Chapters 12 & 13

 

 

Chapter 12 Fairy Tales

The family room at Wyndemere. "Lu." Stefan smiles warmly at his daughter. "I'm glad you could come." He holds out his arms to her and drops an affectionate kiss on her cheek.

"How are you and Mom holding up?" Lu asks shrugging out of her coat and returning his embrace.

"As well as can be expected." Stefan answers sitting next to her on the couch. "I take it Dylan will not be joining us?"

Lu is unable to meet his eyes. "No. There was an emergency at E.L.Q. Dylan was needed."

"And your day together?" Stefan prods.

"Daddy, you're prying." Lu admonishes gently, taking his hand in her own. "I hate it when you do that."

"I'm sorry Angel. It's just that you seem unhappy, and are unwilling to talk about it with either your mother or myself." Stefan's dark eyes study her intently. "Tell me what is wrong."

"Daddy. I have always depended on you to help me when I've been lost, or hurt, or scared. That was fine when I was a child." Lu meets his gaze head on. "But now, I'm a grown woman. I have to start living my own life and solving my own problems. If you and Mom were having trouble in your marriage, I don't think you'd come to me."

"That is entirely different." Stefan responds.

"No, it isn't. My marriage is between me and Dylan. I need it to stay that way."

Seeing the determination in her dark eyes, Stefan sighs inwardly. "As you wish Angel. But remember that no matter what happens, your mother and I are here for you. We love you with all our hearts, and any time you need a shoulder, I have two."

Lu kisses his cheek. "I know Daddy. And knowing that makes getting through the tough parts a little bit easier. So still no word on Richard?" Lu changes the subject.

"Nope, and Nikolas is getting restless," Brooke states as she and Laura enter the room.

Lu greets both women with a hug and kiss. "You know, I'm surprised at how restrained Lucky's been. I figured he'd be bouncing off the walls by now." She smiles. "I mean that in the most endearing way possible."

Laura laughs. "Of course. I must admit I thought Lucky would be chaffing at the time limit too."

"How is my nephew?" Lu asks Brooke.

"He's fine, but would like to see his favorite aunt." Brooke smiles. "He just finished his dinner and would love to have a story read to him."

"Well, lead on Mc Duff!" Lu replies. "Mom, Dad. I'll be back in a bit."

"Okay honey." Laura settles in comfortably next to Stefan on the sofa. "So my darling husband, what were you and Lu discussing so intently before Brooke and I interrupted?"

"My concerns about her happiness." Stefan answers ruefully. "I do not believe that she is happy, Lasha. I know you feel the same."

"Stefan." Laura frames his face in her hands and kisses him deeply. "I adore you, but you can't interfere in Lu's life every time you're "concerned"."

"She is our daughter and I want her happy. If that fool Dylan cannot make her happy then I want for her to find someone who can."

"Stefan. . . " Laura begins to chastise him.

"Lasha, don't tell me that you don't see the same signs I do." Stefan interrupts.

"Of course I do, Stefan." Laura sighs, "But I have faith in Lu's ability to handle her own affairs and difficulties. And I also firmly believe that she has the sense to know when to ask for help. Which she hasn't done. Darling, you know that Lu won't tolerate any interference in her marriage. I don't want it to cause a rift between you."

"You are right, as always." Stefan says reluctantly. "But it will no prevent me from
worrying."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Where's Destiny?" Lucky bellows from upstairs. "She's gonna be late!"

Emily rolls her eyes and counts to ten, then opens the front door to a harried looking Destiny. "Hi Des. Right on time."

"I would have been here sooner, but my last meeting ran late." She gives Em a quick hug and calls out. "Where's my munchkin?"

"Desi!" Leia races in from the kitchen.

"Leia Snookums!" Destiny whirls the little girl around. "Oomph! When did you get so big?"

"When you weren't looking!" Leia gives her a smacking kiss. "What'd ya' bring me?"

"Leia!" Emily admonishes.

"But Mommy! Desi always brings me something." Leia protests.

"I might have brought you a thing or two." Destiny teases. "But you can't see them till we get rid of the oldsters."

Leia wriggles down. "I'll get Daddy ready." She declares emphatically, stomping up the stairs. "Daddy! Hurry it up, will ya'?"

Emily and Destiny chuckle at Leia's antics and sit on the worn couch. "What's the occasion?" Destiny asks. "All Lucky said was that he needed a warm body to be adult-sat by Leia."

"Monica and Alan's anniversary." Em says with a sad smile. "It would have been their 55th."

Destiny lays her hand on top of Emily's. "You must miss them."

"Ever since the car accident last year," Emily shakes her head. "I still want to call them up and tell them about Leia's latest milestone or just to shoot the breeze. It's still so unreal." She smiles sadly. "But Lucky convinced me that the best way to remember them was how they lived. And to remember how much they loved each other."

"He's right." Destiny whispers. "I hate it when he's right, but he is."

"I heard that!" Lucky says descending the staircase. "Come on baby! Time's a wastin'!"

Emily lets out a low wolf whistle at her handsomely dressed husband. "Hubba-hubba!"

"And might I add "Hubba"?" Destiny teases as Lucky does a turn around the room slinging his black jacket over his shoulder as if he's modeling.

"Milady?" Lucky offers his arm to Emily. "Destiny, try and keep my child from burning down the house. And if you can't do that then at least save the record collection."

"Hardy, har har." Des rolls her eyes.

"Please." Emily winces. "No Hardy's in this house."

Lucky roars with laughter as the two walk to the car.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Firehouse. Dominique comes down the stairs into the living room rubbing her neck. "Hey Scorpio! How about a game of pool?"

"What, and interrupt your work?" Ian says in surprise. "You've only been at it for ten hours."

"I know, and I've hit a brick wall on some of this stuff." Dom says. "A game of pool might give me the break I need." She picks up the small gray kitten and holds her to her chest. "Come on, Smokey and I will play nice."

"Okay. Are you going to give me a butt whuppin like you did at the shooting range?"

Dominique considers the question cocking her head to the side. "Possibly."

"As long as I know what I'm getting into." Ian smiles.

"WOW!" Dom clutches her chest. "The boy's got teeth! He smiled Smokey! He really smiled!"

Ian blushes. "Quit it." He follows her down into the refurnished basement where the pool table is and they rack up a game.

In the darkness outside, a shadowy figure puts up the kickstand on Ian's motorcycle and slowly pushes it out of the driveway.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At Lucky and Emily's house, the doorbell rings. "I'll get it!" Leia squeals.

"Uh-uh munchkin!" Destiny stops her in her tracks. "I'll get it." She throws open the door to find Rick standing on the other side. "Rick! What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for Lucky." He says leaning against the doorjamb, trying not to laugh at the picture before him. Destiny is wearing a neon pink Tu-tu, a rhinestone studded tiara, and more make up than the old televangilist's wife Tammy Something Baker.

""Why are you looking for Lucky?" Destiny asks.

"He's my new boss and I had some questions for him." Rick explains. "Can I come in?"

"Sure. He and Emily are out tonight so I'm kid watching." Destiny suddenly looks down at herself and cringes. "I don't normally look like this. . . . "

"I dunno." Rick teases mercilessly. "I kinda like the tu-tu."

"You are one sick puppy, Rick." Destiny laughs.

"Hey! You're Rick." Leia says running up to the adults. She is wearing a bright purple tu-tu and even more make up than Destiny. "He came to see my Daddy before. He even watched movies with us."

"Nice to see you again Princess Leia." Rick kneels down to her level. "You look lovely this evening."

"Thank you. Destiny and I are playing dress up," Leia informs him proudly

"We were playing dress up, but now you're gonna wash the gunk off your face, change into p.j's and then we are gonna do a book-a-thon." Destiny corrects.

"Cool!" Leia spins around a few times, and starts up to the bathroom.

"Need any help?" Des asks.

"No. I can wash my own face." Leia responds. Then from the top of the stairs she asks, "Can Rick stay?"

"Go and wash up and we'll see." Destiny responds. She turns back to Rick. "You're lucky, Leia doesn't take to just anybody."

"She's a sweetheart." Rick says simply.

Destiny wipes her make up off and slips the tu-tu off from over her jeans and a T-shirt. "There. That's better."

"I dunno, the tiara kind of turned me on." Rick deadpans.

Destiny rolls her eyes and tries to keep from laughing. "Oh brother! A comedian. Everybody's a comedian!"

Rick settles on the couch. "Not many high powered business woman take the night off to babysit."

"I consider it a promotion." Destiny chuckles as she begins to straighten up the messy living room. "Besides, I don't have anything better to do at night these days."

"No boyfriend?" Rick arches an eyebrow.

"Out of the country boyfriend." Destiny sighs dropping all the toys into the toy chest. "I come into town for the first time in a year, and he's got business out of the country and is gone for a month or so."

"That's got to be rough." Rick sympathizes.

"It is, but we both knew there would be conflicts." Destiny says. "But nothing's ever easy."

"So you fill your time doing kind acts for the unfortunate?"

Destiny throws a pillow at him. "Yes. I am bound for Sainthood. Can't you tell?"

"Destined for greatness?" Rick tosses the pillow back at her.

Destiny can't help but laugh. "Didn't I warn you about the name jokes?" She asks in mock exasperation. "If you want to stay for story time, you gotta lay off the name jokes."

 

Chapter 13 Sibling Revelry

The Outback the next day, Lu walks in wearing a smart business suit and carrying a briefcase. Spying Rick she orders a cup of coffee and joins him at the bar. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long." She apologizes.

"Not at all. I'm just grateful you could fit me into your schedule."

"No problem." Lu says. "I just thought that it would be a good idea for us to talk about what kind of place you are looking for, and what you want."

"I'm really not picky. At this point I just want somewhere to live." Rick says.

"Well, let's try and narrow it down to a few places. I have the current listings on computer." She opens her briefcase and pulls out her laptop computer along with a folder full of CD-ROMs. "Let me know when there's one that you really like."

The two begin to go through the CD-ROMs, making notes on which houses Rick is most interested in.

"Mac!" Simon calls from the doorway.

"Simon! Mate! Get on in here!" Mac responds cheerfully. Noticing the packages under his arm, Mac asks Simon. "So what's in the frames?

"A little present for you." Simon smiles wickedly. "I ran into Ian and Dominique at the shooting range the other day. He was giving Dom instructions." Simon pulls out one frame. "These were Ian's targets."

Mac looks at the paper dummies and gives a low whistle. "He's a good shot."

"These are Dom's." Simon holds up the next frame.

A slow, evil smile crosses Mac's face. "Why Simon. Thank you for bringing these in. I have a bare spot right on this wall over here that's been screaming for something." He gently lifts two posters off the wall behind the bar and replaces them with the framed targets, steps back and smiles. "Perfect. Why Simon my boy, I didn't know you had a flair for decorating!"

Noticing Lu and Rick at the other end of the bar, Simon greets her. "Hello again."

"Simon Collins, I would like you to meet Rick James." The two men shakes hands.

"Coffee, Simon?" Mac asks, coffee pot in hand.

"Thanks." Simon takes a big gulp and sits down. "So what's going on?" He asks curiously eying the real estate books spread out.

"Lu is kind enough to help me find a place to stay." Rick says gratefully. "Last minute too."

"I can't friggin believe it!" Ian swears as he stomps angrily into the Outback after Dominique.

"What is it, Ian?" Mac asks with concern.

"Someone stole my bike!" He growls, throwing his leather jacket across the otherwise empty bar.

"Not your 1992 classic Harley in mint condition?" Simon's jaw drops.

"Yes." Ian slumps onto a stool at the bar. "Can you believe it?"

Dominique gives Lu a brief hug and whispers. "He's been inconsolable all morning."

Simon pats his shoulder sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

"That's o. . . " Ian stops short when he sees Mac's new decorations. "What the--?"

"Oh, those." Simon takes a couple of steps back. "Well, they were funny before, but now they seem like kicking a man when he's down."

Dom follows Ian's gaze and her eyes dance. "I like them!"

Ian pours himself a cup of coffee. "You would." He grumbles.

"Can I get you to autograph the frame for me?" Mac asks Dom, holding out a permanent marker.

"With pleasure." Dom scrawls her name dramatically. "No, no more autographs please."

The door opens and slams. "Grrrrr." Destiny snarls low in her throat. "Nothing! Nothing in this whole town!" She storms over to the bar and pulls up a stool.

"Good morning, Dominique." Dom mimics. "How are you? Oh I'm fine, Des. And yourself?"

"Hush!" Destiny scolds. "I am ranting and raving, I don't need any help from the peanut gallery!"

"My sisters. Scary, and scarier." Simon whispers to Rick jokingly.

"This isn't funny anymore." Destiny shakes the real estate section in the air. "There's no place in this whole dang town for me to live in!"

Lu smiles soothingly. "Now Destiny, I am sure that I can help you find a nice place to live."

"Oh sure, that's what the last three agents told me." Destiny gives an unladylike snort.

"Look. I'm helping Rick with the same problem. Maybe if you have free time today we can go around together and see if any of these houses suit you." Lu suggests.

"And what if we like the same one?" Des asks.

"You flip for it." Lu answers.

"Well that's not fair." Rick protests. "Destiny is MUCH smaller than I am. I'm sure I could take her four outta five falls."

"Hey man!" Simon grumbles. "You're talking about my sister here!" He playfully grabs at Rick's shirt. "No one throws the brat around except me!"

"I never get to have any fun!" Rick complains.

"All of you behave or I am telling your parents." Mac scolds as he walks out from behind the bar shaking his head. "Hoodlums." He mutters loud enough for them to hear.

"See what you did, Simon?" Dominique teases.

"Wasn't my fault." Simon protests.

"Was so." Destiny corrects.

"Was not." Simon replies childishly.

"Funny, but I think I am reliving your childhood." Rick says interrupting them. He turns to Lu and asks curiously. "Is everyone in this town like them?" He jerks a thumb in the direction of Simon, Destiny and Dominique.

"Yes. Some are worse." Lu confides hesitantly.

"Really? Then perhaps I should look at a short term lease."

"No!" Destiny exclaims. "I've got a better idea. Why don't we share a house? I mean two incomes are better than one anyways, we can get a nicer place. I'll buy the house and you'll rent from me. Then if you want to leave, all I have to do is find another taker."

"Oh, you want to buy not lease!" Lu bites her lip thoughtfully. "That's a possibility. If we can find a place you'd BOTH like. The buyer's market is better than the renter's market anyway."

"What about your long distance boyfriend?" Rick asks. "Will he mind you moving in with a handsome stranger?"

Simon folds his arms across his chest. "Yes Destiny, what about that BOY-friend of yours?"

"He'll survive." Destiny answers. "It's a place to live."

"Then it sounds fine to me too." Rick agrees. "I'm game if you are."

"Then let's start looking." Destiny says excitedly.

Ian reenters the room before anyone had noticed he was gone. "I talked with Grandpa and he thinks the missing bike could be just a coincidence." He whispers to Dom. "But I think we should go back to the firehouse and check things out."

"Hey guys, this has been fun, but Ian needs a lift and I've gotta run." Dom excuses them, ignoring the odd look Simon gives her. "See you later! Happy house hunting!" The two leave the Outback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Back at the Firehouse. A figure clad all in black moves stealthily through the living room admiring his handiwork. Hanging from the high ceiling is a mobile. Not just any mobile, but a mobile made up entirely of motorcycle parts. Every nut, every bolt, dangling from a huge aluminum and steel frame. The figure chuckles to itself, putting all the tools away and whistles a merry tune as he lets himself out the same way he came in.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I want this house." Rick and Destiny say simultaneously.

"Finally! Something you both like!" Lu sighs in relief. She glances around the sprawling contemporary house in satisfaction. "It's got everything both of you want."

"It has a greenhouse!" Destiny exclaims. "Excuse me, I am a little Vaklempt." She places a hand on her chest. "It's like butter."

Rick turns to Lu. "How soon can we get in?"

Lu looks down at her folder. "Let's see. Oh yes! The owner needs to unload it so that he can move out of the country. Lemme make a phone call and see if we can't get you in tonight." She moves to the kitchen and flips open her cell phone.

Rick and Destiny smile at one another. "She's good isn't she?" Rick asks consideringly.

"Lu? She's the best." Destiny replies walking around the living room trying to decide what furniture should go where. "You know. I think between hand me downs from my parents, and Serena and stuff from the firehouse we can have this place furnished in no time. My family's a bunch of pack-rats."

"Good. Cause I forgot my furniture in my other suit." Rick says lightly.

"Oh boy! What have I gotten myself into?" Destiny groans.

"A new house." Lu answers. "The owner wants to sign today, you guys can move in tonight."

"Perfect! Just wait till Dom sees this place! All the natural light, the studio, my greenhouse. She'll die of envy." Destiny checks her watch. "If I hurry I can get to the bank and arrange a transfer from my savings for the down payment." She picks up her keys. "See ya' later Lu! Bye Roommie!" She calls hurrying out the door.

"What a tornado." Lu muses affectionately.

"Have you know Destiny for a long time?" Rick asks.

"Since the night she was born." Lu smiles. "My father and Destiny's father are related in some convoluted way. Cousins, I think."

"Oh, that's right. Destiny might have mentioned that."

"It wouldn't surprise me, Destiny mentions a lot." Lu laughs. "Any other interesting tidbits of information?"

"Not really." Rick hedges carefully. "Just that a lot of people know about your family, but few people know them."

"That about sums it up." Lu begins to gather her folders from the counter.

"Why so much mystery?" Rick asks.

"A lot of history," Lu responds. "It goes back a long time, each generation with stories to tell. Each one more infamous than the last."

"I see. Destiny said that you've got another brother besides Lucky?"

"Yes.. Nikolas. He's my eldest brother." Lu sighs softly. "And there is my youngest brother. But he isn't with us."

"I'm sorry." Rick apologizes. "I didn't mean to bring up any unpleasant memories."

"It's okay. It's been a long time." Lu answers slowly. "My youngest brother was kidnapped as a baby."

Rick turns to look out the window, swallowing a lump in this throat. "I'm sorry." He repeats softly this time.

"We all are." Lu's face brightens. "But for the first time in years we've gotten a good lead and have hope."

"I'm happy for you." Rick smiles. "And for him."

"Now, we really should go." Lu says uncomfortable with his scrutiny. "There's a lot of work to do if you and Destiny are going to move in tonight."

"After you." Rick holds the front door open for her.