Parental Advisory Rating: L, N, AC

Break out those V-Chips, everyone!

Credits:

Created, Produced, Directed and Written:

Fanatic and TNovan

As soon as I’m settled in my hotel room, I call our home number. No answer. I try her cell. No answer. I’m not liking this one damn bit. I know she’s not at work. Where in the hell is she and why isn’t she answering her phone?

I take the laptop out and fire it up. Checking my email, I scan the list. Ah, there's my girl. Hopefully it'll tell me what in the hell is going on; otherwise my ass is back on a plane and headed home. I wanted to fly my new baby down here, but with the price of fuel right now, it didn't seem prudent. Since we're flying it home in two weeks for Kels' birthday and the fourth of July, I decided to let the company pick up the tab for this trip. Plus, I want to learn how to fly it. I love new toys.

"Hi Sweetheart,

"My cell phone suffered a meltdown during lunch today. Don’t ask. It involved a flambé and a very embarrassed waiter. My cell put up a valiant fight for life but in the end succumbed to its injuries. Brian and I are going out to get me a new one tonight. If you need me you can reach me on Brian’s cell. The number is…"

I don’t even bother to read the rest of the message before I’m dialing.

"Hi ya, Stud!" Brian chirps in my ear.

"Give the phone to Kels."

"Grouch," he grumbles.

"Bitch," I reply. Two can play at this game. I’m actually learning to enjoy sparring with him. He’s harmless and he adores Kels. I can’t fault his taste.

"What did you call me?" Kels voice catches me off guard.

"Nothing." Oh shit. Think fast, Kingsley. "I said - Betcha didn’t know how much I miss you."

"Right." She doesn’t sound convinced.

"I miss you something awful." I, of course, tell her this in the most pitiful voice I can manage.

"I miss you too, Tabloid. So, I guess you and Kendra made it to Columbia all right?"

"We did. Flying commercial again was painful. And, I wish you were here with me instead." Now my tone is truly pitiful. I stretch out on the bed and pick at the cover. It’s going to be a long week.

"Yeah, me too. But the story is important and it’s good she’s doing it. The network would have a fit if I touched anything gay-related right now. Besides, I got to do a thrilling piece about a guy who says yard waste is the next great source of energy. That was a real nail-biter, let me tell you."

"Yard waste? You don’t mean dog poop, do you?"

She laughs in my ear. "If it can be considered yard waste, this guy says he can make fuel out of it."

"Delightful."

"That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the whole thing too. So, I finished that up, kidnapped Brian, and we went to lunch. I had a minor equipment failure there. So I decided to take the rest of the day off and we’ve been shopping ever since."

"Careful, sweetie," I warn. "You don’t want to get Langston any more pissed. I want to travel with you again someday."

"Langston can kiss my ... well, anyhow, I’m in the clear. I was done for the day. I’m being good. I promise."

"That’s my girl."

"Thanks. I did manage to find really cute outfits for the babies today. They’re little jammies with footsies and they have tiny little kangaroos all over them. I couldn’t pass them up."

I get it. "My Baby Roos."

"Our Baby Roos."

I stand corrected. "Oops, yes, darlin’, our Baby Roos. I miss you three."

"And we miss you. You’ll be home soon. Hey, we’re starting to get back applications for the nanny position. I’m not opening them though. I want to wait until you get home so we can go over them together."

"Oh joy." I don’t want anyone with my kids but us.

"Tabloid, I’m taking a shot in the dark here, but I’m sensing you’re feeling a little depressed at the moment?"

"I don’t like sleeping alone." God, I sound pathetic. What happened to me? I know, I fell in love. Smartest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

"Don’t think of yourself as alone. The babies and I are there with you. We’re just not in the room. Besides, you can always slip my T-shirt, which I know you snuck into your luggage, over a pillow and curl up around it.

"How did you know about -" Hmm. "Does that really work?"

"Oh, you bet it does. How do you think I manage without you when you’re not here?"

Okay, I feel better. "Glad to know it’s not just me. Geez, we come back from a terrific honeymoon and then I have to go away. I can still feel you, you know. It’s like I can reach out and ..."

"Tabloid, I’m on a cell phone in the middle of the park. I’d rather not go there right now. If you want to call me at home in, say, half an hour..."

"Definitely. Get home. Get in bed. Get naked. And I’ll call." Hell, it’s better than nothing.

She laughs. "All right, sweetheart. I’ll talk to you in a half hour."

I glance at my watch. "Twenty-nine minutes and counting."

"I’m hanging up, Tabloid."

Hurry home, baby.

* * *

Kendra and I are having a good breakfast meeting. Kels was right: she’s definitely got fire, almost as much as my girl. No wonder they get along.

I find Kendra to be bright, insightful and very charged up about the story we’re here to do. Another young man has been murdered for being gay. It’s Matthew Shepard all over again. Why do we insist on killing those different from ourselves whether they be gay or black?

Kendra closes her production notebook and proceeds to get very interested in her coffee. "Harper, can I ask you a really personal question?"

"You can always ask." I hate feeling set up. Especially by a reporter; they’re the worst.

"When did you know you were gay?" She looks at me with sincerity.

"Are you asking when did I know I was attracted to girls? Or when did I know I was labeled ‘different’ by the rest of society?"

She smiles a bit, shaking her head. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. I guess that’s kinda like you asking me when did I know I was black, huh?" She looks down at her cup again. "You see, my fifteen year old nephew came out recently and I’m a little freaked out, I guess. I don’t want him to end up like this poor kid."

"Hey, I wasn’t trying to bite your head off, but, to me, those are two different questions. I never was attracted to boys and never thought twice about it. I knew something was up around grade school when other girls were getting their first kisses. From me." I allow her to see one of my more rakish grins. "Why are you freaked out about your nephew?"

She sighs, looking back up, but not at me. She glances out the window, finding the parking lot very interesting. "I don’t know. I’m not homophobic or, at least, I didn’t think I was. I mean, I’ve never done anything to make you or Kelsey uncomfortable, have I? I think it’s because he’s my nephew. I worry about him."

"You’ve not done anything around Kels or me, but we’re pretty hard to make uncomfortable. I’ve been out all my life and Kels just doesn’t give a crap." I think back on the Kelsey Stanton I met less than a year ago. Who knew under that indifferent exterior and Ice Bitch label there was a gentle-hearted woman? "Did he come out voluntarily or was he outed?"

"He came out voluntarily. But my brother and his wife didn’t take it very well."

"What happened?" I lean in, wrapping my hand around my coffee cup. I want her to know we can sit here and talk about this until she’s comfortable and has the answers she’s looking for.

"I wasn’t there, but from what I understand he tried to have a calm, rational discussion with his parents. They had always told him he could talk to them about anything. But when he told them this, I guess my sister-in-law left the room in tears and my brother blew up. He proceeded to use every unkind word in the English language he could think of."

"That could have gone better," I say mildly. I’m not in any position to judge her family. I don’t even know them. "Where’s your nephew at now?" Gay teenagers have the highest suicide rates in the country, mostly from situations exactly like this. I hope the kid is all right.

"No kidding. He’s staying with some friends. As you probably guessed, my brother threw him out."

"I’m sorry to hear that." I can’t even imagine my parents doing that to me. "Can you take him in?"

"I can. And I want to, but it’ll mean war with most of the rest of my family."

I shrug. "Guess it’s time to choose sides. Look, I don’t know a thing about your family or the history there. But, I do know that I was saved a lot of crap because my parents and my brothers have never once treated me differently because I am gay. Doesn’t matter who you are, unconditional love means everything. Kendra, you have a fifteen year old nephew who’s trying to make his way in the world. Would you rather he have someone in his corner, or should he face it alone because you might catch some shit over helping him?"

She finally looks at me. "Okay, I get your point and, no, I don’t want him to be alone. I don’t want him to be another statistic. I’ve got to tell you, though, I don’t have a clue how to deal with it. I’m scared senseless."

"About what?" It’s funny. People seem to think that raising a gay teen is harder than a straight one. Kids are pretty consistent; they need love, boundaries and help with their homework. Yes, there will be some additional shit because of who he wants to date. But, each kid gets beat up for their own reasons -- some because they’re ugly, others because they’re pricks, others because they’re smart asses.

"Oh, I don’t know," she sighs. "Becoming an instant parent to a gay teen. Harper, I don’t know how to help him other than to let him know I won’t judge him for who he is. He’s a good boy. He’s not in with the gangs and he doesn’t do drugs. He gets good grades and he tries really hard. But this can’t be easy for him and I don’t know how to make it better."

"Take him home, love him and get the rest of the family to start talking. Don’t let it overwhelm you, Kendra. Gay teens really aren’t all that much different from straight. All of them are completely insane," I tease. Now that I’m about to be a parent, I am a fount of wisdom about raising kids. Go figure. "It’ll be all right. He’s got a great aunt."

She catches a tear in the corner of her eye. "Thanks, Harper. I appreciate it. I may, from time to time, be sticking my head in your door for a little pep talk."

"Fair enough. Bring him down to the studio. He can spend the day with me sometime."

Now she’s laughing. "I dunno about that. Gay or not, he seems to have a huge crush on Kelsey. You won’t kill him, will you?"

"Nah, he’s your nephew, I won’t kill him. I might scare him a little bit." I crack my knuckles to make my point.

"I think he’d pass out if Kelsey got within ten feet of him." She lays her hand on my arm. "Thanks again. You’ve been a huge help. Now, let’s go get these interviews and see if we can get some justice for this boy and his family?"

"Sounds like a plan."

As we gather up our things, I can’t help but wonder what it is about my wife that attracts gay men to her like bees to honey.

* * *

That night, after I hang up with Kels, my cell phone rings. A glance at the panel confirms it my brother Lucien. I’m sure this is good news. He’s your brother, Kingsley, suck it up and bear it. "Hi, Luc."

"Even with Caller ID you still answered?" he asks.

"Of course. What’s up?" Please don’t let this be another fight. I’m tired and cranky and lonely. I’ll have him for lunch at this rate.

"I was drunk. I was out of line."

Well, I’ll be damned. "Yeah, you were."

There’s a long, awkward silence. "That’s all."

I sigh and stretch out on the bed. "It’s hardly all, Lucien. You’ve been after my ass ever since I asked you boys for some help. You mind telling me what I did to piss you off?"

"You have to ask?"

I sigh. Been there, done that, literally. "I don’t get it, Luc. You knew about Rachel and me before you even asked her out. Why is it a big fuckin’ deal now?"

"Because it is."

"Jesus, Luc, that’s hardly an answer." Counting to ten. One. Two. Three. Four. Ah, hell. "Why am I suddenly a threat to your manhood?"

"You don’t know?" he asks, his tone bitter.

"No, Luc, that’s why I’m asking. So, why don’t you tell me and we’ll stop playing twenty questions?"

"I thought the lab would have told you."

"Apparently not."

We sit in silence and I think about all the minutes he’s using up on my calling plan. Oh well, at least it’s on the network’s dime. "Well, little sis, let’s just say you’ve managed to do what I can’t do."

Huh? Oh. Shit. "Luc, I’m sorry." I am. That’s gotta be rough. "Does Rachel know?"

"What? That I am the lone Kingsley who shoots blanks? That even my sister can get her girlfriend pregnant but I can’t? Yeah, that’s something I like people to know."

Men. "She’s your wife, Luc. She’s not ‘people.’ You need to tell her. It’s only fair to let her know."

"Fair to her?"

"Yes, fair to her. So she doesn’t think it’s her fault."

"Oh, it’s okay if it’s mine, but not hers?" he sneers.

"Jesus, Lucien, it is your fault." I instantly regret those words. "Sorry. It’s no one’s fault. It sucks all around. And I’m sorry for you. I know you both want kids." Try to smooth this over, Kingsley. "I know you’d be a great father."

"We’ll never know now, will we?"

"What are you talking about?" Men are exasperating sometimes.

"Hello, Harper? Have you been on the phone the last few minutes? I can’t get Rachel pregnant. I can’t get any woman pregnant."

"I don’t know if you noticed, Luc, but I certainly can’t either."

"You have an excuse."

This is true. "So do you. And you have three brothers to tap on the shoulder. Or you can use a sperm bank. Or you can adopt. There are a lot of options these days."

"Whatever."

Okay. Perhaps this won’t get settled in one phone call.

He laughs uncomfortably. "What if Rachel wants to go back to being with women now?"

"My God, Lucien. No wonder you’re a mess. Try having one personal crisis at a time. And you need to give Rachel a little more credit than that. She didn’t dump me for you because she saw you as a sperm donor." Actually, Rachel didn’t dump me, but there’s no real need to split hairs right now. "She fell in love with you. She’s stayed with you. Now, why the hell are you talking to me when you should be talking to her?"

"Will you tell Kelsey I’m sorry?"

Ah ah ah … "No. But I’ll tell her to go easy on you when you do apologize."

"Fair enough. Later, Harper."

"Later, Luc. Good luck, chér."

* * *

I get back to my office from doing yet another thrilling story. This one had all the charm of a basket of poisonous snakes. And I got to spend the end of my day with the segment producer arguing with Jaclyn Daniels over the entire story. I will give the producer credit for holding his own with her.

The issue was over who had final say on the piece. Jac claimed she did, because she was assigned studio pieces this month. The producer pointed out Harper would have final say over this piece because I did it and Harper is my producer.

This did not make Jac happy. I’m pretty sure she used it as an excuse to go out and have a liquid lunch. Like she needs an excuse. Getting up in the morning is an excuse for her to have a drink.

Okay, I’m taking a deep breath, retracting claws and being a good little correspondent. Harper would be so proud.

I check my email. Oh good, my darling spouse didn’t forget me this morning. She called and spoke to the twins, but had to hurry off for some meetings. I missed talking to her. Just as I’m about to read what she had to say, my intercom buzzes. I click on the email and pick up the receiver. "Yeah, Brian, what’s up?"

"Do you know someone named Katherine Stanton?"

Oh God! I drop my head. "Yes. Why? I don’t suppose someone pushed her under a subway train?" Kels, be nice. Besides, you know your mother wouldn’t be caught dead in the subway.

"No," Brian gives me a nervous chuckle. "She’s in the lobby asking to come up and see you."

Aww hell. Better here than at my home, I suppose. "All right. It’s my mother. Have them send her up."

"You don’t sound happy about it."

"I’m not, but send her up anyhow. And put on a parka before she gets here so you don’t freeze to death."

He mock shivers loudly. "All right, boss. Should I make tea?"

"Please. Herbal for me. Hemlock for Mother."

I can hear him laughing from outside the door, so I’m not surprised when my phone simply goes dead. I glance over at the new pictures of Harper and me which decorate my bookcase. Wedding pictures. Those should do her in for sure, especially the one of the kiss. I should position it just so …

Please God, give me time to read this email before she gets here.

"Good morning, babe,

"Day Two. Morning broke, but I swear it wasn’t my fault. I only knocked over the lamp last night when we ... oh wait, this is company email ... when we discussed your latest piece. In fact, I like several of your pieces very much. Very, very, much. I hope to see them again soon, in fact. It may take repeated viewings for me to fully appreciate them, so I hope you don’t mind.

"Seriously, you are constantly in my thoughts. I love you and will call in time for dinner. Tell the twins ‘hi’ for me."

I hit reply.

"Hi, sweetheart,

"Miss you too. Love you too. But I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.

"Hope you’re at least trying to have a good time. I am. If you believe that, I have a certain New York bridge I’ll sell you. Although, it was interesting to watch Jac’s executive assistant pour her into her office this afternoon.

"Funny, I get punished for trying to be a good mother and she’s so hammered she can barely stand up. Does she have dirt on Langston or something?

"Oh well, it doesn’t matter.

"I definitely look forward to your call tonight, honey. I’ll be in the same place. Try to take it easy on the furniture.

"Now, however, I get to deal with your mother-in-law. Wow! How cool is that? I can pawn her off on you, make myself feel better, and you don’t even have to be here to put up with her.

"Love you, talk to you tonight, babe."

I hit send. Life is good. Then there’s a knock on my door. Okay, now it’s not so good, but I can survive this too. "Come in!" I lean back in my chair and watch her come through the door. She doesn’t look any more pleasant than she did last time I saw her.

"Kelsey." She nods.

"Mother." I nod back. "Have a seat." I gesture to my couch.

"Thank you."

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" I swivel in my chair to face her.

"Kelsey," Mother removes her gloves and lays them in her lap. She is the last woman in New York to wear white gloves in the summer. "Have you made up with your father?"

"None of your business."

Brian enters quietly and deposits the tea tray on the table in front of mother. He gives her a quick look, then exits quickly. I’m surprised he didn’t turn to stone.

When I get up from behind my desk, for a moment she looks like she’s having a heart attack. No such luck, however.

"Kelsey! You’re pregnant!"

"No! Really?" I glance down at my stomach. "Is that what they call it? Thank God, I thought I was just gaining weight for no apparent reason."

"How in the hell did that happen? You’re still sleeping with that what’s her name, aren’t you?"

Is she purposely trying to piss me off? Of course she is. "Her name is Harper. Yes, I’m sleeping with her. As a matter of fact, I’m doing everything with her these days since we were married two weeks ago. As for how I got pregnant, Mother, I’d tell you but you’d never understand it. I’m not even going to try. I think that’s only fair, since you never bothered to explain a goddamned thing to me growing up."

"Kelsey Diane! How dare you speak to me like that. I am still your mother."

"Oh please." I’m really, truly annoyed now. "Do you have a purpose for this visit? Or can you leave now and save us both the trouble of needing medication for a headache later?"

She stands, glaring at me. "I’m not leaving here until I get some answers. Some issues have come up between your father and I recently and I think you’re responsible for his actions."

"Oh well, guess what?" I move back behind my desk. "I have no desire to discuss him or anything else with you." I lift the receiver, never taking my eyes from her. "Brian, call security. My mother is leaving and I want her escorted from the building." I replace the receiver and lean on my desk. "Goodbye, Mother."

There’s a knock on my door. Damn, that was fast.

"Come in."

I’m more than a little shocked when Langston enters my office. He looks at my mother, then turns to me. "Is everything all right, Kelsey?" He jams his hands in his pockets and leans against the door frame. I can tell he’s not looking for an introduction and I don’t offer one.

"Everything in fine, sir. My mother was just leaving."

"Hmm, okay. I wanted to stop by and let you know you did a nice job on that piece today." He continues to stand there. Two security officers stick their heads in my office and he gives a quick pointing motion to my mother. "Gentlemen, would you please see Mrs. Stanton down to the lobby?"

She gives me a final glare as they enter my office. A moment later, the three of them are gone and I finally look over at him. I don’t need him any more upset with me than he already is. "I’m sorry about that."

"No problem." He straightens up from his leaning position. "You did do a good job on that piece today. I didn’t think anyone could salvage that one. Nicely done." And with that, he too leaves my office.

I sit down and take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Well, I’ll be damned.

* * *

"How did things go with your mother today?" I hold the receiver between my ear and shoulder as I unpack the McDonalds bag.

"Big Mac or Whopper?" Kels chuckles. I hear real silverware clinking on a plate at her end.

"Big Mac." I pop a fry in my mouth. "Chicken or vegetable stir fry?" She thinks she knows me so well.

"Lasagna actually."

"Really? Kels, I’m shocked. Pasta and beef in the same night?" I settle down at the small table in my hotel room and stare out the window, watching the sun go down and simply listening to her breathe.

"Yeah, I know," she sighs, "but I just had to have it, you know?"

"Well, at least it’s not hot mustard and pickles."

"Shh, don’t give them any ideas. So far my cravings are pretty normal."

"Chinese at three a.m. in Paris is not normal." It took me hours to get that for her. Hours we could have spent doing better things.

"It’s not my fault we were in Paris. If we had been in New York, or at home, it wouldn’t have been a problem."

I smile when I realize she’s making a distinction between New York and New Orleans, and New Orleans is home. Sweet music to my ears. "This is true," I concede and chomp down another fry. "But it was fun."

"It was very fun. Will you take me back there after we’ve been married for fifty years, Tabloid?"

"Will you hold onto me like you did when we walked down the street?"

She laughs in my ear. "I’ll be eighty-three, I’ll have to."

"As long as we’re walking together, that’s all that matters."

I hear her get up and move to the kitchen, rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. God, I can see it all so clearly. I wish I was home.

"Tabloid?" Her tone is very melancholy. I hate it when she sounds like this on the phone. All I want is to hold her and I can’t even see her.

"Yeah, chér?"

"What kind of mother am I gonna be?"

Oh boy. Well, that answers my question about how things went with her mother. "You are going to be a great mom."

"You think?"

"Sweetheart, I know."

"I don’t want to be like her, Harper. Promise me you won’t let me."

"Honey, there is no way in a million years you could ever behave like that. Our babies are so lucky to have you loving them. You’re already a thousand times the mother she is and they’re not even here yet."

"Why did she hate me, Tabloid? What did I do to her?" Damn, I know she crying. I can hear it in her voice.

"Sweetheart, you didn’t do anything. She didn’t want to be a mother, but she was married at a time when a woman was expected to be one."

I hear her laugh softly and settle in somewhere. "Funny. In a day and age where it’s okay for women to try and be everything, I think I want to get out to be a wife and mother."

I listen to her shift again, giving a low groan. "You okay?"

"Hmm, my back is killing me."

"Sorry I can’t be there to rub it." Among other body parts.

"I’ll put it on your tab."

"You do that. Add interest if you like." I take a deep breath before posing my next question. "Kels, what are you going to do when our contracts come up for negotiation?"

"I dunno, Tabloid," she sighs. "I love my job. You know that, but…" she stops. "Can we talk about this later? We won’t have to worry about this for a while yet."

"Sure." Yeah, right, I won’t worry about it until later.

"Thanks." She pauses, I assume collecting herself, and comes back to me, her tone lighter and more like my Little Roo. "So, what are you wearing?"

"Nothing," I lie, but if she wants to go there it can be true in 1.7 seconds.

"You’re eating in the nude?"

"Absolutely," I tease. " I’m hoping you’ll give me a whole new meaning for Happy Meal."

I can almost hear her rolling her eyes before she says anything to me. "Yeah, right, you say that now. What will we do when we go home and end up taking Christian and Clark to MickeyD’s and ordering them? No, Tabloid, to be on the safe side, I suggest we don’t go there."

"All right, sweetheart. Hey, when is your next appointment with Doogie?"

"I see him in two weeks. I have an appointment right before we go home."

"Oh good! More baby pictures for me to show Mama."

"Mama, Papa, Robie," Kels laughs, "strangers on the street who will stand still long enough for you to get them out."

"Can I help it if I’m a proud Mama?"

"You’re silly. That’s what you are."

"My right."

"Of course it is and I love you for it."

* * *

"Brian?" I can tell immediately something is wrong when he enters my office. His perky, chipper demeanor is gone, replaced by slumped shoulders and an expression that can only be described as devastated. "What’s wrong?"

"I need to know if I can take the day off Tuesday?" His request is soft.

I move to him, pulling him inside my office and closing the door. I take him over and sit him down on the couch, joining him there. "What’s wrong?"

"I need to go to a funeral. A friend of mine passed away today."

"I’m sorry." I take his hand, holding it firmly. "What happened?"

He lets out a frustrated breath that sound like a soft laugh, but I know it’s not. "AIDS. Something that’s happened to thousands before him."

Jesus, it never ends. No matter what the doctors and the scientists want us to think and believe. Yeah, they’ve made a lot of advancements, but everyday, somewhere, someone is still burying a person they love. "Brian, I’m so sorry."

He nods. "We knew it was coming, ya know? You always know, but you never expect it." Tears fall as he shakes his head. "And it never keeps from tearing you up inside."

"I know." I pull him back into the couch with me, wrapping my arms around him. I let my friend cry himself out on my shoulder. "I’m so sorry. If there’s anything I can do, let me know."

"Thanks, Kelsey. You’re a good friend."

"So are you, and I don’t intend to let you go anywhere."

* * *

I look at the dinner table. Candles, soft light, soft music; it’s a very romantic setting. God, it’s been a long week. I’m glad she’s coming home. I’ve missed her and Kam is downright depressed that his chew toy has been away for so long.

We have a nice clear weekend for us to relax. Once in bed, I don’t see getting out again until it’s time to go back to work on Monday. All I want is to spent a quiet two days at home, resting against Harper and maybe taking the time to do The Times’ crossword. Maybe.

I hear Kam’s toenails scratching the floor, scrambling for the front door. Glancing at my watch, I see it’s time for her to be coming through the door. When she says seven o’clock, she means seven o’clock.

I’m going to give Kam a moment alone with her or he might turn on me.

Once I see my furry little bodyguard heads for his spot in the family room, I start moving through the apartment. I lean against the doorway of the kitchen, looking down the foyer. "Hi ya, Stud."

She looks up from hanging up her jacket. "Please tell me there is no one else in this apartment but you, me, the babies, and the dog."

"That pretty much sums it up." I nod. "We’re all alone. I fixed dinner," I gesture behind me, toward the dining room. "You hungry?"

She smiles, moving slowly towards me. "Are you trying to domesticate me, Little Roo?"

"Not at all. I merely thought you might be hungry. It could be your last chance for food for the next," I glance at my watch again, "fifty-eight hours or so."

She wraps her arm around my waist and we head for the dining room. "Since you and the Baby Roos took the time to fix dinner, the least I can do is take five minutes to eat it."

"How kind of you." I lean in hard against her, loving the feel of having her close to me again. "I missed you."

She stops and gives me a very long and tender kiss. "I missed you too, chér."

* * *

I watch her sleep. She’s curled up tight against me. Even in the week I’ve been gone I can see more changes in her body. God, she’s beautiful. Our babies must be getting bigger by the day. She’s really looking pregnant. Not that I’ll mention that little fact.

Our children.

I wonder, as I rub her stomach like a talisman, what their future holds. Will they have problems because of the choices Kels and I have made? Will someone try to hurt them because of us?

Children, hell, adults, can be cruel. As much as I want to, I know I can’t protect our children from everything. But why should they have to be tormented because of their parentage? Is it really so awful that I am a woman and in love with another woman? I still pay taxes, still love my parents and brothers, still work more hours a week than I should. I’m polite, most of the time, a good neighbor, a friend to many straight people. The only thing different about me is who I make love to. Hardly seems worth beating up my kids for.

Aw, hell! I’m worrying about things that may never happen, especially if we get to move home to New Orleans where they’ll be surrounded by extremely protective grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins galore. Once someone found out who our kids belong to, they wouldn’t dare lay a finger on them. We’re kinda like a New Orleans mafia family, except we are Cajun and don’t do illegal activities. But we do have connections.

Kels shifts in her sleep, poking me so I’ll accommodate her. Even in her sleep, she’s demanding. I kiss her forehead and pull her close, feeling her become a part of me once again.

Welcome to married life, Harper. It’s gonna be a hell of a ride.

<fade out>

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