Copyright 2004 by (the) Night Hawk

Kelly
=====

(Inspired by Mike C, based on characters in his novel: “James”
Characters and situations copyright by Mike C, 2002)

Chapter 19
__________


Todd grinned up at the indignant brunette as she glared around
at the little group.

“Well, hello, Deanna!  Would you like a glass of wine?”

Cara and Ami scrambled for their t-shirts to cover themselves,
but Kelly just smiled while Laura was more concerned by this
hostile female than her bare breasts.

“Do I know you?” asked Deanna, and then was almost rocked off
her heels as she was tackled by a 12 year old.

“Mom!  You came!”

“Anna?”  She wrapped her arms around the thin shoulders and
feeling bare skin, looked down at her daughter.  “Anna Helen
Regan!  Whatever are you doing running around topless?”

“She probably takes after you, Deanna,” said Todd.  “Chuck told
me that you used to be quite fond of skinny dipping.”

“He told you that?” she asked, amazement in her voice.

“He told us a lot about you,” said Kelly.  “It was what he
spoke of the most.  How much he loved you and missed you and how
sorry he was for the way he treated you after the death of your
mother.”

Deanna slowly slid down to the deck still clutching Anna.

“Would you like that glass of wine now, Deanna?”  Kelly asked.

“Please,” she said.

Ami fetched another glass and Todd poured Deanna a healthy
portion.

Deanna nearly emptied the glass in a single gulp and motioned
Todd to top her up.

“And what brings you here tonight, Deanna?” asked Todd, filling
her glass.

“Yes, I thought you weren’t coming,” Anna added in a small voice.

“Anna, baby, after what your grandfather did, I couldn’t stay
away.”

Seeing that there was no trouble, Ami and Cara dropped the t-
shirts they had clutched in their hands.

“What did Grandpa do, mom?”  Anna asked.

“I was working alone this morning and this man walked into my
office and asked for me by my real name,” she said.  “My husband
was off playing golf, and I figured this had to be something
important or legal and I didn’t want to answer this man, but he
was persistent.  He said he had a very important message for
Deanna Regan and that I matched the description and a photograph
he had.  He said all it was, was a message, and that I could do
with it what I wanted.  He just wanted to be sure that he was
giving it only to the person for whom it was intended.”

“And?”  Anna urged her on.

“I finally said that I wanted to see some credentials and he
showed me a photo ID card that said he was a private
investigator,” Deanna continued, “so then I asked him who his
client was and he said it was Chuck Regan.  I thought my heart
was going to stop.  Dad had found me after all this time, but
the man said that Dad didn’t know where I was.  He said it was a
specific part of the contract.  Dad didn’t want to know, unless
it was by my choice.  I figured that if the man was lying or
not, he had found me, and if all he had to do was find me, then
he didn’t have to tell me anything.  He could just report to
your Grandfather.  So I told him I was who he was looking for
and he handed me a sheet of paper.  Said that he was supposed to
read it to me but that I might feel more comfortable reading it
myself than hearing it from a stranger.”

“What did it say, Deanna?”  Laura asked.

Deanna looked up at Laura and shook her head.  “Do you realize
that I don’t know any of you?  I come on to my boat and find my
daughter half naked with five strangers.  Yet you seem to know
all about me.”

“Chuck talks a lot about you, Deanna,” Kelly said.

Deanna sighed.  “The paper said that when I was found I was to
be told that Dad was very sorry for having driven me away from
my home, my life and my baby girl,” she said, giving Anna a
squeeze.  “He said that he loved me, missed me very much and if
I could forgive an	old fool, he wanted to see me again, but only
if I wanted.  The rest was just instructions that I was not to
be bothered or pestered again, but just asking if I was happy.”

Deanna held out her glass again to Todd.

Todd shrugged and filled it once again, but cautioned her that
in her emotional state, the wine might give her a headache.

“Maybe not a headache,” she said, “but I am getting awfully hot.”

“So,” said Kelly, “get comfortable.  It is your boat after all.”

“You look familiar,” said Deanna as she slipped off her dress,
relaxing in just her bra and panties.

“She’s a famous model, mom,” Anna said, “and Todd is a
photographer.”

“Are you the photographer who took the picture of Anna?” 
Deanna	asked.

“Guilty as charged,” said Todd with a smile

“Brenda said you took a beautiful picture of Anna.  I wish I
could see it.”

“Well, you could ask Chuck.  He has a copy in his room in the
village,” said Kelly.

“Oh, yeah, right.  After three glasses of wine!  Some
homecoming eh?” said Deanna.

Kelly laughed, said that Chuck was probably asleep now anyway. 
Then she introduced herself and everyone else properly.

“I guess that now we’re all acquainted, I guess I can lose this
as well,” said Deanna taking off her bra to expose a nice full
pair of breasts.  She massaged the strap marks on her tanned
skin.

Laura laughed.  She too knew the discomfort of having her boobs
restrained.

Kelly asked Ami if she would mind bringing up more Evian.  “It
will help prevent a headache in the morning,” she said as an
explanation to Deanna.

When Ami came back with the bottles of water, enough for
everyone, Kelly asked Deanna what made her decide to come, and
why so late.

“I didn’t know what to do at first,” Deanna said.  “I thanked
the detective and said to tell my father I was fine.  Anna had
asked me to come here this weekend, and I wanted to, but I
didn’t want to get into it again with Dad.  Sorry, Baby,” she
said to Anna. 

“Then I read the note over again and started to cry.  I
couldn’t stop.  Then my husband came home and I decided that I
was coming.  I told him that I had to meet with a client about
possibly unloading this boat and that I would be gone for a few
days.  And now, here I am.  I don’t know what to do next.”

“Do you want to see him?” asked Laura.

“Yes…yes, I do.  I just don’t know how to approach him.  He
thinks he shut me out, but I was the one who walked away.”

“But that’s all past history now,” said Kelly.

“And I think I might have the perfect solution for you,” said
Todd.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Deanna listened carefully, munching on an apple, as Todd laid
out his plan.

Everybody agreed that it was a perfect plan and then Cara and
Ami excused themselves saying they were tired and headed off to
bed.

“You can sleep with me tonight, mom,” said Anna.  “It’s not the
biggest bed, but I don’t take up much room!”

Deanna laughed and asked Anna which cabin she was in, gave her
a big hug and kiss, and said she would be in shortly.

Finally, it was just the four adults left sitting on the deck.

“Do you make it a habit of sitting around topless?”  Deanna
asked.

“Oh no!” said Kelly.

“Usually we wear less,” laughed Laura.

Deanna laughed as well.

“Chuck talked a lot about when you and he and your mother used
to swim at the lake,” said Todd.  “I think seeing Kelly, Brenda,
Amanda and Anna skinny dipping the last time we were there
brought back a lot of memories for him.”

“I haven’t done it since then,” sighed Deanna.  “I miss those
days.”

“Damn!” said Kelly.  “I forgot to ask Chuck if we could
christen the baby at the lake.”

“Baby?” asked Deanna.  “Who’s having a baby?”

“We are,” said Laura.  “Kelly’s just the lucky one to be
carrying it.”

Deanna looked at the three of them.  “We?” she said.

“Yep,” said Kelly, “the three of us are an item.”

“Actually, we’re going to get married,” said Todd.  “Just to
make it permanently legal.”

“Oh,” said Deanna to Todd.  “So one girl isn’t enough for you? 
You need two?”

“It’s not like that, Deanna,” said Kelly calmly.  “It’s more
like us two girls need Todd, as well as each other.  Actually,
Laura and I were lovers before Todd and I started a sexual
relationship.  I think our baby was conceived at your father’s
house.”

“I feel like I should be outraged or something,” said Deanna,
“but seeing the three of you…  You all look so happy.”

“That’s because we are!” said Laura.  “Though Todd’s dream of
the three of us getting married is strictly fantasy.”

“Oh, ye of little faith,” said Todd.

“It doesn’t have to be a fantasy,” said Deanna slowly.

“Told you there was a way,” said Todd smugly.

“You mean you’ve already figured out how to make this
possible?” asked Laura.

“I’ve had a pretty good idea,” said Todd, “and seeing what
Deanna just said, I think I’m on the right track.”

“It will only be valid in International Waters,” said Deanna. 
“I don’t think it’s legal in any western country.”

“I don’t think that we need society’s approval, Deanna,” said
Todd.  “I just want to show a few close friends that we are very
serious about remaining together, and neither of the girls will
want to change their names.  Kelly has a history with hers, and
Laura is about to create one.”

“Might I suggest legal contracts, then?” said Deanna.

“Why?” asked Kelly.  “It’s like you said.  It will never stand
up on land or in a real court.”

Deanna smiled at Kelly.  “It’s not that, Kelly.  I see now that
I’ve been a bit blinded by society’s codes of what’s right and
wrong, but I can feel the love you have for each other.  I’m
only suggesting legal contracts in the event of illness or, God
forbid, something worse.  It’s called an Enduring Power of
Attorney, and it will give all of you rights to determine
courses of treatment and in some places, simply the right to
visit if one of you should fall seriously ill.”

“You mean designate each other as spousal equivalent?” asked
Laura.

“That’s it exactly!” said Deanna.  “It’s not the same as a
marriage certificate, but for most things, it’s just as good. 
It will allow only the other two to make serious decisions for
you when you’re incapable of making them for yourself.”

“I hate even thinking about that kind of thing,” said Kelly,
“but you have a good point, Deanna.  Thanks!”

Then Kelly turned her gaze onto Todd.  “You sneaky bugger!  You
said you’d find a way to marry us both.  I loved the idea and I
loved you for wanting to, but I never thought you’d find a
way!”  She threw herself on him, kissing him passionately.

Laura laughed and jumped on top, joining in the kissing and
hugging.

“Well, seeing how you three are occupied, perhaps I should go
and join my daughter,” said Deanna.

Laura and Kelly disentangled themselves from Todd, who was
beaming.

“I’m sorry, Deanna,” said Kelly.  “We can pick this up later
on,” she giggled as she squeezed Todd’s leg.

Todd picked up Kelly’s cell phone and scrounged in his pockets
until he found the number of the Marriott Inn.  He dialed the
number and left a message with the front desk that Chuck be
invited to join them on board the CL1 at 9 o’clock for breakfast
and to discuss baby news.

After he hung up, he said to Deanna, “That’ll make sure he’s
here in the morning.  The rest will be up to you and him.”

Deanna gulped down more of her water.  Laura went and got a few
more bottles.

“Deanna,” said Kelly, “how about you and me swap some favors
tomorrow morning?”

“What do you mean?” asked Deanna.

“Todd told me how Chuck responded to Anna when he saw her
posing for him and he thought it was you.  You look beautiful,
but if you give me a half hour in the morning before he gets
here, I should be able to duplicate that look.”

“Yeah,” said Laura.  “I don’t understand why someone as
beautiful as you dresses so conservatively.  You’re wearing
hardly any makeup and your hair looks positively matriarchal!”

Deanna raised her eyebrows at Laura.

“I’m sorry, Deanna,” said Laura.  “I’ve just gotten used to
saying what’s on my mind.” 

Deanna was quiet for so long that Laura thought she had really
upset the woman, but then she said, “Its okay, Laura.  I guess
I’ve been…” she paused, as if looking for the right word,
“unhappy for quite a while…”

(Deanna had married an older man, coincidentally with a similar
physical build to her father.  He knew her real name and had
counted on using her family connection to improve his business. 
She refused flat-out, and things soured between them when he
found he just could not get her to change her mind.  (That Regan
stubborn trait!)  Deanna had actually used his contacts to
improve her own business life.  Their relationship had been
mostly in name only for the last 6 – 8 years, but she had
discovered about a year ago he had taken a lover.  A pretty
young thing of 22 - less than half his age.  A pretty young MALE
thing!)

“What made you unhappy, Deanna?”  Todd asked softly.

“I found out something about my husband that he really didn’t
want me to know,” she answered with a crooked smile.  “And it
made me feel, I suppose you’d say… old and unloved.”

“Which of course is silly and you know that, right, Deanna?”
said Kelly.  “You and I are about the same age, and I could tell
you some stories about not being happy, but if I’ve learned
anything, it’s that my happiness depends on me.”

Deanna sighed.

“You’re about my size, Deanna,” said Laura.  “I’ve got some
great outfits with me.  Brand new designer stuff.  Let Kelly fix
your hair and makeup and we’ll dress you up just right!”

Deanna laughed.  “All of a sudden I feel like I’m a Barbie
Doll.  Okay.  We’ll do it.  But what is it you want from me,
Kelly?”

“I want you to tell me about giving birth!” said Kelly.

Deanna laughed and said it would be her pleasure.  “I think
that having Anna is about the only thing I’ve done right.”

“Deanna,” said Todd, “I asked Chuck about Anna’s father and he
said you refused to tell him.  Does he know he has a beautiful
daughter?”

Deanna’s eyes misted over.  “I loved him,” she said.  “But he
was older than me.  Not by much at this point in my life, but I
was only 15 back then.  He worked for my dad, and he left before
I found out that I was pregnant.  The last I heard he was on the
west coast and has a wife and child.  I’ve kept this a secret
for a long time.  I’m not sure if I could intrude on his life
now with this news.  It wouldn’t be fair to his family.”

Todd moved over and put his arm around Deanna’s shoulder.  “I
understand,” he said softly.  “It must have been hard on you all
these years.”

Kelly slid up on Deanna’s other side and said, “and we have to
tackle our own demons one at a time.  I’m glad that you found
the courage to see your father again.  You just don’t know how
happy he will be.”

Laura moved to sit in front of Deanna, taking hold of her
hands.  “We’ll be your support group, Deanna.  From what you
said about the detective finding you, your father left the door
open for you to make your own choice.  He could have just had
you found and come to see you, but all he asked was if you were
happy.  I’d say that he really cares for you, if he’s willing to
let you go and live your own life.”

“Laura’s right, Deanna,” said Todd.  “Chuck’s not trying to
interfere with your life, he just wants you to know how much he
loves you and misses you.”

Deanna put her head on Kelly’s shoulder and cried.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Ami and Cara had done their best not to rock the boat after
getting into their bed.  They found their lovemaking that night
to be subdued and tender.  It had been a long day and an
emotional evening, from the elation of arriving and the
excitement of the day, to the arrival of Deanna.

“I wonder if our lives would have been anything like this if we
hadn’t been on the road from such a young age,” Cara had asked.

“I’m not sure, honey,” said Ami.  “We come from different
backgrounds, but if my dad had found out I was pregnant, I’m not
so sure that he would have taken it well at all.”

“Yeah,” said Cara.  “My dad would flip, especially after all
the time he spent working overtime to pay for my training.  I
don’t think any of the medals I won would have meant anything to
him.”

“I think we should really work at this opportunity and give our
families something back,” said Ami.  “They’ve sacrificed for us,
let’s not give them a reason to regret it.”

“Exactly!” said Cara.  “Now get on your back again, lover.  I’m
not done with you yet!”

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

It was after midnight when a cried out, tired yet happy Deanna
crawled into bed and cuddled next to her daughter.  God, she had
missed this.  Her baby was growing up and needed her mother. 
Come hell or high water, she was determined she would make
things right again between herself and her father if only for
Anna’s sake.

Deanna loved her dad, but they were of the same temperament. 
She had been so pig headed and he could be so stubborn, yet… if
he could change, so could she!

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Kelly had a last cigarette on deck while Laura cleaned up the
remnants of the picnic that had turned into a surprise party. 
Todd helped Laura.

“Wow,” was all that Laura had been able to say after Deanna had
gone off to bed.

“Yeah, for sure,” said Kelly.  “She’s been living with a lot of
guilt for a long time.”

“But she’s going to make it right,” said Todd.  “That’s the
important part.”

“Better late then never, right, Todd?”  Kelly asked.

“Some things can never be set right,” said Todd, “but their
only downfall has been pride and stubbornness.  You and me,
Honey, we’ve dealt with worse.”

“And we have the battle scars to prove it, don’t we, Babe,”
said Kelly.

“Yeah, but they’re all internal.”

“Hey, you two.  Don’t you be getting all emotional on me.  I
know I haven’t had to put up with the crap you two did,” said
Laura, “but no matter how hard you try, you can’t go back and
change the past.  We have each other now!”

“Laura’s right,” said Kelly.  “We can’t change the past, but we
can sure as hell try to make a better future!”

“Laura, have you given any thought to this crazy idea of
Todd’s?  About marrying both of us?” asked Kelly.

“You mean, will I invite my folks to our wedding?”  Laura
laughed.  “I think that I’ll just keep that little secret to
myself.  Mom and dad are pretty open-minded, and could probably
accept me having a relationship with either one of you, but both
of you?  Since we’re going to be keeping our own names anyway,
I’ll just let them speculate about who I’m spending my time
with.  But there is something I want to add to this whole crazy
scheme.”

“What’s that, Sweetheart?” asked Kelly.

“Well…  Todd is talking about marrying the two of us, but I
want to marry you too, Kelly.”

Kelly’s eyes misted over as she reached for Laura.  “And I want
to marry you too, Sweetheart.  I love you!”

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

They made slow gentle love that night.  Not quite the rocking,
swaying ride Laura had predicted, but the day had been enough of
a roller coaster for Todd and Kelly anyway.  Laura was the one
who held it all together for the three of them, finally
understanding Gloria’s cryptic message from her ‘Obi Man.’ Todd
and Kelly needed her to be the stabilizing rock and glue to help
them hold it all together while the three of them built a
lifelong relationship.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Laura woke up first.  Her arms felt heavy and she realized she
was lying on her back, sandwiched between Kelly and Todd. 
Somehow, through the night, they had both ended up cuddling
Laura, their heads on her shoulders.  Laura hugged her lovers
tight, but her bladder was calling out to her.

She tried to slide out without disturbing either of them, but
they refused to budge.  Remembering something she had once read
about the sleeping mind, she softly whispered into Todd’s ear,
“Honey, turn over.”

Todd didn’t move, but he mumbled something in his sleep.

She tried again.  “Todd, Honey, roll over.”

Todd didn’t wake up, but he mumbled, “Yes, dear,” and rolled
over allowing Laura to extract her arm.  Her arm was asleep and
it flopped loosely for a few minutes before the tingling
sensation stopped.

She tried to use the same technique on Kelly, but Kelly must
have been in a deeper sleep state and Laura received no response
at all.  Failing this, and wanting Kelly to be able to sleep
longer, Laura used her nails to gently rake across Kelly’s
back.  That brought a response!

Kelly moaned in her sleep and stretched like a cat before
rolling over, still soundly asleep.

Slipping on just a T-shirt, Laura headed for the “head,” as Bob
had told her the toilet was called on a boat.  She still thought
that was a funny name for a bathroom.

Sunlight was streaming in through the portholes, and Laura
stopped a moment to look at the trusty old Timex on her wrist. 
“Oops,” she thought.  “Better hurry and get the others up.  It
was already past 8.”

Laura realized she was standing outside of Anna’s cabin door
and could hear voices coming through it.  At least Anna and
Deanna were awake.  Not wanting to let others know she was up
she listened at the other cabin door where Ami and Cara were
bunked.  No sounds.  Gently she turned the doorknob and slipped
into the room to find the two girls sound asleep, nude, and
curled around each other.  Laura gently shook Ami by the
shoulder and held her finger to her lips indicating she should
remain quiet.

Ami nodded and whispered, “Good morning,” a smile on her face. 
Laura smiled as well; happy that Cara and Ami had discovered the
deeper love they had for each other.

Slipping into the passage way once more, Laura finally made it
to the “head” and relieved the pressure that had woken her. 

Passing by Anna’s door again she could hear soft laughter.  It
was a good sign, and that along with the sunlight outside spoke
of promise for the day.

Back in her own cabin, Laura dressed and then woke her two
lovers.

“Come on, Kelly, Sweetheart.  You promised to work with Deanna
this morning and Chuck will be here in less than an hour.”

Kelly grumbled something about mornings, climbed out of the bed
and ran her fingers through her hair.  Not giving a second
thought to her nudity, she stumbled out the door to use the
“head” herself, after giving Laura a sweet good morning kiss.

Todd had an early morning erection now, so Laura slowly moved
to within range where she could engulf his cock and trap it
between her lips.  She sucked softly and gently slowly moving
her mouth back and forth, feeling his erection grow even more.

Todd moaned softly in his sleep and turned to give Laura better
access to his hard-on.  His arousal level was rising and he was
still asleep!  But his body reacted instinctively to what felt
good.

Laura started to pick up the pace, wetting her lips, and
coating his cock with saliva.  Her head was bobbing up and down
when Kelly reentered their cabin.

Kelly finished her business, and then checked on Cara and Ami
before heading back.  She smiled at the sight of Laura sucking
Todd awake, remembering a time not so long ago when she had done
the same thing.

Laura was intent on her ministrations and could feel Todd’s
pending eruption.  She redoubled her efforts and was rewarded
with jets of cum splashing against her tonsils.  She continued
to suck until his cock deflated and when she was finally
satisfied that there was no more for her to lick or suck, she
released him from her oral embrace and stood up.  She noticed
Kelly watching approvingly and moved to her other lover to share
a taste of what she had just enjoyed.  The two girls were locked
in a passionate embrace when Todd finally woke up.

“Hey!” he said, with a big smile on his face.  “Are you two
starting without me?”

Kelly laughed.  “This, from the only man I know who can sleep
through a perfect blowjob.”

Todd looked down at his flaccid cock and saw it was still wet
with saliva.  “I thought I was just dreaming,” he said.  “Who do
I have to thank for this morning’s wake up call?”

Laura winked at Kelly and said, “If you can’t tell, then I
guess you will just have to return the favor to both of us.”

“That will be my pleasure,” he said as he climbed out of bed. 
Todd looked at the clock and said, “we better get a move on. 
Chuck should be arriving within the next half hour.”

Kelly called Sandy’s and asked if they could order breakfast
delivered.  When she found out she could she said she would call
right back and see how many and what.

“You get dressed, Kelly,” said Laura.  “I’ll find out who’s in
the mood for eating and get the vitamins.”

When she left, Kelly got dressed and pulled out her “on the
road” makeup case.  Todd changed into a pair of shorts and the
inevitable Trek T-shirt.  While Kelly and Laura were wearing
soft leather sandals, Todd slipped on his moccasins.

Laura came back and announced that everyone was in the mood for
breakfast, and the consensus was that whatever Kelly ordered
would be fine with them.

Kelly hit redial on her phone and ordered cheese and mushroom
omelets with thick slabs of ham, and three large containers of
orange juice, enough for seven people.

Giving her lovers a kiss and taking the clothes, which Laura
had suggested, from her wardrobe, Kelly left to do a quick
makeover on Deanna.

Cara and Ami, with Anna’s help, set up the dining table on the
open upper deck.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Chuck woke at his usual seven o’clock and lay for a moment
looking at the play of light on the ceiling.  He kicked off the
sheets and stretched for a moment, then rolled out of bed and
padded into the bathroom, had a piss then gave his teeth a quick
brush.  He examined his reflection in the mirror for a moment. 
‘I suppose you’re not doing too bad for an old guy,’ he thought
then went to slip on a pair of shorts.

The phone on the desk showed a blinking message light.  He
frowned to himself; who would be leaving him a message here?  He
called the front desk to receive Todd’s invitation to
breakfast.  Baby news?  Perhaps Todd was accepting his offer to
be a part of his family.  He certainly hoped so – he and Anna
had been alone for so long, and they and the James Gang had
brought a wonderful change to their lives.

He rang room service for a pot of coffee and a bagel, enough to
tide him over till nine o’clock, and then called his message
service.  Hmm, nothing there his new CEO couldn’t take care of.

He was sitting on the balcony watching the boats come to life
on the lake when the busboy brought up his coffee and bagel.

Chuck had his feet propped up, sipping on coffee watching the
time go by.  He hadn’t done enough of that in the last decade,
always working harder and longer than the people he hired.  The
last two months had changed that for him and he was enjoying his
granddaughter now more than ever, and was developing new
friendships.  “If only I had done this before,” he thought to
himself.  With a sigh, he got out of his chair and checked CNN
Headline News for a few minutes.  Satisfied that the world was
not going to hell in a hand-basket today, he turned off the
idiot box and noted with irony that he hadn’t even bothered to
look at the New York Times that came with his coffee and bagel. 
He was rich, didn’t need to gain more money, and the company was
now in the Brenda’s capable hands.  It was time to start
enjoying life.  Build on his new friendships and maybe spend a
bit more time in Helen’s garden.

He was still smiling as he stepped into the shower.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

“For the umpteenth time, stop playing with your hair!”  Kelly
said to Deanna.  “Just try and sit still for a minute so I can
get this eyeliner on you.”

“But it looks so …” said Deanna.

“Big?  Full?”

“No,” giggled Deanna.  “It looks like it’s alive!”

“And that’s the look we’re going for,” said Kelly, “so if you
can stop playing with it for a minute...”

“Oh, all right,” pouted Deanna.  She secretly loved the way she
looked as she viewed her reflection in the mirror.  And Kelly
had made it look so simple.  Under her care, Deanna watched a
dozen years fall away from her face.  Her hair hung loose but
shaped.  Her lips were fuller thanks to a careful application of
liner and gloss, and what Kelly had managed to do to her eyes
made them look deeper, more striking.

The clothes that Laura had picked for her were so casual, it
reminded Deanna of her teenage years.  Flared shorts with
multiple pockets in a soft green and a cream colored collared
blouse with dual front pockets completed the outfit.  It was a
perfect combination and they fit so comfortably.  She had no
casual shoes to wear with it and promised herself she would get
a pair of sandals.  It had been so long since she had worn
anything like this.

Kelly checked the time, saw it was close to nine, and called
Todd in for a final inspection.  Todd whistled and said how good
Deanna looked, which made her blush.

“So are we all set with the plan?”  Todd asked.

“Yes,” said Deanna.  “Though I’m really nervous.”

“Don’t be,” said Kelly.  “He really does love you and he has
missed you so much.”

“So, when Chuck comes on board, you’ll be waiting in the other
stairwell and you can hear what’s being said.  When he asks
about the other place setting, I’ll say something that you’ll
recognize as your cue to come on up,” said Todd.

“Got it,” said Deanna.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

At ten to nine, Chuck had the Marriott driver take him down to
the marina, looking for the CL1.  He caught sight of a delivery
boy heading towards a large wooden yacht then saw the name on
her stern.  She was a fine looking craft.  Chuck walked
leisurely towards her and was just admiring the craftsmanship
when the delivery boy left.

“Ahoy, CL1,” Chuck shouted.  “Permission to come aboard!”

“Oh, Grandpa,” said Anna who stuck her head out from the top
deck.  “You don’t have to be that formal!”

“For a lady this grand,” said Chuck, “it’s only right we follow
tradition!”

Todd stepped out from the main cabin and welcomed Chuck aboard.

“I knew you were staying on a yacht,” said Chuck when he was
seated, “I just never expected it to be one of such high
caliber!”

“She is a beauty, isn’t she?” said Kelly.

Chuck was checking out the fittings, admiring the quality of
the workmanship.  “This kind of work, you don’t see much of it
any more,” he said.  “People don’t want to pay the money, and
few builders want to take the time.”

“If you like I can introduce you to the designer,” said Kelly
as everyone sat down.

“That would be an honor,” said Chuck, then he noticed the empty
seat.  “Are we expecting someone else?” he asked.

“Well,” said Todd.  “The designer and builder of this yacht
arrived late last night, so we invited her for breakfast as
well.”

“A woman designer?” asked Chuck.  “Of this boat?  I’d love to
meet her!”

Todd and Kelly both looked at the stairwell behind them.  Anna
was holding her breath.

“Hi, Daddy!”

To be continued…



  
Kelly 19