyone of her choosing began to crumble.

"Gage?" Michael interrupted. "Lacy's looking for you."

Gage spared Griff one last glance before rushing past the two.
Michael knew something had transpired between the two women and he noticed Griff shaking. When she suddenly turned, Griff fell into his arms, sobbing. "Take me away from here….now!"

*************************

Griff was on her sixth margarita. She insisted that Michael take her to their usual haunt at Heyduke's bar.

Tony Kussler was about to leave when she walked in with Michael. Sensing something was up, he shoved his silent partner back into the booth. "Stay put. I may have something for you." For the next few hours, he silently watched Griff get drunk. The woman pawed every available person there whether it be male or female.

***********************

With Griff and Michael nowhere in sight, Ryan called 'action' on the party scene where Gage's newly rewritten scene had Devon - played by Hayston - make her grand entrance.

The party's guests watched as Hayston walked through the double doors with handsome twin escorts on either side of her. Hayston waltzed up to Lacy in the scene and dispersed her own trouble for Lacy's character in the story.

As Gage watched from a distance, she couldn't help but see the parallels between this scene and what had transpired earlier in the day when Marva showed up. Her attention was diverted with another unwelcome tap on her shoulder. I don't even want to know. So, she refused to turn around.

"She may be fooling the rest of them but she's straight….. and, I should know." Marva said just above a whisper.

Whirling around, Gage plastered an aggravated look on her face.

"Oh, did I say that out loud?" Marva marveled at herself.

Through gritted teeth, she asked. "Why should you know?"

The older woman opened her mouth to speak then let her mouth fall into a malicious smile. "A girls gotta have her secrets."

Relieved to hear Ryan yell 'cut', Gage sucked in a deep breath and sharply turned away from the troublemaking woman directly en route to her lover for some answers.

***********************

"Come on. Dance with me?" Griff begged Michael. She rubbed her svelte body against his; stirring feelings in him he had tried desperately to stifle.

Michael swallowed hard and shook his head when the bartender asked if they wanted another drink.

Griff slid her leg between his as he sat on the high stool. Running claiming fingers through his thick hair, she purred. "You know what I want…what I need." The redhead locked her lips on his earlobe and ran her tongue along its edge. Slipping a leg between his again, she purred. "I know you like it."

Like a willing prisoner being tortured, Michael knew he wouldn't last much longer. "Griff? Let me take you home."

"Now you're talking." Her tongue scraped over his skin and down his neck where she happily nuzzled, inhaling a manly scent that was driving her crazy.

Michael stood up and she lounged against him, unsteady on her feet. "Come with me." He directed.

Griff needed reassurance of her desire to be wanted and Michael would be just the one to shore up what Gage's rejecting, hurtful words had began to crumble. "We'll both come alright, baby. You and me. Michael? You love me, don't you?"

Michael knew what she was asking. It wasn't romantic love she was looking for, it was only the love a friend could offer. It was a gift he would give her gladly. "Yes, I love you."

It was going to be a long drive and a long night for the young assistant director. A night he would never forget and one that would haunt Griff for a long time.

************************

In their trailer, Gage was giving Lacy the third degree. She attempted to be gentle with her questioning, however, her voice rose on occasion one too many times.

"Gage! Just what are you asking?" Lacy was near aggravation herself with her partner's insinuations.

"Marva? Who, what, where, why."

"You forgot when."

"I know when… on your TV show."

"Then you know where. She played on the show a couple of times. We did a little research for our roles. Marva makes more of it than it really was. She likes to tease and vie for men's attention. She gets a thrill out of it. Now, you know why."

"And what?"

"What?" She allowed a small breath to escape. "We went to a couple of bars dressed sorta like…."

"The redheaded prostitute character you played." Gage inserted.

"Yes…. that one. Nothing happened. It was interesting." The blonde turned her head in question. "How men react to …. what you wear or how a person acts or better yet what they think about who you are. Had I been dressed differently or anyone recognized me, they would have reacted totally differently."

"I heard she likes to play games with people."

"Yes, that's true." Lacy admitted. The younger woman snuggled closer to her lover. "Sweetheart, I like Marva. Oh, she's something else. I'll admit that." Gage rolled her eyes. "I can handle her. But, if you don't want her here then…."

"No. I hear she's good and that will be good for the movie."

"She is…. and yes, I believe that's true."

"I don't have to like her though." Gage pouted.

Lacy stood up. "Oh, Gage. Would you get over it? You have nothing to fear. At least not from her."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Griff! I'd be more worried about her…chasing after you all day long on the set. Every time I look up she's practically smothering you." Lacy's blue eyes flared with a jealous tint.

"After today, I wouldn't worry about her."

"Really? Why's that?"

Gage continued without responding to Lacy's question. "Now, David's another question. Why did he show up out of nowhere? And, tell me once again why you wanted me to re-write that scene so Hayston could be in the movie?"

Blowing out a very frustrated sigh, Lacy pursed her lips. "When you tell me why you allowed Mark to hire Griff?"

That question deflated the blonde. "I…. I…. Mark thinks that we could eventually use a favor from Ron Griffen for allowing her to work on the movie."

"And…."

"And what?"

"What kind of favor do you and Mark think you'll be needing in the future?"

"Lacy!" Frustrated, Gage slumped down on the couch. "The truth?"

"That would be nice."

She started slowly to organize her words. "Lacy, I know that being with me….. doesn't…. hasn't been good for your career." She stopped Lacy before the younger woman could protest. "It has. And, I know neither one of us would want it any other way. Mark…. and I think this movie… you, really, are going to be great. Have you seen the dailies?" The blonde didn't get much of a reprieve from her lover's frown. "He's thinking Oscar and I am, too."

"I see." Lacy scooted closer to her partner. "So having one of the most powerful men in Hollywood be on our side to promote the film…."

"And you." Gage added quickly.

"Will make it smooth sailing for an Oscar nod." Lacy concluded. "I don't know if I should be happy or insulted."

"Lacy!" Gage twisted around to face her lover. "You don't need anyone's help. You're the very best actor ever. That's the truth. I don't say it just because I love you. I do you know."

Lacy leaned her head against her lover's temple. "I know."

"Our relationship may turn people away from recognizing your talents. So, Mark and I figured we… Ron's a heavy hitter who has convinced many people to see it his way. Which is the right way… you're great in this film."

"Is he distributing the film?" Gage nodded. "Thank you…. for loving me so much." Lacy kissed her lover deeply before revealing a truth of her own. "The reason I had you change the script to have Hayston in the movie is that David and I made a deal."

Gage's eyebrows shot up.

"You remember what I gave you on our anniversary?"

This spawned a blissful smile on Gage's face. How could I forget? "The papers David signed allowing me to raise the kids if… you know."

"Yes. Hayston needed the work and her career is stalled out right now. David knows this film has potential and he wanted in on it. That's a tribute to you, sweetheart. He may not be too fond of you but he recognizes talent. Your writing."

"Your acting." Gage corrected her.

"Are we okay now?" Gage nodded. "Good. So, it's time to make up?"

A wide grin spread across the blonde's face. "Absolutely."

Chapter Fifteen

Ryan had spent most of the day trying to get this shot filmed. The island party scene was running overtime and over budget. "Michael, we're going to have to push back the balcony scene for early tomorrow morning." The director spared his temperamental actress a look as she dramatically flung her arms around attempting to win Lacy's approval.

"Right. I'm on it." Michael glanced quickly at Griff. He thought for one second that he would get her to help but quickly changed his mind. Ever since that fateful night together, Griff had acted cool toward him. Instead, he called on Shanti to help him since her part of the island party scene had been shot.

"Come on, Lacy, we could have a real bitchin' time playing against each other." Marva exclaimed loudly.

Lacy turned away. "Marva. It's good the way it's written."

She flipped the younger actor around. "Honey, don't let your loyalties to the…. writer affect your good sense." Lacy slowly raised both eyebrows allowing her anger to simmer as Marva continued. "If I'm going to play the wife and you the other woman - not to mention that I'm a mother - I need more lines. There's great conflict here between our two characters…. we need to exploit it. Let it blow up and see where it lands." Marva flipped an arm upright.

The director interrupted the arguing actors. "Marva please. We need to get this scene shot. Now, if you will join us over there." He pointed to a distant spot.

She looked Lacy squarely in the eyes and stated. "This isn't over. You know I'm right about this. Jordan is having an affair with my husband and if you knew what it was like to be the hurting wife….." An accusing eye argued her point but to no avail as Marva remembered an important fact about a so long ago brief affair. "… then again, I guess you didn't know." With that she grabbed Ryan's arm and allowed him to escort her away.

Gage stepped up after Marva had left and noticed a far away look in Lacy's eyes. "Something wrong?"

Nodding, Lacy rubbed her head. "Marva is one of those friends you can't trust when your back is turned but you should be even more careful when she's facing you."

Gage rubbed the small of her lover's back. "You knew?"
The dark haired woman snapped her head toward Gage. "I suspected. Yes. And, you?"

Gage shrugged. "Michael filled me in with the rumors. How do you put up with her?"

Leaning into her lover's soothing touch, she answered. "I owe her."

"So, you want me to re-write the scene so Jordan and Edie can have it out?"

Lacy turned to her partner. Running her fingers along Gage's left side of her face, Lacy said. "No. She's had her way much too long. Don't get me wrong. I still like her in a lot of ways. It's just that… she's…. she needs to see me as an equal."

After the scene with Marva and a few other actors was over, the older actress returned to the scene of the crime where Lacy stood with Gage by her side. The cozy picture of the two didn't sit well with Marva. "My God, Lacy, the only reason I took this part was to help you."

Before Lacy could respond, Gage countered. "And, the only reason you have this part is because of Lacy." Green eyes drilled into shocked hazel ones.

Defiant, Marva's angry eyes flared. "How dare you? You're no kind of producer I've ever seen and not much of a writer for that matter…."

Lacy took a slight step forward. "One more word, Marva …. just one and you won't be in any kind of condition to dare anyone let alone do anything about it. So, cool your jets." With that, Lacy grabbed Gage's hand and left Marva standing alone stunned by Lacy's stinging words.

************************

The last week of filming was smooth sailing for the happy director. Ryan finished up the last scene early Thursday and sent the cast and crew home for a long weekend. Marva DuLaine was the consummate professional after Lacy's tongue lashing. She avoided Gage like the plague and only interacted with Lacy during the filming. Griff still played the iceberg around Michael the whole week, which devastated him. So much so he talked with Ryan about it.

"It's all over now… our friendship." Michael felt tears fill his eyes. He tried to swipe them away before his friend noticed. "That's what kills me. We were such good friends before…"

Ryan pretended not to see the unshed tears in his assistant's warm brown eyes. "Son…. " The word slipped from his mouth before he could halt it. So, he coughed instead to try and cover the feeling he had toward Michael. "Hey, listen, you two have been friends for a long time. Been through a lot together. That kind of friendship always finds a way to….. work through difficult and awkward times."

Michael reminded Ryan of something that proved his sage words to be a moot point. "Like you and David?"

The older man shrugged. "Different situation."

Michael had long ago realized he had fallen in love with the flighty redhead and relinquished his desire for Griff as her interest in partners didn't include his gender. He remained her close friend and confidant through thick and thin. Michael became a safe harbor for Griff's stormy relationships. Her idea of a relationship hinged on getting her interested target to bed, then maybe allowing it to last for a brief period, but she was never in it for the long haul.

"What am I going to do, Ryan?" Michael's shoulders slumped.

Slapping the young man on his shoulder, Ryan offered another bit of sage advice. "Shanti."

"Huh?"

"I heard things have cooled between her and Ben." Ryan waggled both his eyebrows. "You need a soft place to fall and maybe….."

Michael's earlier interest in the reddish-blonde haired beauty had distracted him from his yearnings for Griff. Thinking he would never have a chance with the woman of his choice, Michael mulled over the idea. "Think she likes me?"

"I know she does." Ryan nodded. "It's up to you to see how much."

************************

On Friday, Lacy and Gage started packing for their return home. Mark put together a hurried wrap party for the movie so the couple and their children would be at their home in St. Troy for Dani's birthday. It was set for Saturday night and cast and crew were ready to party.

Stella had returned with news that Grace was doing much better and asked that Gage visit her before returning home. With Lacy's urging, Gage agreed to visit her on Sunday. "Come with me, Lacy. Please." The smile on her lover's face assured Gage that Lacy would be by her side.

As Lacy and Gage readied for the party, Dani came bouncing in the bedroom. "Grandpa called." She eyed her mother's new dress. Nodding, she gave her approval.

"And?"

"Oh." Dani twisted around to scrutinize Gage's attire. Shaking her head, she continued. "That guy you hired for the yard work hasn't been around for the last couple of weeks." When the blonde's face showed concern, Dani sat on the bed and crossed her legs. "Don't worry. Grandpa's said he'd take care of it. Said you shoulda asked him in the first place."

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Dani offered a look that said 'as if you have to ask'. "Mom…. " The young girl slid off the bed and headed toward the door. "You take it. I'd hate to break it to her and see her pout."

With pursed lips, Gage watched Dani hurry out of the room then she turned to Lacy. "Is it that bad?"

Gracefully Lacy glided across the room. Her fingers toyed with Gage's shiny gray shirt collar. "I love you."

Frustrated, Gage asked. "What about my shirt… the whole thing?"

Lacy stepped back, eyeing her lover carefully. She let a deep sigh escape before choosing her words. "You are beautiful…. I love you in that outfit." Of course, I'd love you in anything or nothing. "Satisfied?"

Gage was draped in a dressy gray shirt with thin black vertical stripes and black pants. It was a simple outfit compared to what the rest of the people would be wearing but she was comfortable and that was all that matter. That and the fact that Lacy likes me in it. Comfort was the only word that described Gage's philosophy on style. Lacy, on the other hand, inherently fitted the very description of style. No matter what Lacy wore, she was the perfection of what 'in style' meant.

"Come on. Let's go." Gage took her partner's hand. "I want to show you off." When Lacy scooted up next to Gage, the blonde caught sight of the ample breasts of her lover bouncing happily in the low cut dress. She jerked back on her lover's hand, halting Lacy's progress. "Maybe you need a scarf." When a questioning look appeared on Lacy's face, Gage pointed to her partner's overexposed chest.

Lacy laughed. "Just for you. So, you don't get distracted this evening by anyone else."

Gage happily followed the younger woman out the door. All Gage could think about was how bountiful Lacy's breasts had become when she was pregnant with Sammy and how once more she would be able to wallow in that pleasurable, delectable sight again.

************************

Marva reigned over the party as Lacy and Gage entered the room. Julie Grant greeted them as a waiter offered drinks. "Oh, no. Dennis, would you get our guests a couple of sparkling waters instead." The waiter nodded then left on his mission. "Mark's around here someplace. He wanted to talk with you Gage."

"Gotcha. That's my cue to leave you two alone." Gage winked, squeezed Lacy's hand then headed off to where she saw Ryan White.

"David's here. He showed up a little drunk already." Julie nodded her head in Lacy's ex-husband's direction. "Hayston is fuming to say the least. Something's going on between Shanti, Michael and Griff and, of course, Marva's regaling everyone with stories of you two …. way back when."

"Par for the course, I see." And what Lacy was seeing from David did not bode well for any of them. David had his arm wrapped around one of the extras on the set of the movie. She could see Hayston seething from a short distance away. "Maybe I can do something about this before it goes too far."

"I was hoping you'd say that." Julie felt immediate relief. "You want me to run interference with Hayston."

"No." Lacy puzzled over her next move a minute. "Let me handle it." She started off but suddenly stopped. "If Gage was distracted for a bit… that would be… helpful." Julie nodded then left. No use stirring up more problems. This is something she definitely would not like. With that thought still lingering on her mind, Lacy put her plan into action.

Lacy circled David and the extra like an Indian on the warpath surrounding a wagon train. Her piercing blue eyes shot arrows at the unsuspecting extra. She recognized the short brown haired woman as Susan, an actor hired during the last two weeks of shooting. Under the unbearable scrutiny of Lacy's blazing blue eyes, Susan astutely excused herself.

Hayston had watched Lacy waltz around her boyfriend and his temporary distraction all the while gripping the stem of her champagne glass like her life depended on it. Ben Thomason who had been talking with the ever-increasing angry young woman pried her fingers from the glass. Then grinned when she noticed what he had done. "Thanks."

"No problem." Ben sat the glass on the bar. "Now, I think you have some place to be."

Hayston's attention returned to David and Lacy. "Yes." Like a hawk stalking its prey, the young woman made an overt show of circling the couple. David hated when she showed her jealous streak and Hayston did her best to stifle those feelings in front of him. Having watched her drunken boyfriend openly flirt with the measly extra was bad enough but to have her ex-co-star and long time competitor openly claim David was more than she could stand.

David relished the welcomed attention of his ex and swayed up against Lacy, pulling her close. "Hmmmm… you still have it."

Lacy eased away from him and countered. "And, you still don't."

"Oh, come on, Lacy." David slurred. "For old times sake?"

"David….. look around." She nodded as Hayston continued to slowly walk around to the front of them. "For your sake…." She moved closer to whisper in his ear. "I suggest you….."

"If I can't have you." David was aware of Hayston stalking them. He wanted to get back at his girlfriend for her flaunting displays toward Griff on the set and if getting Lacy back in the process succeeded, maybe he'd make it a threesome.

"You can't…. rest assured. You can't." She guaranteed him.

Knowing he was fighting a losing cause, David shoved Lacy back. "Stand aside, woman." He opened his unsteady arms toward Hayston. "Come mere."

When Gage saw David pushing Lacy back, she bolted across the floor. Not fifteen feet away from Lacy, Marva flung her long arm outward striking Gage in the face. "Oh, did I do that?" She said to the blonde now lying flat on the floor.

Lacy rushed to her side. "Marva!"

"What? I didn't see her…. really." The older woman vowed. The insincerity in her eyes gave her away to her very astute friend.

David smugly grinned at Hayston as he tried to put into focus the beautiful woman holding him. "Let's get outta here." Inhaling a sobering breath, he twitched his nose.

"You need some fresh air."

Rubbing up against Hayston, he flirted with her. "That's not all I need."

She guided him through the crowd that surrounded the blonde on the floor. That's not all you're going to get…. and, it won't be what you have in mind either. Hayston was fed up with David's womanizing that had only become worse as his drinking increased. Her mind was set. David would either agree or Hayston would leave him. It was a bluff she hoped would work. Hayston spared Lacy one last glance before they walked through the doors. They exchanged an unusual bonding look that would eventually help David past his addiction.

Rubbing her forehead and moaning, Gage demanded and got Lacy's full attention.

"Oh, sweetheart, are you okay?"

"Yeah. I guess." Gage shot Marva a stern look.

With a drink in one hand and a long slim cigarette in the other, Marva let out a small wicked snicker. "Couldn't hurt that hard head." Only the two very young and apparently very dense handsome men on either side of her laughed at Marva's comment.

Gage sucked in a deep breath and rose. Steadying her rising anger, Gage said quietly. "It happens…. an accident."

Marva let out a shriek. "Isn't that rich?" She cast Lacy an astonished look. "Forgiving? Is she good in bed, too? Come on, Lacy, tell me all the dirty little details."

Gage stopped Lacy from tearing into her old friend. She could see that the older woman was a bit tipsy and recognized that Marva was baiting her. In that moment, Gage did something she didn't know she had in her. Her green eyes lit up and she smiled at the ridiculousness of the situation. She smiled because she recognized the motivation behind Marva's words. Fear. Fear of getting older. Fear of being unwanted. Fear of becoming an unwilling wallflower in the face of a much more beautiful woman that Marva had always considered as her major competition. Lacy was everything Marva wanted to be and Gage realized that Marva was jealous. That was the source of aggravation for Marva. She resented the love Lacy and Gage shared.

"No, Marva. There's nothing dirty about what we have." Gage pulled Lacy closer. "To tell you the truth, I don't deserve her or her love." Lacy nudged her lover but Gage continued. "But, I'll take it and everything she's willing to give me. And, I'll treasure it and hang on to it with everything inside me. She loves me for me. She loves from her heart… her soul without reservation. That's what sets her aside from all the rest." Marva knew Gage directed this statement at her. "It's not her acting ability or her beauty…. not her body…." Gage paused long enough to take a long lingering sideways glance up and down her lover's body and smiled. "…but the depth of her love…. how deeply she can love and does. Me, her children, her friends….. even you, Marva."

Her shaking hand brought the glass to her lips in an attempt to hide her crumbling façade. Marva drank deeply from her glass, emptying it.

"She's your friend and always will be. Lacy doesn't stand in your way…. no one does." Gage leaned in closer so only Marva would hear her next words. "Only you do."

Marva swallowed. Unable to summon a respectable exit herself, Gage did it for her. The blonde looked around to the captivated audience. Suddenly, she placed a strong arm across Marva's shoulders. "I think we did it, Marva. Re-wrote that big dramatic scene just like you wanted between Jordan and Edie."

The stunned group slowly came out of their dazed state. Not quite sure if what transpired was staged or not, they eventually were sold the bad bill of goods as Marva's wide grin along with Lacy's reluctant smile joined Gage's already happy laughter. Again, Gage squeezed the older woman. "Guess we were good…. I think they bought it."

The crowd knew Marva was always up for this kind of antic but was not prepared for Gage's participation. "Hell, we were great!" Marva proclaimed and grabbed Lacy around her shoulder and pulled her in tight for a group hug.

The crowd broke out in cheers. A few suspected and a few knew the truth of what just happened but most were just happy to get the party back in full swing.

Having saved face, Marva would be forever grateful to the blonde she delighted in giving a hard time to during the filming of the movie. As Gage made her way over to Mark and Julie, Marva pulled Lacy back in order to spare her old friend a few words. "She's a keeper."

Lacy grinned and hugged her friend. "You're not telling me something I don't already know."

The rest of the evening progressed without much fan fair. Michael spent an inordinate amount of time talking and dancing with Shanti. Griff hovered about relentlessly, pouting about the new development between her friend and the young actress. Ryan found a moment to talk with the young redhead. "I know you're jealous." The director rubbed his chin. "Just can't tell about which one though."

Elbowing him, she spat. "Oh, shut up, Ryan." Then huffed off.

Chapter Sixteen

Before Gage and her family left LA for their home in St. Troy, she decided to pay a visit to her old social worker and friend, Grace Davidson. At first, Lacy offered for her and the kids to stay behind. Both Gage and Dani objected.

"But mom…." Dani whined. "Grace is like for sure to have pictures of her new grandbaby and I'm sure she'd want to see me… I mean us." She mussed Derek's hair. "Right, Derek?"

"Hey, stop that." Squinting gray eyes cast a mean look at his sister as he ducked away. His mouth formed a distinct growl toward his sister.

Beaming, Gage was quick to agreed. "Besides, Lacy, I want her to meet my family." Then Gage looked toward Stella. "You'll go with us?"

This brought an unexpected smile to Stella's face that matched the one Gage had just displayed to Lacy. "I'd love to." Stella figured that Gage's mention of family didn't really include her. But, a girl can dream, can't she?

"It's settled. We all go."

Lacy picked up Sammy when he yanked at her pant leg. "Me, me. Go with momma."

Having listened to the grown-ups discuss who was going to visit Grace, Derek hitched up his jeans and said. "Nobodies leaving me behind."

************************

The eighty-two year old woman still held a vibrant look in her hazel eyes as she gazed at Gage. Holding out her arms, she beckoned. "Come here."

Gage wrapped her arms around Grace, inhaling deeply. "I've missed you."

The older woman pulled back slightly. "Then we agree…. you won't wait another twenty-five years to come and see me."

Smiling at the woman in her arms, Gage winked. "Agreed. Grace, I'd like you to meet my…." The younger woman loosened her arm from Grace and extended it outward. "… family. Lacy? Grace, this is my partner."

As Lacy reached her hand out, Grace embraced her. "I know. Stella told me."

Before Lacy let loose of Grace, she whispered. "Thank you… for being there for Gage." In response, the older woman squeezed Lacy even harder. "It's good to see you again, Grace."

Glancing quickly to Stella before she continued, Gage said. "Apparently, you've already met…."

"Hey, Grace. Remember me?" Dani didn't hesitate. She flung her arms around the older woman. "How's that new baby of yours?"

"My, my how you've grown up." Grace carefully studied the young girl. "You look more like your mother every day. Over on the desk, I have some pictures."

Dani relinquished her hold and zipped across the room to retrieve the photo album.

"Derek?" The young boy stepped up next to Gage. "You remember Grace, too, don't you?"

Like a little gentleman, he extended his hand. "Yes, ma'am."

Tiring, Grace sat down. "Not so shy anymore, hmmm?" Seeing that the young boy was not receptive to getting a hug, Grace mussed his hair.

Both Gage and Lacy froze and waited for the expected response from Derek that didn't come. "No, ma'am. And, I don't stutter no more either." Derek piped up proudly then glanced up at Gage who returned the smile.

Watching what transpired between Gage and the young boy, Grace knew there was story she would have to pry out of Gage. "Please call me Grace." He nodded then joined his sister at the desk.

Seeing Stella standing in the background, Grace called to her. "Stella, come sit next to me. Let me see who you got there. Lacy, over here." She pointed to the empty seat on her left. "I want you to tell me everything about what's been going on with Gage."

"Hey!" Gage protested.

"Hush now." The old woman winked at Gage, dismissing her. "Who is this handsome young man?"

"His name's Sammy." Stella lifted him up. "Go on to Grace."

The little tyke quickly wiggled away from his nanny to the older woman. Not even pausing, he continued his journey across Grace's lap to his mother. "Momma." Finally settled on his mother's lap, Sammy turned his blue eyes back to the old woman then buried his head against Lacy's shoulder.

"He reminds me of Derek the first time I saw him." Grace noted.

Gage pulled up a chair across from Grace. "Worse. He doesn't like me." The blonde concluded.

"Gage!" Lacy protested.

"It's true."

"I find that hard to believe. You were always so lovable." Grace countered.

Lacy's interest piqued at the welcomed opportunity to find out more about her lover. "Tell me…. everything."

"Hey!"

Lacy, Grace and Stella delighted in their conspiracy to divulge all there was to know about the increasingly frustrated blonde. Dejected, Gage turned her head toward the two oldest kids.

"You might as well come over here, Gage, and look at the pictures with us." After Gage rolled her eyes, Dani added. "Mom finally found her source." Referring to what Lacy knew would be a gold mine in finding out about the past that Gage was reluctant to share.

***********************

After a few hours of reacquainting themselves, Gage suggested. "It's getting late and you're tired. We should go."

Grace grabbed hold of the blonde's hand. "Not before we talk… alone." She looked to Lacy for her approval. Getting it, Grace tugged at Gage bringing the younger woman next to her on the sofa.

"Come on, kids."

Dani hurried up to her old friend. "Grace. My birthday is later this week. Can you come for my party?"

"I'm sorry, honey. I don't get around as much as I used to. I'll send you a gift though." Grace offered.

Now the thought of receiving a gift was always very appealing to Dani. However, Dani was extremely fond of Grace and getting to visit with the older woman again was more than enough for the young girl. "Seeing you is my gift."

Everyone was impressed with Dani's insightful and kind words. After Grace received a warm kiss on the cheek from Dani, she said. "Your mother should be very proud of you."

"Oh, she is." Dani assured her and left.

All Lacy could think to do was shrug her shoulders at her daughter's sincere audacity.

When the others had gone leaving Grace and Gage alone, the blonde suddenly felt a little awkward. "I'm sorry. I should have stayed in contact with you. You did so much for me when….." Gage let her words trail off.

"Then you won't mind doing something for me." Grace said.

A suspicious eyebrow shot up. "I know you, Grace. What's on your mind?"

"You were extremely bright then. I see that hasn't changed." The old woman ran a soft hand along Gage's cheek. Gage fell into that familiar touch she remembered from so many years ago. "Stella tells me…"

"Grace." Gage started to protest.

"Hush now. You blame her for leaving you." Gage turned her head away from the accurate statement. "I left, too, and you don't hold that against me."

"That was different. Your husband took a job in another city."

"Stella didn't want to come between you and your new family."

Gage slumped back and crossed her arms. "Some new family. Not even a month and they sent me packing."

"I didn't know about that until years later, Gage. You do believe me. If I'd had known I would have…." Gage lifted her arm and pulled the white haired woman closer before she continued. "The same for Stella. She found out only when she came to work for you and Lacy." Referring to Gage's partner, she added. "Such a nice girl she is, too."

"Yes." Gage agreed but was very reluctant to concur with her about the nanny. "Grace. When she came to the center, we did everything together. It was like…"

"Like what?"

"Nothing."

"Mmmmm Hmmm." Grace shifted so she could look directly into sad green eyes. "Give her a chance. Talk to her, Gage. For me?"

Feeling defeat upon her, Gage conceded. "If you say please, I guess there's nothing I could do to resist you."

Once again, Grace stroked the blonde's cheek. "Please."

"Okay." The blonde hugged Grace. I'll try. I really will. No one seemed to understand the way Gage felt regarding Stella's sudden disappearance from her life. Not Lacy and not Grace. Stella offered no explanation or no goodbye. One day she was there and the next day, she was gone. After being placed with her newly adopted family later that week, Gage's temporary excitement deluded the emptiness of Stella's absence. Within a month after being shipped back to the home, depression, loneliness and the feeling of worthlessness caved in on the six year old. It shadowed her life until she met Lacy.

"She wears your necklace." Grace stated flatly.

Bringing Gage from her dark musings, she confirmed with a smile. "Yes. I love her so much."

"That's evident." Grace backed off from the embrace and nodded to the door. "They're waiting. Next time you're out here… come visit me."

Gage kissed her cheek and promised. "We will."

************************

Back home in St. Troy, Lacy prepared for Dani's upcoming birthday party. Several of the girls her daughter had met last year in school were coming over for a sleep over. She acquiesced to her daughter's request to erect a tent and allow them to sleep outside and tell ghost stories. However, after Gage's conversation with Lacy's father, the worried mother was on the verge of changing her mind.

"Lacy, she's going to be disappointed." Gage offered.

"It can't be helped." Lacy paced around the bedroom. "I…. we can't take the chance. Not now."

Sammy wiggled in Gage's embrace. He wanted his momma. "Would you hold still?" She offered him a cookie to occupy his attention while Gage tried to reason with her partner.

Lacy was too on edge to allow logic to enter her thinking on the subject.

"You promised her." Gage reminded the concerned mom.

Glaring at Gage, Lacy stood in front of her with hands on her hip in defiance. "You heard what dad said. And, they're down there now getting ready." Lacy spared a quick look out the window. "In another hour or so it will be dark outside."

"I know. I know." Gage patted the spot next to her on the bed. "Come here." When Lacy refused to move, the blonde repeated. "Come on." Once Lacy settled next to her, Gage let loose of the anxious young boy in her arms. Sammy plopped on his momma's lap.

Lacy gently pulled him closer finding some solace as she held her son. Having a child in her arms comforted her and Gage knew it. She watched Lacy's face etched with concern soften as Sammy snuggled up to his mother.

"I have an idea. I'll get Dani and her friends settled into their tent next to the garden. They'll be able to see the lake that way and it will give me a place to hide." Gage saw Lacy's eyebrow raise in question. "Once it gets dark, I'll go back out there and park myself at the gazebo where I can keep watch on them all night long. Okay?" Gage slipped her hand to the small of her partner's back, gently rubbing it.

Turning her head sideways, Lacy looked up. "You'd do that?"

"Of course." Seeing the smile spring on her lover's face, Gage knew she made the right decision. Just what I wanted a night out under the stars…. alone.
"Anything that Jim had access to has been checked. We changed the locks and talked with the police."

The gardener Gage hired only worked for a couple more weeks after Lacy and Gage left to resume their movie. Dan Lewis was the first to notice his disappearance and notified Gage. After a brief discussion, they decided to have the locks changed and Dan checked with Steve from the lawn place. He found that Steve didn't really know much about Jim except that his last name was Smith and only worked for him for a couple of weeks before Gage's request for a full time employee.

Dan and Hank did a thorough check of the premises, finding nothing missing or out of the ordinary. Gage and Lacy did the same upon their return from Los Angeles with the same results. It was cause enough for Lacy to worry as there had been a rash of kidnappings throughout the United States.

Gage's words reassured the concerned mother quite a bit. Lacy placed a thankful kiss on her lover's lips. The very observant young boy paid close attention to everything his mother did and realized she had relaxed somewhat. He continued to watch as his mother and Gage exchanged small reassuring kisses. Suddenly, he popped up and wiggled his way between the two adults. Even the two year old could recognize that the blonde who was always hanging around his momma was reassuring her and that pleased the young child.

Gage backed up figuring the young boy didn't like all the attention she was getting from Lacy. It took her totally by surprise when Sammy leaned over and placed a wet kiss on her lips. Shocked, Gage looked at him then to Lacy and back to Sammy who was smiling. "Thank you." She ducked down and pecked him on the cheek causing him to giggle.

"See! He does like you."

Not totally convinced, Gage conceded. "Maybe… a little bit. But, I'll take what I can get." She jumped up off the bed. "Come on. Let's get downstairs. I'm sure Stella would like a reprieve."

Lacy followed Gage to the door but stopped when the blonde came to an unexpected halt. "You know, the real problem is going to be keeping Derek inside. He's been dogging the girls every since they got here."

The younger woman placed her hand on Gage's cheek gently caressing her. "You solved my first problem. I'm sure you can come up with something for this one as well." She passed a perplexed Gage and headed downstairs.

************************

"Mom, would you fix us pancakes in the morning? Chocolate chip pancakes?" Dani asked as her three friends stood close by.

"Yes, I will. Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay inside tonight? You can take over the living room. Pitch the tent in there." Lacy had to try one more time to coax her daughter and friends to camp inside away from the uncertainties of the night.

"No!" They all harmonized in sync. Flipping on their individual flashlights and placing them under their faces so the light shined upward, Dani sealed their collective decision. "We want an adventure."

Having procured a flashlight of his own, Derek mimicked the older girls and added. "Me, too. I'm going along." Squinting his eyes, he shifted them toward Dani, glaring at her.

Frustrated, Lacy let out an aggravated sigh. "You are to stay in the tent and not step one foot out of it. Do you understand?"

Taken aback slightly by her mom's harsh tone, Dani conceded. "We know, mom." Dani loved her brother and didn't mind that he tagged along all afternoon with them but hoped her mom wouldn't insist that Derek get to camp out, too. After all, we're going to talk about boys and…..

Shaking her head, Lacy realized she had overreacted. "Stella, would you put Sammy to bed and I'll be up later." The nanny agreed. "Gage?" She looked at Gage and nodded toward Derek.

The blonde took the hint. "Derek. Why don't we check the perimeter while your mom helps the girls get settled?"

"Oh, all right. Who wants to spend time with girls anyway?" He said sarcastically, not believing what he said himself. Derek enjoyed bothering them all afternoon and especially was happy when his sister pretended she was aggravated with his antics.

Both of Gage's eyebrows shot up.

"I don't think of you as a girl." Seeing Gage's expression fall as she wondered just exactly what he thought of her, Derek used his best disarming smile and revealed his trump card. "I think of you as…. as my hero."

Sweeping the boy up in her arms, the jubilant Gage promised. "For that you get ice cream and tomorrow we'll do something special. Just you and I."

"More ice cream? Yeah." Derek grabbed her hand and yanked. "Let's go."

***********************

Hidden by several bushes, Gage watched the tent from a short distance. Lights flashed on and off inside the tent followed by sporadic spurts of laughter and screams. Gage guessed Dani was re-telling a ghost story she had told the young girl on the plane ride home to St. Troy.

The night was clear and any boating activities in the lake cove had long since deceased for the day. The night sounds hummed steadily provided an eerie background against the young girl's voices and giggles. The sounds of crickets and other critters filled the air with only an unknown creak or small animal apparently moving in the night caused little concern for Gage.

However, after an hour or so on her post, the blonde wished she had brought a blanket to lie on and something to eat. She considered making a quick run back to the house when heavy footfalls demanded her full attention. Gage swallowed hard and sucked in a calming breath. After a quick look toward the tent, seeing no one, she buried herself deeper inside the bushes waiting for the culprit to venture closer. Her flashlight in hand, Gage wished she had brought her cell phone with her.

The footfalls fell still bringing a deadly silence permeating the air as the animals themselves took quiet refuge due to the intruder's presence. I can't just sit here and….. Her thought was cut off by another step of the intruder coming closer. Gage stole a quick peek to the tent and up at the house. She clearly saw her bedroom light on and prayed Lacy had opened the window. It would provide a lifeline in case she had to yell for help.

An alarmed Gage sprung upward then quickly twisting around coming face to face with a tall dark figure. With her flashlight at chest level pointing upward, she flipped it on revealing a very scary sight. Her scream was cut off by a slap of the hand against her mouth.

"Shhhh.." After seeing that the occupants of the tent was undisturbed, the lips close to Gage's ear whispered. "You want to scare the girls."

Drawing in deep breaths, Gage stilled her racing heart. "Lacy, you scared me to death!"

"I'm sorry." Lacy pulled her partner in for a hug. "I couldn't stay inside any longer." She flipped the blanket and let it fall to the ground. Retrieving a small backpack, Lacy tossed it on the blanket. "What's been happening?"

Being pulled to the ground by her partner, Gage settled down again. "You know what I want for Christmas?"

Lacy gazed at their lover. "What?"

"Night vision glasses." Gage cocked her head toward Lacy. "Raising kids… is hard work and anything…. gadgets and such definitely would help."

The dark haired woman nudged Gage. "She hasn't even hit her teen years yet and then there's dating and….." The moonlight revealed Gage's green eyes widen in shock. "…then we'll have three more to do it all over again."

After Lacy mentioned the word 'three', Gage shifted. Pulling Lacy closer, she placed her hand on her partner's stomach. "And, how is our little one?"

Receiving a gentle loving kiss from Gage, she placed her head on the blonde's shoulder. "Wonderful. Me, too."

"Other than a few times during the movie, this time you haven't been as sick." Gage wrapped her arms around her lover, inhaling deeply. Lacy snuggled even closer. "Must be a girl, huh?"

Lacy popped her head up. "Why do you say that?"

Gage shrugged. "Just a feeling."

"Do you want to know before….."

"You?" Gage countered. When Lacy nodded, Gage revealed her own thoughts on the subject. "Me neither. Just as long as both of you are okay. That's all I'm concerned about." The older woman met her lover's lips in a gentle, soothing kiss.

Those kisses soon turned heated. Gently rolling Lacy on her back, Gage moved up placing her leg between the younger woman's legs. Gage's hand found its way up and under Lacy's shirt landing on her lover's breast.

When Lacy yanked at the bottom of Gage's shirt, pulling it upward, the blonde resisted. "Uh uhh. Not out here."

Frustrated, Lacy acquiesced. "No more camp outs for the kids."

Smiling at the lover, Gage said. "Oh, I don't know… it's kinda nice. A moonlit clear night with a beautiful woman in my arms…. I intend to take full advantage of the situation. At least until you go back inside."

Before Lacy pulled Gage closer to take possession of her lover's lips, she said. "I want you inside."

************************

The early morning sunlight wasn't enough to wake the soundly sleeping couple. It was only Dani's declaration to her friends that woke the young mother. "Come on, we'll get our stuff later. Mom said she'd make pancakes this morning."

Blue eyes flew wide open. "Gage, sweetheart, get up!"

Gage jumped up with her head swinging wildly around. "What happened?"

Grabbing the backpack, she ordered Gage. "Get the blanket." Gage watched Lacy in a mad dash across the lawn ducking and weaving in an attempt to hide from Dani and her friends. Seeing that her partner would not be able to make the last twenty-five feet to the house without being discovered, Gage knew she had to do something to divert the young girl's attention.

Rolling her frustrated green eyes, she put the plan into action. In a rush, Gage stumbled out from behind the bushes and got her foot caught on the blanket.

Hearing the swishing of the bushes, Dani and her friends swung around just in time to see Gage fall to the hard ground with a thump. The young girl cocked her lips to one side and squinted her glaring eyes at an embarrassed Gage. "Were you out here all night?"

Caught with no suitable excuse, Gage shrugged.

Twirling around, Dani yelled out. "Mom?" Dani trampled in the kitchen with three angry girls behind her. "Mom? Did you know Gage was outside all night long…. watching us?" Her accusing blue eyes landed squarely on Gage as she entered the kitchen behind them.

Lacy cocked her hands on her hips. With one hand still holding the pancake flipper, Lacy glared at her partner. "Gage! I can't believe it. When did you sneak out last night?" The blonde stood stunned at her partner's words. "Dani is twelve now and perfectly capable of an overnight campout without being observed." She quickly pulled at her partner and pushed her though the kitchen door down the hallway but not before whispering. "I'll make it up to you later."

It was the quick lick of her lover's tongue on her ear and a well-placed hand on her backside that convinced the blonde that later would be more than enough to make up for Lacy placing all the blame on her. Gage heard Lacy join in with the giggling girls about the events of their night out.

Chapter Seventeen

The next day after Gage deposited Dani's friends back to their homes, they enjoyed a quiet weekend before school started on Monday. Compared to Dani's excitement about the new school year, Derek grumbled even after receiving an array of school supplies. He rolled his eyes several times when Dani told him how much he was going to love school.

"Derek, look." She produced her new notebook and then pointed to the one he was given. "There's a place for everything. Pencils, a ruler…. and right there you can put something in it. See it zips."

Derek compared both notebooks and found his to be lacking. "Mine's not as big."

"But it's yellow. You like yellow." Gage inserted though it had no affect on his mood. "And, you have colors. How many colors are in there?"

"Over a hundred! I never got more than 64 in my pack." Dani pointed out to her younger brother.

Still not impressed, Derek's pout remained in tact.

"Come here." Lacy called to her oldest son and he climbed on her lap. The mother pulled her son's head against her shoulder. As she ran long fingers through his hair, Lacy hugged him closely. "It's only for half a day, Derek. Then you get to come home and play with Gage the rest of the day."

Burying his face deeper into her shoulder, he whined. "I want to play all day."

"You will." She assured her son. "In kindergarten…."

"You get to play, too." Gage tried to help.

He gave her a sharp look. "You didn't even go to kindergarten and I don't want to either."

Dani rolled her eyes. Guess I need to get this thing settled. "Derek! You know how much you like to help Sammy." He stared at his sister, not sure what she meant. "You know, boss him around."

Lacy and Gage shared a concerned look before Dani continued. "Not like that." She assured the pair then returned her attention to her brother. "Since you already know your ABC's and numbers all the way up to one hundred. Thanks to me! All the other kids will look to you because they won't know near that kind of stuff. And, you can print your name."

Somewhere in Dani's mini dissertation, Derek perked up. "I get to be the boss."

"Derek, that's not what she meant." Lacy insisted. Yet, the young boy only saw his sister nod her head countering what her mother said. Derek had been a shy boy during his early years but since Gage came into his life and especially since he had a younger brother, he was slowly coming out of his shell. Now it was only with his father and complete strangers that he retreated to the safety of his shyness.

Gage noted Dani's nod to Derek. She remained quiet because Derek was not getting excited about school and she didn't want to douse any enthusiasm at the moment. I'll talk with Lacy later and make sure he finds other reasons to like school.

Derek's gray eyes turned intently to his mother. "Will you take me to school?"

Tapping his nose, Lacy assured him. "We both will."

"Okay." Derek jumped off her lap and headed back to the table where the school supplies sat. Now, with a wide smile on his face, he asked. "What else did you get for me?"

************************

That morning as Lacy and Gage gathered the kids and headed out the front door, David showed up unexpectedly with Hayston by his side. "David! What are you doing here?"

"This is our kid's first day of school, right?" David smiled while Hayston's expression was less than jubilant.

Lacy agreed. "Yes."

"We'll I'm here to take them to school. We both will." David insisted. He found a smile on Dani's face as Derek scooted behind his mother.

"I… we…. Gage and I were just about to do that." Temporarily stymied by David's interest, Lacy offered. "You can go with us." Lacy wanted David to be in her children's life and welcomed his attention to them. However, he picked the most inopportune times to show that interest.

"All three of us?" David asked then looked questionably at Gage.

"I could… I could stay here and watch Sammy." Gage offered weakly.

David shoved Hayston up next to the blonde. "Keep Hayston company till we get back."

"Gage?" Lacy intently stared at her partner.

"It's okay." She dropped down next to Derek. "I'll pick you up at noon. Okay?"

Nodding his head, Derek clung to his mother's hand.

Frustrated, Lacy reluctantly instructed Dani to take Derek to their father's car and get in the back. Before she walked to the car, Lacy jerked David closer by his lapel. "Next time…. call."

Gage walked Lacy's to David's rented car and the younger woman turned to her partner. "We'll be back within the hour." Lacy stole a quick kiss before getting in the car. Gage shut the door and waved to them as the car spun away.

Twisting back around, she saw Hayston nervously waiting. "Want some breakfast?"

"You don't have to be so nice. I'm sure you don't like this as much as I do." Hayston swung her purse up over her shoulder.

"Maybe not…. but, I'm hungry and you look like you could use a meal or two."

The charming smile Gage offered the younger woman was disarming and Hayston conceded to the offer. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As they walked together inside the house, Gage said. "Didn't mean it any other way."

Hayston ate as if she had skipped a week's worth of meals. When Gage offered more, she slumped back against the chair, grabbing her stomach. "No! That was delicious though."

Gage shrugged. "Just pancakes." The blonde sat down next to her and asked. "Now that I have you plied with food…. why are you here?"

"David… why is David here!" Hayston understood the question. "He really does miss his kids and after we lost…." She let that thought die on her lips. "His career isn't as hot as it once was and I'm tired of it….. for now. By the way, thank you for letting me be in your film."

"Thank Lacy." Gage gathered the plates and sat them in the sink. "You want to see Sammy for a bit? I'm sure Stella could use a break."

************************

After Lacy and David dropped their two children off at school, she turned toward him in the car. "Shall we get to it now or wait?"

"I don't know what you mean, Lacy. I'm here to spend some time with my children. Is that a bad thing?"
Not entirely believing him, Lacy shrugged. "Mmmmmm… no, it's not if that was the only reason you were here."

"Listen, honey…" He hesitated when she shot him a glaring look. "Can't you believe me?"

"This had better not be about our deal." Lacy questioned.

************************

Hayston was hesitant to hold the two year old but Gage insisted that she would do fine. "He looks like David."

Nodding, Gage agreed. "Yes. He's a handsome little guy. Derek does, too."

"I'm surprised to hear you say that." Sammy sat quietly on her lap while playing with the little yellow duck.

She shrugged. "It's true. David's good looking and so are his sons. But, they both have Lacy's smile." When Hayston didn't respond, Gage ventured down a line of questioning she knew would be treacherous. "Why do you stay with him?"

Taken aback by the direct question, Hayston finally found her voice and offered a shallow response. "Like you said, he's handsome."

"That's not a reason to be with someone."

Hayston sucked in a deep breath after Sammy wiggled, dropping his toy. As Gage scrambled for it, the younger woman revealed some of her feelings. "He's … he can be very charming when he wants to be."

When Gage handed the toy back to Sammy, he held out his arms wanting her to take him. Gage gathered him in her arms and sat down on the floor where he could play.

Uncharacteristically, Hayston joined the two on the floor before she continued. "He's manly, virile and I like the way he takes charge." A forlorn look swept across her face. "Not when he's demanding like he is sometimes or when he's impatient…. rather it's his 'I can do anything attitude' even when things look bleak. With our careers in a slump right now, he refuses to accept that…. he just keeps going as if nothing can stop him."

Having learned more about him than she expected, Gage admitted. "I've seen him at work. He's a good producer and knows what works. Can't say that about the way he is in his personal life though especially with Derek."

"He's jealous of you, you know."

Surprised, Gage looked up.

"Oh, yes." Hayston admitted. "Not just about Lacy being with you. It grates against him that the kids love you so much. And, as you said especially Derek."

"He's easy to love and get along with, Hayston. Derek's a great kid. He doesn't have Dani's outgoing personality which is similar to David but…."

Stella's entrance caught their attention. "You have a call from Mark." She handed Gage the telephone and picked up Sammy. "Let me see if he needs changed."

"Thanks, Stella." Gage glanced at Hayston. "Excuse me a moment. Hello Mark. How are you?" She listened for a while, nodding a few times before she confirmed. "Absolutely, Lacy and I will be there. I'll tell her. Hey, before you go. That's around the same time as when the movie comes out, right?"

Hayston who hadn't been paying much attention to her companion's conversation was now very interested when Gage mentioned the movie. She waited patiently until Gage hung up the telephone. "The movie is coming out before the end of the year?"

"Hmmmm… yes. The premiere will be in New York City…. right before Christmas." Gage confirmed.

Hayston sighed. "There goes our Christmas plans."

Suddenly, Gage and Hayston realized they were still sitting on the kitchen floor. A small smile played on their lips as both scrambled to see who could get up first.

***********************

When David hinted around that maybe he and Hayston could stay at Lacy and Gage's home, Lacy quickly grabbed the telephone and made reservations for them at a nearby hotel. "I'm sure you'll be much more comfortable there."

Before he left with Hayston, David insisted that he pick the kids up each day during his week's stay. "Not today, David. I promised Derek I would pick him up and that's a promise I intend to keep." Gage vowed.

He grinned smugly. "Okay. The rest of the week I do."

Before Gage could protest, Lacy intervened. "We'll take them to school in the morning……. and Dani gets off at noon on Thursday same as Derek."

"Gotcha." David agreed.

Watching David and Hayston leave, Gage left Lacy standing at the door. Lacy recognized the tell tale signs her lover displayed after David's insistence that he pick up the kids. Mmmmmm….. looks like I need to do some reassuring here.

Lacy checked on Sammy while she gave Gage some time to consider David's unexpected visit. When she finally stuck her head through the doorway, she found Gage's fingers racing across the keyboard on her laptop. "Can I come in?"

Gage shrugged and didn't miss a letter.

Lacy walked around behind her lover and placed gentle hands on Gage's shoulders. Rubbing her neck, Lacy eased her way into the conversation she knew they would discuss. "I know you had it all planned. We'd take the kids to school in the morning then you would write till it was time to pick up Derek while I spend time with Sammy."

Gage shifted her shoulders against the soothing and welcome touch of her partner but she didn't want Lacy to think she was going to give in so easily.

"And, then the afternoon was going to be filled with fun for you and Derek."

"And Sammy…." Gage said.

"Yes, and Sammy… he loves you."

"Derek does."

"Sammy does, too."

"Now, with him here… he may not." Lacy pulled her lover back from the keyboard and sat on Gage's lap. "Hayston reminded me just how much both your sons are like …. him."

"David being here doesn't change the way we all feel about you." Lacy kissed her lover then stroked her cheek. "He doesn't want to take over…. just be in their life a little bit more."

"And you believe that?"

"Gage, sweetheart, I do. Though David's career will always come first."

"People get older, Lacy. Things change. They start to see their children as a monument to their lives and….."

"Is that the way you see them…. your sons? They belong to you, too. All of them….. just as much as this one does." Lacy patted her stomach.

Gage placed her hand over Lacy's. "That's the way I feel about them… as mine, too. Is that okay?"

Concerned green eyes searched blue ones for approval. "More than okay. You know that and we've talked about this before." Lacy dropped her head next to Gage's. "Stella said Mark called."

Squeezing her lover, Gage confirmed. "Yeah, the wedding's in December just before Christmas. And, the weekend before Mark's set for the premiere."

"Christmas in New York? Sounds good."

"No, Christmas in England. He's getting married there. His grandfather isn't well enough to travel. Do you mind?"

"Are you and the kids going to be there?" Meeting a glare from her lover, Lacy rhetorically asked. "Then where else would I be?"

"Good. Now, one more thing. As Mark's best….. person, I'm gonna have to give him a… some kind of party."

"Okay….. I'll give one for Julie the same night."

"Hey, if you do that, I can't go to both of them." Gage whined.

Lacy ducked in for a quick kiss. "Probably best if you're not there anyway." The blonde's eyebrows rose in question. "In case, we have a stripper."

"What? Lacy Francine… there is no way you will be there then….not without me."

Lacy jumped off her lap and scrambled out the door. "You trust me, don't you?"

"I trust you… it's the guy stripping that I don't trust."

As she ran down the hallway, Lacy yelled back. "Who said the stripper would be a guy?"

Green eyes nearly popped out of her head.

*************************

The week went by smoothly until Thursday when David picked up both Dani and Derek. As David drove back to their home, a small squirrel ran across the rode and much to his credit David tried to miss it but didn't.

Derek strained against his seatbelt trying to see what happened to the squirrel but the thump he heard confirmed his worst fear. With angry eyes, Derek glared at his father. "You killed it."

"I didn't mean to." David casually said. "It happens."

"Let me out." Derek screamed as he tugged at the seatbelt latch.

"Hey!" David reached over trying to pull his son's hand away from the latch. "Stop that."

"Derek. We can go back and check on him." Dani tried to reason with her brother.

"He killed him on purpose." Refusing to look at his father, the little boy crossed his arms. Slamming his chin against his chest, he mumbled underneath his breath. "Murderer."

David kept driving while Derek continued to ignore him. "Derek! It was just a squirrel…. like I said sometimes that happens when they cross the road. It's life."

"I hate you." Derek proclaimed.

Frustrated, Dani knew their planned stop on the way home would not happen. There goes my ice cream.

When they arrived home, Derek hurried out of the car and ran into the house. He searched and searched until he found the only person who he knew would understand. Breathing heavy, Derek spoke quickly. "He could have stopped but he didn't. He killed him."

"Whoa there. What happened?" Gage felt the little boy's chest heaving over his racing heart.

"Honey! What happened?" Lacy heard her son as he ran through the house and followed him to Gage's writing room.

Gage stood up and carried Derek to the small couch so they could all sit together. "Now, Derek. Take a big breath and calm down, okay?"

"I hate him." He chanced a look at his mother. "I do."

"Come here." Lacy helped her son to her lap. "Who do you hate and why?"

David followed Dani inside the room just in time to be targeted by Derek's accusing finger. "Him!"

Dani wanted to help so she said. "Mom, dad accidentally hit a squirrel."

"That's right. I didn't do it on purpose." David affirmed.

"He killed him." Derek searched Gage's eyes wanting her to be on his side.

"Honey, I know it's real bad when that happens but sometimes it can't be helped." Lacy tried to reason with her five-year-old son.

He frowned at Gage hoping she would speak up. "Derek? You remember earlier this summer when that turtle was on the road?" He nodded. "I could have easily hit it….."

"You didn't."

"No, we were lucky. A turtle's slower than a squirrel though and sometimes…. if it had been a squirrel that day the same thing might have happened. Not because I wanted to hurt him."

"They have rights, too. You said so." Derek echoed Gage's words about an animal's right to this land just as much as humans.

"They do…… " She agreed. "So do fish but we go fishing and catch them and… eat them."

Lacy added. "You like to fish, don't you?"

"We didn't eat the squirrel. He just left him there."

David rolled his eyes. "What was I supposed to do? Scoop it up, skin it and bring it home for supper?"

"David! Be helpful not hurtful." Lacy admonished her ex-husband.

He snuggled up to his mother and whispered. "I don't want him to pick me up anymore. Please?"

Lacy nodded. "Okay. Only Gage or I will."

Seeing her brother in such a state of despair, Dani crossed her arms and tapped her foot. "Well, dad, we could have buried him on the side of the road and given it a funeral. Instead, of just leaving it there."

Staring at his daughter, he said. "I thought you were on my side."

"That's enough." Lacy declared. "Gage will go back there and get it. Okay?"

"Come on, Derek." Dani turned to Gage. "Can we go, too?"

"Sure, why not?" Gage offered Lacy a mock smile. "Just what I always wanted to do."

After Derek jumped off his mother's lap, Gage leaned in closer and whispered to her partner. "You stay and keep the murderer company while I go and get the body. Oh, and you owe me for this one."

***********************

The funeral was short and sweet and no one had much of an appetite after that. David went back to the hotel frustrated that his attempt to bond with his children especially Derek was futile. Lacy tried to assure him that it would take time and patience. David's problem was that he could not put himself in others people's shoes and subsequently could not see where they were coming from. He had one point of view and expected other's to see it his way.

Dani gave him the best advice of his life before he left. "All you had to do was stop and listen to Derek. That's all. Showed him you cared about what he was feeling." David wasn't used to listening. He was much better at making decision and schedules and then implementing them. Listening took too much precious time away from the demands of a producer trying to make a movie and bringing it in on budget. With a drink in his hand, he pondered his daughter's sage words and wondered about the baby Hayston lost.

************************

The following week after David left, Lacy, Gage and the kids fell into a pleasant routine. All was going well until Dani came home from school one afternoon fuming at the events of the day. "Mom, we have to talk!"

Gage shrugged when Lacy eyed her. "I didn't do anything."

"Okay, Dani." She grabbed her daughter's hand. "Let's go down by the dock."

"The boys and I will find something to do while you girls have your little session." Gage took Sammy from his mother and met relatively no resistance from the small tyke. "Come on, Derek. Let's find some trouble to get into." Not getting a rise out her partner, Gage added. "Where's Stella? I'm sure we can harass her."

"Don't pay attention to her mom. She's like a little kid sometimes always wanting your attention." Dani clearly hit the nail on the head regarding Gage's intention.

Lacy draped her arm over her daughter's shoulder. "I had her figured out years ago."

They walked quietly to the lakefront. After settling down on the edge of the dock, Lacy asked. "You going to tell me what's on in your mind?"

"I like school and all. We have lots of fun there." Dani shrugged then said. "Most of kids in my grade are nice."

"But?"

"There's this boy." When Dani saw her mom's eyebrows shoot up, the young girl cautioned her mother. "It's not like that."

"Then tell me what it's like."

"He pesters me. Always follow me and my friends around. He tries to make me mad on purpose."

"He likes you." Lacy surmised then added. "And, you like him."

Dani jumped up and cocked her hands on her hips. "I do not."

Watching her daughter carefully, Lacy smiled. "Me thinks you protest too much."

Glaring at her mother with the same blue eyes, Dani insisted. "I know what you mean by that….it's not true."

"Dani, you like boys, don't you?"

Dani relented, dropping her hand to her side. "Yes, sorta. They're not very mature though. You should see them, mom." Dani plopped back down next to her mother. "They do weird things."

"Like what?"

"Like the things they say and they go around picking at you. You know, hitting you…. not hard more like playing tag or something. Or, they pull at your hair and laugh. Things like that." Dani concluded.

"And, this boy… does it more than most?"

"Definitely. He sits behind me in class."

"I'll talk with your teacher so you can move." Lacy offered.

"No!" Dani protested then reasoned in a calm voice. "I don't want my friends to know my mom had to step in."

"Gotcha." Lacy smiled. "What are you going to do then?"

Dani leaned back. "What did you do?"

Lacy chuckled as she remembered a few incidents in school. She could still remember Jason following her and her friends around on the playground much to her older brother's protests. "That's a hard one. Are you sure you don't like him?"

"Mom." Dani whined. "My friends think he's kinda cute though. This is his first year here. He moved here from New York and thinks he's ……"

"Something else?" Lacy supplied.

"Something like that."

"Okay then I suggest you ignore him. No matter what he does. At first, it might not seem to work but after awhile he'll give up."

Pondering her mother's words, Dani wondered. "You sure he will? Not pay attention to me anymore…. or tal…. bother me."

"Yep."

Her mother's reassuring words were a bit unsettling to the young girl. I want him to stop being mean to me not leave me alone.

Lacy could see her daughter's mind spinning from her advice. She was in tune enough with her oldest child to know that Dani's feelings regarding this young boy danced precariously on a thin line.

"Come on." Dani stood up. "We gave Gage and the boys enough time to get into plenty of trouble." As Lacy walked back to the house with Dani by her side, the young girl said. "Thanks, mom."

Pulling Dani in for a warm hug, Lacy said. "I love you."

"Oh, I know." Dani agreed, hugging her mother back fiercely.

Smiling, Lacy knew her advice would assure the continued torment from Dani's attentive young man since no male whether young or old liked to be ignored.


Continued in Chapter 18