A Friend in Need

Heathen57

 

 

Chapter 23

 

 

The trip to Italy was coming up soon.  Mandy and Traci were getting their lists of what to take together.  For Greg, it was just a matter of throwing some clothes into a suitcase.  Mandy didn’t agree with his methods and eventually took over his packing as well as for her and Jenni.   The women finally decided that a trip to the mall was in order since their bikinis were out of date and they really needed to replace some tops and shorts.  That was an all-day excursion that Greg managed to avoid.  They did bring back some new clothes for him though, and they insisted that he try them on to make sure they all fit.  That was a small price to pay for getting out of being the pack mule.

 

Even though Greg’s grandfather offered the use of the corporate jet again, they decided to take a commercial flight.  Traci had volunteered to make the arrangements for tickets since she had a friend from the college who was working for a travel agent for the summer.  Her friend was interested in the travel industry and wanted all the experience she could get.  This would give the girl a nice bonus and she would be grateful. 

 

Heather and Adrian stopped by during the week before they were to leave.  After they had shed their jackets, Heather asked them all to come into the living room for an announcement.  She waited for them to settle on the couch while she stood next to her lover in front of the coffee table.  She had all eyes on her while they waited for her to speak.

 

“Adrian and I want to know if you all can extend your vacation for another week.  You will also need to take a late afternoon flight on Friday.”

 

“I’m sure we can,” replied Greg, looking at the other two.   They nodded their assent, and then he turned back to his mother.  “But why?”

 

“Well, I received the finalized divorce papers from your dad and we want to get married on Friday morning at the courthouse.  And we want you all to be there.  Then in two weeks, which is as soon as we both can get away, we want to celebrate it with my father and Adrian’s family.”

 

The two young women shrieked out their happiness for the couple. They both jumped up and hugged first Heather and then Adrian, bouncing in their joy of the upcoming nuptials.   Greg was just a little more sedate, shaking Adrian’s hand vigorously and hugging his mother when he could find a place between Mandy and Traci.

 

“We considered doing the whole ceremony in Italy,” said Adrian.  “But the rules were such that we will do it here first and then even if the ceremony there isn’t recognized as strictly legal, we are still in the clear.”

 

“The Bishop won’t allow a church ceremony there,” added Heather.  “But Mama Randali insisted that we not just honeymoon there, but that we have a full marriage celebration.  She was so happy to hear her son was getting married at last that she has even convinced the mayor of the village to repeat the vows for us.”

 

They all sat down and discussed the upcoming event.  Mandy and Traci started to decide just what dresses they would need, if they could get flowers, and all the other things that Greg figured had to be at a wedding ceremony to make it legal.  He and Adrian left the women to their planning and adjourned to the back deck to have a glass of wine.

 

Adrian told Greg that it had really been his idea to get married, even though they were happy enough as things stood.  He really loved Heather and she him.  Besides, it would make his mother so happy to have her last single son married that it was worth all the hassle.

 

The happy couple left later that night, filled with wine and many congratulations.  The women in Greg’s household now had something else to plan for, but they didn’t seem to mind.  Even after they went to bed, they continued to discuss the plans until Greg got out from between them and moved to the outside.  Then he read a book while waiting for them to wind down from the news.  One thing that did go through his mind was the thought that perhaps he and Mandy should think about getting married before the end of the year.  However, he kept that thought to himself.  This was the time for his mother and Adrian.

 

The following morning,  Mandy awoke feeling sick to her stomach.  She had been feeling bad off and on for a couple of weeks, sick to her stomach and some vomiting. Greg and Traci were both concerned and wanted her to see what was wrong before taking a trip that long.  She called the doctor and found out that they had an appointment open that afternoon.  She left the other two to take care of the final plans, and she took off. 

 

She came in the front door and saw Greg sitting in the living room working on the laptop.  She gave him a hug, but wouldn’t tell him what was wrong until she had called Traci down from their bedroom.  When both of her lovers were sitting on the couch, she took a seat between them.  She took a deep breath and began.

 

“I’ve got a problem.  The doctor says I am about 6 weeks pregnant.”

 

Greg looked shocked.  “You sure?   I mean, I know you must be, but I thought you were still on the pill?”

 

Mandy was almost in tears.  “I think it happened when I was on the antibiotic from that sinus infection.  I figured back and it was probably when we had our naked weekend.  You aren’t mad are you?”

 

Greg pulled her up into a hug.  “I’m not mad at all sweetheart, I’m just shocked.  We have talked about children of our own before, you know.”

 

“Yeah, but I didn’t figure this soon.  What am I going to do about college?  Are you ready to be a dad?”

 

“Well, I think I’ve proven myself ready.  I have been Jenni’s dad ever since she was born.  She is just like my own and this one won’t make me feel any different.”

 

Mandy faced her other lover.  “What do you think, Traci?  Would it upset you that I am pregnant?  I know how you have wanted children of your own.”

 

Traci moved over and hugged her as well.  “I think it is great!  I’ll have another niece or nephew to spoil until I can have one of my own.  Then we can trade spoiling privileges.”

 

Greg broke in.  “Hey, what about the vacation?  Is it alright for you to be flying?”

 

“I asked about that and the doctor said that there would be no problem at all this early in my pregnancy.  He says that I am healthy as a horse and that all the nausea is just morning sickness.  Going by how I carried Jenni, he doesn’t expect any problems at all.”

 

The other two then gave her hugs and let her know just how excited they felt about having another child in the house.  Mandy wanted to call Heather and tell her, but Greg talked her into waiting until they met up in Italy.  Now in addition to the wedding, they would have the news of another grandchild.

 

Friday finally came, though it seemed like it took forever.  Jenni even had caught the excitement and was asking about ‘Papa’..  She didn’t understand weddings of course, but she did like the new dress that her momma had bought for her.  She was toddling around the house getting everyone’s attention and then pointing to her dress and saying ‘pretty Jenni’.

 

They met at the courthouse that morning and proceeded to the judge’s chambers.  Judge O’Donnell looked the part with graying hair and craggy features.  Jenni was taken aback by the black robes and hung onto Greg’s neck during the ceremony.

 

The saying of their vows and signing of the license didn’t take very long.  With kisses and hugs all around, they exited the courthouse and headed their separate ways.  Adrian and Heather had taken a personal day to make a long weekend and were headed to a Bed and Breakfast upstate for the weekend.  The trio headed back to their house to make their final preparations for their flight that afternoon.

 

The airport was crowded when the taxi dropped them off at the terminal.  Carrying their tickets and passports, they found their way to the ticket counter to drop off their luggage and then through security.    They all made it through without a problem although the male guard looked like he wanted to search Traci much more closely.

 

They still had an hour to wait so they browsed the shops and had a coffee before First Class was called to board.  They were all seated in the back of the First Class compartment.  When Greg had told his grandfather that they would fly commercial, he had insisted that they at least go First Class - at his expense.

 

Traci took the seat next to the window with Greg sitting next to her.  Mandy was in the aisle seat across from them with Jenni in the window seat next to her mother.  They had a three hour flight to New York and then nine hours across to Rome.  They would be picked up once again by the village taxi and then to Nick’s villa.  They settled back and prepared to enjoy the flight.

 

Traci was doing better on this flight than she had on the previous ones.  Soon after take off, she had a glass of wine and was actually quite mellow and could even enjoy the dinner they were served.  Jenni was behaving very well; talking quietly to her mother about the books they had packed for her between short naps and being fascinated by the clouds out the window.

 

They had a two-hour layover at JFK International and used the time to look around.  Since they were there, Mandy made a call to Mr. Arborough at the gallery to see how her paintings were selling.  He was very happy to hear from her and asked when he could set up another showing.  She was flattered and promised to talk to him about that when they returned.  He suggested that she might look around Italy and draw some inspiration from that country for another series.  Laughing, she assured him that she had her sketchbook with her.

 

Just about the time that Jenni started to get tired, their flight was called.  They settled in the same positions as before and after the presentation of the flight information in both English and Italian, their flight received permission for takeoff.  They were in the air and on their way across the Atlantic for three weeks of relaxation.

 

The plane was about five hours into the trip and Mandy was asleep leaning over Jenni.  Traci was listening to the in-flight music and nodding off when Greg felt the call of nature and got up to go to the lavatory.

 

As he started to unlock the door, he heard a commotion in the first class cabin.  He opened the door to see a man standing with his back to Greg, pointing a gun at the flight attendant and saying they were going to Syria.  He heard Greg come up and spun around to point the gun at him.  Greg reacted without thinking, grabbing the man’s arm and snapped his elbow, causing him to drop the pistol, screaming in pain.  An instant later, Greg’s elbow was smashing the gunman in the face, putting him out for the count.

 

They heard two shots from the business class and the plane’s cabin lost pressure.  There was a lot of noise and the plane went into a steep dive.  The emergency oxygen masks dropped from the overhead compartments.  Greg struggled to keep his balance and finally fell on top of the unconscious hijacker.  The attendant helped him up as soon as the plane leveled off and then got on the intercom to tell the pilot what happened.  Peeking through the curtains before he sat down, Greg saw two men in military haircuts and large builds holding down another man in the aisle.

 

Mandy was very white and shaking and Jenni was crying and fighting the mask that her mother was holding over her face.  Greg forced another mask over Mandy’s face.  He was worried about the sudden loss of oxygen on the baby she was carrying.  She nodded to him that everything was under control.  Traci had tears coming down her cheeks and grabbed Greg in a huge hug as soon as he sat down.  The pilot came on and assured the passengers that things were under control but they had declared an emergency and were going to land in Paris instead of Rome, since it was the closest that could take the jet.  As procedure required, he put on the seatbelt signs, and dropped to below ten thousand feet in altitude.

 

They were still an hour out of Paris when the man in first class woke up.  He found himself bound tightly with ties borrowed from a couple of the male passengers. His right arm was broken at the elbow and the way they had his arms bound, he was in a lot of pain.  He tried to start yelling; so another man gagged him with a cocktail napkin. There was no sympathy for him at all.  When Greg looked through the curtain he saw that the other man had been trussed up as well and was occupying a seat surrounded by some of the largest men on the plane. 

 

Greg had just acted on instinct and his training.  After he thought about what had happened, he began to shake in reaction.  He could have lost his life.  But he reasoned, there hadn’t been any time to think about what was going on.  He had seen the gun and reacted.  The real ‘heroes’, if there were any in this situation, were the two in the back who had made the conscious decision to take action.

 

They all heard the change in the sound of the jet engines, and Greg leaned over Traci to see that they were on the final approach to the runway.  As they got closer, he could see the emergency vehicles waiting along the runway and near the taxi area.  The attendants had told them about emergency landing procedures earlier, and they all tucked their heads down in the prescribed position.

 

The plane touched down with no problems and rolled to a stop close to the end of the runway.  Fire and emergency vehicles along with police cars immediately surrounded them.  Everyone was instructed to stay in his or her seats and await further instructions.  Police and airport security boarded and, after a quick rundown from the attendants, took the two gunmen into custody.  Then all the other passengers were taken to a holding area to be debriefed.

 

The passengers all made the same statements.  Many were dozing off to sleep when a man came back from the lavatory.  He stopped to talk to the man in the seat next to his and then they both stood up.  One walked into First Class and the other one started to the back of Business Class.  They had heard the man up front yell something then scream in pain.  The one in Business Class turned to go see what happened, and two men wrestled him to the ground.  He got off two shots that when through the skin of the plane before they got the gun away from him.  The plane lost pressure and the pilot dropped the plane to a safe altitude.

 

Greg and the other two men were taken to a different room and debriefed in more detail.  They all told their stories first to the local police then to Interpol, and finally to the US State department liaison who was at the Consulate.  Then they had to meet the international press.  The other two men, Sgt. Michael Corlis and Sgt. James O’Malley of the Marine Corps were just as shocked as Greg had been at what they had done.  All three didn’t consider what they had done really that heroic, even though the press was painting them as such.

 

While Greg was being interviewed, Mandy had placed a call to Nick Scheffield, Greg’s grandfather to let him know what had happened and to assure him that they were all right.  He insisted on sending the corporate jet to pick them up and it would be waiting when they were allowed to leave.

 

They were finally allowed to leave after written statements were signed and every agency was satisfied.  The airline had transferred their luggage to the private jet and they boarded with a sense of relief.  Captain Wilson was once again the pilot and he greeted them all as they came through the hatch.  As soon as they had clearance, Captain Wilson opened the throttle and they were in the air.  Greg looked out to see the plane they had just been on still surrounded by vehicles.  He was glad to be away from all the confusion and on his way to peace and quiet.

 

The women were still upset but he hoped they would calm down after they were under way..  The bar was stocked and Greg made drinks for them all.  They calmed down by degrees and were able to discuss the incident without tears by the time they made it to Rome.

 

The taxi was waiting for them on the private tarmac so they avoided the crowds that might have recognized him.  The way the reporters had mobbed them in Paris, it was a sure thing that Greg’s face would be plastered all over the news channels.  The cab was soon through the traffic and they were on their way to the villa.

 

Nick and his housekeeper, Teresa, greeted them at the Villa.  Nick was very glad to once again see his grandson and his family.  He was still puzzled about just how their relationship worked but couldn’t really hold it against them.  His generation had been raised in a different time and with different rules imposed on them.  Very privately, he envied Greg just a bit for being able to have two such beautiful and sexy women be that devoted to him.  Of course, he recognized that Greg returned the devotion to both of them and then some.  He had never been that much in love in his life and only wished that it could have been.

 

Both women gave the old man a series of hugs and kisses on the cheek, enough to leave him more excited than he would ever admit to.  Then Jenni was holding out her chubby little arms, her fists clenching, trying to have her turn.  Her shouts of  “Papa!  Papa!” gave Nick a very warm feeling.  He had, by his own violation, missed having the affection from his own children and to an extent his only grandson.  To have this little angel so anxious to be held by him made him feel redeemed.

 

The group was soon unpacked, taking up residence in the rooms that they had occupied before.  When they came down, Teresa had a tray of local cheeses and ham along with a bottle of fine wine.  They all sat down and started to snack while telling Nick about the trip.  When they finished, he was proud of his grandson, but he also felt a fear for their lives.

 

“While I know that you are able to take care of yourselves, I must ask that you no longer fly commercial.  You know Greg that my company has vast holdings.  We have several corporate jets at our disposal, and their use is at my whim.  By tomorrow, you will be on the list to use whichever plane is in your area.  Just give your name and they will be there to take you wherever you need to go.”

 

Greg tried to tell him that wasn’t necessary but Nick was adamant about it.  It meant a lot to be able to do this for his grandson and his family, and Greg finally relented.  He promised not to abuse the privilege and Nick brushed that off saying that he knew they were all mature enough not to do so.

 

The television was on and when the attempted hijacking came on, they all turned to watch.  The reporter stated that it had been the result of just a couple of fanatics who were on drugs of some kind when they tried it.  The guns had been traced to an accomplice in New York’s airport service section.  The third man had planted them in the lavatory after the plane had been checked.  It had also been determined that they were not part of any group from the Middle East, but just a few crazed individuals looking to make a name for themselves. 

 

Greg’s picture was splashed on the screen along with the other two men who had foiled the hijacker’s plans.  The publicity wasn’t something that Greg was looking forward to, but he realized that he couldn’t get away from it.  At least he could hide out in the Villa since they had managed to slip out without anyone knowing where they were going after they arrived in Rome.

 

The girls, along with Nick, then had to tease him about being a hero.  Greg tried to blow it off, but he did feel proud that he had helped in stopping the hijacker’s plans.  He just wanted to forget it all, especially the afterthoughts of what his actions could have caused.  That part scared him more than anything.

 

The topics changed then to catching up on each other’s lives.  Of course the next thing was to tell Nick that he was going to be a Great-Grandfather.  This news made him very happy and he had tears in the corner of his eyes as Mandy gave him a hug.  Mandy’s eyes were damp when Nick told them all that he was already a Great-Grandfather with Jenni because he felt that she was already a part of the family.

 

Teresa was very happy as well.  She found Jenni to be a joy to have around and treated her just like she did her own grandchildren, so she was looking forward to having another one to enjoy.  In her broken English, she made Greg and Mandy promise to bring the baby there as soon as he or she could fly safely.  She wanted to show him or her off to the village women when they gathered at the market like she did with Jenni.

 

There was a frantic phone call from Heather, checking to see if they were really all right.  She had seen the incident on the news and had heard Greg’s name mentioned as one of the men who foiled the hijacking.  She was proud but at the same time furious with him for risking his life.  It took a while to calm her down, and Nick told her that a corporate jet would be waiting for them so they wouldn’t have any problems.

 

They called an early night that night since all the excitement had tired them out.  Morning would be several hours earlier than they were used to and they planned to enjoy their vacation as much as they could.

 

The next morning started a pattern that held for the rest of their stay.  They would get up and have a light breakfast and the women would either lounge around or go with Teresa to the village, while Greg spent time helping his grandfather with business before he went out to the courtyard to relax.

 

Greg was surprised at how often his grandfather would ask his opinion on a job or an investment, and then follow it up with asking his reasoning.  He would explain why he thought one way or another and then Nick would follow his advice or explain just why he didn’t.  In this way, Greg was getting a crash course in what it took to run a multinational corporation. 

 

Nick was getting something in return.  He found a new perspective in the way that Greg thought and had someone who would argue a point instead of just saying what they thought he wanted to hear.  Many of Greg’s ideas were sound and he ended up by the end of their vacation making quite a bit of money for the company.

 

Nick did take some time off several afternoons to spend time with his family.  They would go for rides through the countryside, meeting the residents and enjoying their hospitality.  One day was spent going to a vineyard where they all tasted different wines (with Mandy just taking a sip of Greg’s glass) and Nick placing an order for several cases for him and making arrangements to have a couple more shipped to Greg’s house in the US.  They attended a festival in the local village, dancing and eating with all the villagers.  Nick usually did not leave the villa except for special occasions, so it was good for him to get out as well as giving the trio a taste of the local lifestyle.

 

But most of the time was spent just enjoying each other’s company.  Nick had a special place in his heart for all of them and really enjoyed hearing about what they had been doing since they had last seen each other.  Greg was surprised at the change in his grandfather from his early memories of a man who was so obsessed with his work that he ignored anything that didn’t make money.  Whether it was his Grandmother passing away that did it, or getting to know him and his family, it really was a change for the good.  And it seemed to be a permanent change of heart.  When Nick himself likened the change to Scrooge in the Dickens tale, they all had a laugh about it.  But the similarities were hauntingly true.

 

They had been at the Villa for about a week when the first reporter tracked them down.  Teresa answered the door and as soon as she saw the microphones and cameras, slammed the door shut and went for her boss.

 

Nick came out and when he found out what they wanted, he told them that he would talk to Greg and see if he wanted to meet with them.  He called Greg and the girls in from the back and explained what was happening.  Greg was reluctant to talk to them but Nick gave him some advice based on experience.

 

“When the press gets on to a story, they will never let up.  Even though you haven’t been paying attention, I’ve caught the news on this and the US government is playing this whole thing up and portraying you and the others as heroes.  The military is protecting the other two so you are the only one they can get at.

 

“Your best bet will be to meet them head-on, answer what they ask and stay honest with them.  Eventually something else will come along and they will leave you alone.  But if you continue to avoid them, they will continue to hound you.  If you come off as friendly and cooperative, they will treat you much better.  I’ve had to do this a few times and trust me, it works, at least most of the time.”

 

While Nick went to the door and checked to see who they were with, Greg changed from his swimwear and went into the living room to get ready.  The reporter came in and introduced himself.  He said he was with CNN and what he really wanted was to get Greg’s version of the story and just who he was.  The man was polite and only requested that Mandy and Traci be included.  “Two beautiful women are always a plus on a news story.”

 

The crew got the lights and cameras set with Greg between the two girls on the couch and the reporter in a chair across from them.  With the tape rolling, Greg explained that he really didn’t think about anything that was happening at the time.  He just saw a gun and reacted.  He didn’t think until later about what could have happened.  He also explained he was more worried about his fiancée’ than anything else because she is pregnant.  This brought a grateful smile and some embarrassment from Mandy.

 

The reporter then asked Mandy about her reactions during that time.  She told the man that she had been asleep next to her daughter when she heard the hijacker yelling.  She looked up in time to see Greg disarm the man and then she heard the shots behind her, and then the whole cabin went into chaos.  The plane went into a dive and the masks came down.  She was so busy taking care of her daughter that she didn’t have time to think about anything else.

 

Traci made a couple of comments but didn’t have much more to add.  The reporter then shut down the tape and took some notes on their background, their reasons for being on the flight, and a few other tidbits of information.  Greg did ask that the press let him enjoy their vacation and that when they returned to the States, he would be happy to answer any other questions.  The reporter promised to keep their location secret, though he couldn’t guarantee that the other news outlets wouldn’t find them.  He would put the word out that they all would cooperate when they returned home.  He was very glad to get an exclusive interview and promised to treat them well.

 

As soon as the crew had gone, the whole family gave a sigh of relief.  Nick hinted that Greg had better get used to being in the spotlight if he became a top executive someday.  Mandy was relieved that Teresa had kept Jenni in the kitchen with her and that they hadn’t asked to have her on camera.  That was one request that she would have denied.  Jenni wouldn’t have understood what was happening, and she really didn’t need to have her face spread all over the news.

 

When the piece played the next night, the whole family was pleasantly surprised that the reporter had mostly kept his word.  First, he gave some background on Greg, that he was engaged and attended the college in his hometown.  He told that he had an extensive background in martial arts and that was what ‘kicked’ in when he was confronted.  Then they ran the taped interview.

 

The final comments by the reporter gave the impression that Greg didn’t want to be considered some hero even though he was.  The family was just a normal family that happened to be in an extraordinary situation.  All in all, the piece treated them all fairly and they decided that they could not ask for more than that.

 

About fifteen minutes after the story completed, the phone at the villa rang.  Teresa answered the phone and called Mandy over. “You little brat!!” yelled Heather over the line.  “Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?  Congratulations!!!” 

 

Mandy started laughing.  ‘We were going to tell you when you got over here, but the  damn reporter blew our surprise for you guys.”  Then she turned serious.  “You aren’t upset that we are having a baby, are you?  It wasn’t like we were planning this or anything.  My birth control failed and…”

 

Heather cut her off.  “Don’t worry about that!  You are both adults now and sometimes things like that happen.  Adrian and I are both delirious  that you are pregnant.  You know how much we love Jenni.  And now you are going to have another one that we can spoil and love.  Tell that son of mine congratulations from us as well.  And we will be seeing you all very soon.”

 

The phone call ended soon after that and Mandy came back into the living room.  Picking up Greg’s hand in hers, she looked him in the eyes.  “Your mother was calling to complain that we didn’t tell her yet that we were pregnant.  I think she was a little upset to find it out on the news, but I explained that we wanted to surprise them when they got over here.  She said to tell you congratulations, but I’m extending it to all three of us.”

 

Tracey grinned over at the other two.  “Why do I get the feeling that when we get home that there will be another shopping marathon devised by Heather for her new grandbaby?”

 

“If she doesn’t buy out the stores here in Italy before we can get home.”, was Mandy’s reply.

 

The rest of the time until the wedding passed smoothly with the exception of some photographers trying to snap pictures of any of the family.  The idea that Mandy was pregnant and the wondering about just how Traci fit in the picture became fodder for the tabloids.  The fact that both women looked great in pictures didn’t help matters.

 

The local village, which had adopted the family, did what they could to help them out.  Any reporter that asked for directions was met with silent stares.  More creative townspeople sent them on a wild goose chase in the opposite direction.  Mandy and Traci would be moved into a shop or home when a photographer was in the village.  In return, the trio would help the villagers with whatever needed to be done.  Mandy also did sketches and portraits for anyone who asked.  Their cooperation brought them closer to the people and before their vacation was over, they were considered members of the village.

 

Heather and Adrian arrived for the wedding celebration in his home village at the end of the second week of the trio’s stay.  Mama Randali was preparing a feast to end all feasts, and the people in her community were gearing up for the party.  According to custom, Adrian stayed at his mother’s farm while Heather was at the Villa.  Heather’s dress was being made by one of the village women, as well as those of Mandy and Traci.  Nick had to have his tuxedo let out a bit, and Greg had to go to Rome to buy one.  Even Jenni had a dress made by another of the women who thought she should be in the bridal party.

 

The excitement reached a fever pitch the day of the celebration.  There was a mad scramble to get everyone into the limo that Nick had hired and to get to Village Square where the celebration was set.

 

The ceremony was beautiful.  Jenni was the flower girl and she did well making her way up the aisle, pausing every once in a while to drop a handful of petals on the walkway.  She was very careful about her duties until she spotted Mandy at the arbor, then she broke into a run to get a hug for doing what she had practiced so hard to do.

 

Heather looked ravishing in the gown that she had selected.  It did not have the long train that many brides preferred, but it was a cream colored creation that left no question who was the person of the hour.  Nick insisted that he get to walk her down the aisle this time since he had missed the chance at her first wedding.  He was beaming with pride when he placed her hand into Adrian’s and turned back to his place.

 

Since the Church wouldn’t sanction the wedding, the Mayor of the village did the ceremony for the couple’s second time.  There were many damp eyes in the crowd for Adrian had been a popular and very likeable man in the village before he had left for the United States.  Mama Randali wept copiously because her last unattached son was safely married.  Her days of trying to get him married off were finally over and she could finally stop her matchmaking.

 

The tables were laden with all the delights that anyone could expect at an Italian wedding feast.  The women in the village had all contributed, each one trying to outdo the other in the making of sauces, meats, and treats.  There was much dancing and wine and laughter.  Greg had a dance with his mother as did Nick.  Adrian took both Traci and Mandy for a turn during the faster numbers.  Traci was also mobbed with young men of the village eager to get a dance with the tall and sexy woman.  Mandy was asked a few times, but since she was known to be engaged to Greg, the men were more cautious about asking.  Greg told her to enjoy herself, and he took a few of the young girls of the village for a dance, which thrilled them to no end.

 

The only problem happened when a couple of photographers who had caught wind of the lifestyle of the ‘hero of flight 742’ decided they wanted some pictures for the tabloids.  Adrian’s brothers, acting very much the role of Mafia hit men, escorted the lensmen out of the square and stood guard at the entrance to the village.  They made quite an intimidating pair dressed in black suits with sunglasses.  The photographers thought better of trying to cause problems and left to lie in wait elsewhere.

 

It was very late in the evening when Nick and his family left to go back to the Villa.  Adrian and Heather were staying their first night in the Randali house before a few days in Rome and Venice..  Then they would head back home and back to their respective jobs.  Jenni had been a star at the party and was so exhausted she fell asleep on her mother’s lap as soon as the limo started down the road.  All the other occupants of the car were tired and the conversation was low key, talking about how much of a success the whole celebration had been.  Greg did state that he thought his mother was really happy with Adrian.  She had always been more involved in her career than her first marriage, and now she really seemed to have her priorities in a different order.

 

Their vacation ended much quicker than they would have liked.  But they did have to return home and get things ready for the next semester of college.  At the behest of his Grandfather, Greg was looking to take more courses toward the goal of business administration.  Nick was also trying to get him set up to work on more projects for the company, just so he could get some experience in weighing the facts to make the proper decision.

 

The trip to the private tarmac and the jet was a quiet affair.  Jenni was the only one that was really active and she was playing with a doll that ‘Papa Nick’ had given her.  The adults were mostly silent, reliving the high points of their time in Italy and privately wishing that it didn’t have to end. 

 

They were on board a different jet with a new captain, but the flight was as smooth as before.  They spent the time sleeping, reading and talking about different things that had happened during their vacation.  It was late in the evening when they finally landed in their hometown’s airport.  There was a light rain falling giving the air a fresh smell.  They had a short wait for a cab at the terminal after passing through customs.  The monitors around the airport showed that the hijacking and subsequent scramble about them was now old news.  There was a new scandal in the Justice Department that had taken over and that was just fine for the trio.  Now they had other things to think about.

 

Their home was just as they had left it.  The neighbors who had taken care of the house in their absence would probably bring their mail over the next day.  While Mandy got Jenni ready for bed, Greg and Traci made a trip to the store for milk and a couple other items that they would want for the morning.  By the time they were back, Mandy had things locked up and they all headed for bed.  The flight had tired them enough that they were not in the mood for sex, but they all did snuggle up against each other with Mandy in the middle.  After a few kisses and gropes, they settled down to sleep, relishing the warmth and feel of each other and just glad to be in their own bed.

 

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