“Ma’am…,” Aidan choked on her tears, “I’m so happy to meet you.”
Her aunt stepped back and looked at her again, “You’re the spitting image of my sister!” she exclaimed and then hugged Aidan again.
“I am?” Aidan was astonished by that. I do look like my mother? A secret Aidan had always hoped was true.
Vicky was also astounded by the revelation. She knew Aidan had always imagined that her mother was the most beautiful, the kindest creature on earth, and come to find out, she was. Like mother, like daughter. She felt relief that Aidan now had a better sense of what her mother looked like. Now, she could almost put a face to her name.
“And who’s the wee one with the gorgeous ring on her finger?” The Senator had turned her attention to Vicky.
Aidan looked at her bride and realized that she had not introduced her yet, “This is my beautiful wife, Victoria Montgomery-Cassidy.”
“Your wife? You mean you two are…, lesbians?”
“Yes, ma’am, proud to say we are.” It had never crossed Aidan’s mind that someone would take offence to that, although there was a time that she had to defend herself against the bullies and the haters. She didn’t give them the time of day now, thanks to the love of her life.
“How perfectly marvelous!”
“Ma’am?” Is she actually glad about that? Or is it something worse?
“I advocate for the gay and lesbian community here in Ireland. I would love to talk with you about it sometime. In fact, I’d love to talk with you about everything!”
“So would I! I mean, yes, ma’am, I’m anxious to learn about my birthright, thank you, Senator.”
“And I’ll be thanking you to call me Aintín Peg.”
“Aunt Peg. Has a nice sound to it,” Aidan said, her excitement almost bursting out of her, which for her, was very unusual. She had lived all her life in fear that she would turn out to be just like her father, an abusive bastard. Then, when she found out she was adopted, all she could think about was how thankful she was that she didn’t have any of his blood in her. Now, meeting a real blood relative, one that was standing two feet in front of her right now, gave her such a feeling of belonging, that it was almost overwhelming. She always knew that her heart belonged to Vicky, but she had always hoped that her heritage belonged to her mother. “I have so many questions to ask you, Aunt Peg.”
“And I, you. But I fear work must take precedent, before our little family reunion. Let’s get together tomorrow after the luncheon. I’ll clear my calendar and devote my attention just to you.”
“Oh, I thought maybe after this, we could‒‒”
“Honey, I’m sure Senator O'Malley must attend to other things, and it will be late before we can leave here. You can wait one more day, can’t you, sweetheart?”
“What? Uh, sure, tomorrow will be fine.” Aidan was momentarily deflated, but knew that Vicky was right. She had hundreds of questions that needed answers too, and they weren’t all going to be answered overnight, so she would wait impatiently, until tomorrow.
“Don’t worry, we have the rest of our lives to get to know each other. But for now, I must get back to work and I know that you two should go mingle. I will see you tomorrow, after your speech.”
“My speech?”
“Of course, mo daor.”
Aidan looked at Vicky and repeated, “My speech? I don’t have a speech?”
Vicky grinned at her nervous bride and reassured her, “Don’t worry, honey, we’ll write something tonight after the ball. You’ll be fine.”
Senator O’Malley hugged her niece one more time before she turned her attention to the others in the room. Aidan watched her aunt leave and a large smile came across her face. She took Vicky’s hand and twirled her around into her arms, dancing her over to the dance floor.
“I just met my aunt! I still can’t believe it, baby. I have an aunt.”
“I’m so happy for you, sweetheart. I can’t wait for you to get to know her.”
“Maybe we could extend our honeymoon, so I’ll have more time with her. Would you mind that very much, baby?”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. And we can also have her come to America, especially for St. Patrick’s Day in the spring. I’m sure I could arrange with someone to make her the grand marshal in the parade. She’d probably get a kick out of that.”
The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Little Rock was a very large and long parade that encompassed two cities, Little Rock and North Little Rock. The cities, separated by the Arkansas River, have a dual lane bridge that connects them, and during the parade, the children loved to run across the bridge, to follow it.
“Oh yeah, that would be fantastic. And maybe we can come here for Christmas? That would be so amazing too, and‒‒”
Bradshah interrupted her exhilaration, “Cassidy, concentrate on the mission, please.”
Damn. I forgot about that. Reluctantly, Aidan leaned in and whispered to Vicky, and then she dipped her low and kissed her deep. After Vicky’s head stopped spinning, the two began to introduce themselves to the other guests, and Bradshah snapped pictures of each person.
Aidan’s natural instincts kicked in, and as she talked with each person, she made mental notes about them, especially if something felt off to her. She noticed a man who stood out because he seemed to be looking around nervously. They made their way over to him and she introduced Vicky and herself. He said his name was Peter Brandenburg and he was there as a friend of a member of the cabinet. The man was well dressed, socially astute and outwardly agreeable, but his dark eyes seemed to look through Aidan, instead of at her. She engaged him in conversation, and noticed that everything he said was positive and vague, so much so, that they both got the impression he was a politician.
“He’s not in our database, Aidan. Find out where he’s from and what he does for a living,” Bradshah said into her earpiece.
But before Aidan could say anything, Vicky asked him about his accent. That’s my girl.
“You have a lovely accent, is it South African?”
“You have a good ear, miss. I am indeed from South Africa.”
“I’ve always wanted to visit the Republic of South Africa. I hear it’s a beautiful country.”
“Well then, on behalf of my country, we would love to have you visit. You would only add to its beauty.”
Aidan’s alarm bells went off as she got the distinct impression that he was flirting with her bride. Back off, bastard.
“In fact, I would be happy to personally give you a guided tour myself,” Brandenburg concluded.
Thinking he was oozing a little too much self-confidence, Aidan was going to put a stop to it, before he really pissed her off. I don’t like him already. But before she could say anything, Vicky calmed her with a knowing pat to her back. She knew her wife, and how protective and sometimes, jealous she could get. Not that a little jealousy was a bad thing; it could be good for the soul, especially when it came from her bride.
Vicky replied, “So what do you do there, Mr. Brandenburg?”
“A little of this, a little of that. I’m a diamond trader by day, and a party crasher by night.” Vicky gave him her most charming smile, which encouraged him to continued, “I do like to dabble in politics and try to network with politicians whenever I’m in the country.”
“That sounds fascinating. The diamonds I mean. I don’t have a head for politics.”
She’s totally lying to him, Aidan thought, a frown creasing her forehead. Why is she flirting with him? Aidan couldn’t see the veracity of the game, not when it came to her wife.
“That’s a perfectly lovely ring you’re wearing. May I look closer?” Where have I seen that ring before?
Vicky daintily held out her hand, and he pulled out his loupe and leaned over to inspect the ring. Yes, I thought so, he thought to himself, perfect.
“Here’s my card, call me,” he said, handing her his business card, as he continued to stare at her ring, “and maybe
we can have lunch, uh, the three of us, and I’ll tell you more about my country. I’ll be in town for a few more days. Oh and I can get you a really good price for that ring if you’re in the market,” he said casually, pointing at her ring.
“Sell my engagement ring?” Vicky looked at her ring and then at Aidan, “Oh, no. This ring never comes off my finger. It’s far too important to me. It was Aidan’s mother’s ring.”
“Indeed?” He looked at Aidan keenly for the first time since they were introduced, and then he pointed at his card, “I look forward to hearing from you.” he said, and walked away.
Later, after they had moved to the other side of the room, Aidan cornered Vicky and asked her why she was playing the dumb blonde game with that man.
Smiling, Vicky squeezed her lover’s hand, appreciating that Aidan didn’t like the game. She explained that the man was just too well rehearsed, and to poised to be real, so she plied him with charm hoping to draw him out, which she did. Vicky handed his card to Aidan and told her that if they needed to have lunch with him, she’d be happy to carry the conversation for her. Aidan goosed her, which produced a squeal, albeit a reserved one, from Vicky.
The next person they met was also a Senator of the Irish Parliament. Senator O’Leary was medium height, balding, with the beginnings of a pot belly, and he looked like he hadn’t smiled in years. And when he did smile, Aidan found it suspicious. Perhaps she was skeptical because his smile was so forced that she thought it was going to crack, or maybe, it was because his lips disappeared and all she saw were his false teeth. Whatever the reason, Aidan’s radar went off. The man was definitely hiding something behind his faked smile.
Moving on, it was Vicky, with her fashion savvy, who pointed out to Aidan, the woman drinking heavily in the corner. The first thing Vicky noticed was that she was grossly underdressed for such a high profile function. The woman she was referring to was in a drab knee length dress with flat heels. It looked to Vicky like she was alone, but she couldn’t be sure because there was a column blocking her full view. The woman appeared to be talking loudly, tossing her head back as if to project what she was saying. They made their way over to her, and were surprised to find that she was alone. After they introduced themselves, conversation was engaged. Bradshah took pictures and ran her face through the database.
“Aidan, she’s cleared. She’s the wife of Senator O’Leary.”
Aidan understood what he was saying, but something inside, that she couldn’t quite grab hold of, told her there was more to this woman than met the eye. She rationalized that her suspiciousness was probably due to the encounter with the woman's husband. So she stepped back and let Vicky take the lead, knowing that her wife spoke the language of fashion. And she was right. In no time, Vicky had the Senator’s wife comparing notes on the best places to shop for clothes. It wasn’t long before the inebriated woman began apologizing for her attire, much to Vicky’s objection. Vicky assured her that she wanted to find that same dress before she left Ireland.
“This old thing,” the Senator’s wife slurred, “I just grabbed it out of the closet at the last minute.”
Aidan watched as the woman grabbed another drink from the passing waiter. She let out a loud laugh, though no one had said anything and raised the glass to her lips. Suddenly, before she had finished the drink, she visually dried up, and became almost malleable in her demeanor. What would cause that? Aidan thought. She looked around to see what or who the woman was staring at. Aidan had thought it would be her husband, but it wasn’t. It was the gentleman from South Africa that they had had spoken with earlier. The Senator’s wife abruptly excused herself and left the room.
“Well, that was odd,” Vicky surmised. “Even if she is drunk.”
“Baby, I’ll be right back.” She nodded toward the same door the Senator’s wife had exited, and Vicky understood what she wasn’t saying.
“Not without me, you’re not.” Vicky grabbed her arm and together, they nonchalantly followed behind the woman.
Chapter Eleven
“Good morning, sweetheart.”
Joyce didn’t answer. Instead she rolled over on her side and pulled the blanket up over her head. Ellen knew she hadn’t slept well. She was restless and agitated most of the night.
“Come on, honey. Don’t be like that.” When Joyce didn’t say anything for the second time, Ellen got out of bed and put her robe on.
“I’m going to make some coffee, want some?”
“No, thanks. I think I’ll just stay in bed a while longer.”
Ellen looked at her wife. The nationally renowned, cardiovascular surgeon, vivacious in every way, reduced to hiding under the covers, as lifeless as a lump of coal. Her heart broke, as much for Joyce’s despair as for her own, because she didn’t know how to help her lover see that she still had a life. She still was loved and needed, and not only by Ellen.
“Honey, this isn’t like you. It’s too soon for you to give in.”
“You’re wrong, Ellen. I could hear what he wasn’t saying when he said give it one more week.”
“But you of all people should know it can take longer sometimes to knock out a virus.”
Joyce did know that better than anyone else, but this was different. This was more than just her eyes going dark, this was about her life becoming stagnate. She could live with not seeing the New York skyline again, or the Taj Mahal, or the Grand Tetons. But to never see her wife’s face again or that luscious body of hers, was a heavy weight Joyce was not willing to bear at the moment. And the fear of never seeing a heart beating inside a chest cavity again, was just too much for her to even contemplate.
Ellen sat there for a moment, thinking to herself, what was it Vicky said, it’s all about the heart. Ellen undressed completely and climb back into bed. She pulled on Joyce’s arm. “Here, roll over, I need you to do something for me.”
“I don’t feel like making love right now,” Joyce mumbled.
“Just turn over for me, okay?”
Joyce reluctantly did as she was asked, and Ellen, who had laid back, guided Joyce’s head down between her breasts. Joyce found comfort in the warmth her cheek felt against Ellen’s soft skin. She tucked her fingers under the breast and lightly caressed it. She loved this woman deeply, even through the fog of depression. Depression that had her irrationally wondering if Ellen would still love her if she were permanently blind.
“Just lie still and listen.” Ellen said as she positioned her so that she was laying right on top of her heart. “What do you hear, honey?”
“I hear your myocardium thumping.”
“No, sweetheart, you’re hearing my love for you, beating inside of there.”
The mere sound of her wife’s heart made her own heart swell with love. “Don’t make me cry, honey. My eyes are already puffy enough.” Ellen smiled, she could feel Joyce relaxing.
“I’m happy to say that your heart sounds healthy and strong.” Joyce said in all seriousness.
“Why, thank you for the examination, doctor. Would you like to hear it skip a beat? Just reach down, and…, Joyce?”
Joyce had fallen asleep, thanks to the rhythm of her lover’s heartbeat and the warmth of her silky skin. Ellen laid there for a long time, softly stroking her lover’s cheek, and running her fingers through her hair. She thought, it really is all about the heart, as she allowed herself to let go of the anxiety, and fall asleep as well.
***
“Wait, Yvonne,” Jerry exclaimed. “You don’t have to sign that. Everything I am and everything I own, which is pretty much just the shirt on my back, is yours for the taking, if you’ll have me. I don’t need a piece of paper to know you’ll stand by me no matter what. I know the caliber of woman you are.”
Yvonne smiled through her glistening eyelids and replied, “And I know what kind of man you are, Jerry Williams, that’s why I said yes to your proposal. That and the fact that I am in love with you. We can be very comfortable living off our salaries, and Freddie will be
raised with love, not money. So I’m happy to sign the prenup, because it just doesn’t matter to me.” She took the ink pen that Virginia offered and signed the papers, pushing them toward her. Then turning back to Jerry, she continued, “I live in an apartment that’s barely large enough for Freddie and I, so what do you think about looking for a larger place. One that’s within our budget?”
Virginia watched with motherly curiosity, as they discussed their soon to be living arrangements, and thought that Yvonne was well balanced, and had a good handle on things. That was good, she thought, Jerry is going to need a strong hand to deal with what’s coming.
“But Jerry,” Yvonne said, “as much as I want to marry you, I think it best that we have a long engagement. I want us both to be sure about the other, and taking our time will assure us of that. I come with a readymade family, you know. Freddie will soon be eleven years old and I must be careful that he understands what this means to him. What do you think?”
“I agree, but it won’t change my mind. I’ve loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you in Vicky’s office. But we can take all the time you need, I’m not going anywhere.”
“That’s not exactly true, Gerald.” Virginia interceded.
“What are you talking about, mother? I like Arkansas, it has a lot to offer. And I like my job, it’s exciting, most of the time. But besides all that, I’m not going anywhere without Yvonne. So whatever you’re cooking up you can just forget it. I’m here to stay.”
Virginia looked him square in the eye and asked, “Even if I were about to, what was it you said, Yvonne, drop dead tomorrow?”
***
“Basically it’s pretty simple,” Dakota explained, “I hit the ball to you and you hit it back to me.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve watched tennis matches on TV before. I get the basics.”
“Okay, then, let’s play some tennis.”
They each went to their side of the court and Dakota lobbed the ball to Samantha, who easily hit it back to her. Hey, this could be fun, she thought, and a great way to stay in shape. After the push up workout with Mr. Montgomery, Samantha felt she needed to get into shape and ready for more of the same.
Remember, It's Our Honeymoon Page 11
