Parental Advisory Rating: L, AC

Break out those V-Chips, everyone!

Credits:

Created, Produced, Directed and Written:

Fanatic and TNovan

Lying in front of the fireplace, stretched out on my stomach, looking through one of the baby books, I’m very content for the moment. Kels is dozing, using my bare backside as a pillow. It’s been a nice way to spend a Thursday evening, listening to jazz, making love to my girl, and, in between, reading up on how our Baby Roo is doing in there.

"Kels?"

"Hmm?" She rolls over, wrapping herself in a sheet and sliding up next to me. I feel her hand come to rest on my back, stroking up and down. It’s still a bit damp with sweat from our latest exertion. If she keeps that up, it may get worse before it gets better.

"Our baby is the size of a seed."

"What kind of seed?" She is drawing some random pattern on my skin. It reminds me of when you’re a kid and your best friend writes on your back with her finger and you have to guess what she wrote. Kels' nails are absolutely delightful against my flesh. If I was Trouble, I'd be purring.

"Huh?" I was distracted.

She chuckles, knowing me well enough by now to suspect what my problem is. "What kind of a seed? Kiwi, apple,orange, pumpkin?"

"Ah, hmm, let’s see." I force myself to focus on the text. "Orange seed."

"Good. I hate apples. Anything else I should know?" she teases. She’s enjoying the fact that I always seem to have my nose stuck in a pregnancy book. When it’s not otherwise engaged.

"Yeah, morning sickness is going to start soon," I tease back, tossing the book to the side. I roll onto my back and pull her into my arms. Enough reading for now.

"Well, we’ll get to enjoy it together." Kels curls up into me, tucking her head under my chin.

"Oh, darlin’, we will. I am a sympathetic barfer. Anyone else hurls and so do I. So, make room by the toilet."

Kelsey bursts into laughter, her entire body shaking. "Deal, Tabloid. Thank you, sweetheart."

I shake my head frowning. "I’m not doing it to be nice." That's the truth. Nothing I hate more than puking. Part of why I didn't get drunk a lot in the past. I hated the morning after of alcohol. The morning after of other things I didn't mind quite so much.

"You said this pregnancy was going to be a partnership. You just meant it more literally than you would have liked." She taps my chin.

"Gee, thanks."

"We’ll get to see more of each other this way," Kels offers encouragingly.

"Oh, that’ll be fun." I know I sound doubtful. Enough of that subject, I’m getting nauseous just worrying about it. I lower my head and nibble on her ear. God, she is so tasty.

"Oh, Tabloid," she arches into my body, "you know, we might want to think about real, substantial food here shortly. Baby Roo and I are getting hungry."

"It’s too early for envie," I mumble against her neck. Reading provides useful information.

"I didn’t say we were craving anything. I said we were getting hungry."

"Splitting hairs." I kiss the hollow behind her ear, nuzzle her hair. "What do you want?" I am perfectly content with this meal.

"After you? Hmm, pizza, I think. Loaded."

I laugh a little, pulling back to look at her, brushing some hair away from her face. "And you say you’re not having cravings."

She opens the sheet, inviting me to get closer to her body. This is an invitation I do not – will not, could not – refuse. I sound like an adult Dr. Seuss book.

"Yeah, okay, I admit it," Kels says between kisses. "You gonna tell me no?"

"Do I look crazy?"

"Nah. You look pretty good to me there, stud."

Okay, I like that nickname a lot better coming from her than Brian. I pull her close. I can tell that her breasts have swelled recently. Looking forward to seeing where they end up. I place a kiss on the rise of one. "I could just eat you up."

"Ooo that’s nice," she whispers in my ear, her breath hot.

It certainly is. I groan and tighten my hold on her.

She winds her leg around mine, drawing us even closer together. This position reminds me of a bit earlier in the evening. I skipped ahead a few chapters in one of her pregnancy books and found some interesting line drawings. I convinced Kels that we needed to practice some of those positions so we don’t strain anything later.

Of course, we got a little excited and almost strained a few things now. I wouldn’t want to explain that type of injury at the emergency room.

Kels is licking my neck. I seem to recall something on page two-seventy that looked promising. Now, how do we do that without one of us being double-jointed?

Oh, please, tell me that wasn’t the doorbell I just heard. Kels stops what she was doing. Damn, she heard it too. I wasn’t imagining things.

"They’ll go away," I assure her.

They probably would have had the damn dog not gone off and started barking. Jesus, Kam, next time open the door for whoever’s there. Nothing like telling them we’re home.

"Ah, shit!" I grouse. "Damn dog!"

She pushes away from me, her face flushed. "Go answer the door and drop two dollars in the jar."

I get up, pulling on my robe, grumbling and cursing well under my breath. At this rate, I’m going to have the baby’s college education paid for by 2002.

* * *

When I hear Harper greet Robie and Rene, I dash into our bedroom for my robe. As I slip it on, I realize, God, I smell like sex. No, I reek of sex. And so does Harper. And she’s greeting her brother and sister-in-law.

Lord, take me now. I will hear about this forever from the Kitchen Conspiracy.

The Conspiracy. Our family. I pause, my hand covering my heart. I hope nothing’s wrong. We weren’t expecting Robie or Rene. I can't imagine why they’d show up without warning.

I tie the robe around my waist, take a quick glance at the family room – nothing I can do about it now - and hustle to the front door.

Harper is helping Robie with their luggage, a small suitcase and two garment bags. Rene steps around them and looks at me. "Oh, Robie, I think we interrupted something."

Robie blushes a bit when he looks at me. "Ah, gee, Kelsey, I’m sorry. We should have called first. But, we wanted to surprise you two, check out the new digs."

I smile ruefully. "We’re surprised." I step forward and embrace Rene. "It’s a wonderful one though. Everything is all right? The family? And where are the boys?"

"The boys are getting spoiled by their Grandmere and Grandpere."

Robie laughs and cuffs Harper on the shoulder. "If we’re lucky, she’ll keep them like she did your cat."

"Robie! Ca va!" Rene chastises. She turns her attention back to me. "Should we check ourselves into a hotel?"

"Don’t be silly. Come on. We’ll get you settled and then clean up a bit."

Robie snorts.

Harper elbows him in the gut. "Danser comme un d’inde la cendre chaude," she mutters.

I cock my head, my embarrassment momentarily set aside by confusion. "Robie is going to dance like an Indian and something about hot ashes?"

The three laugh. "It’s an old Cajun expression meaning Robie is in a big heap of trouble." She touches my arm. "We’re so sorry," Rene repeats.

"Hey! Why does she get an apology and I don’t. You two didn’t say nothing to me," Harper grouses, scratching Kam behind the ears. She seems to have gotten over her annoyance with him.

"Because you’d just bitch anyhow," Robie points out.

"Gimme a dollar." Harper holds her hand out.

"What? I gotta give you a buck because you didn’t finish getting laid?"

Please, Lord, I beg you, take me now.

Rene smacks her husband on the back of his head. "Possedé! Je dois te passé une calotte, Robert Francis Kingsley! Your mama would have your head for speaking that way."

I laugh at Rene’s threat to her husband. I bet she would smack him for talking that way.

She looks at me with infinite compassion I assume gained from being in the Kingsley clan for several years now. "Can you point the way to the guest room? I need to have a private chat with my husband for a few moments."

"Yeah and Harper can finish up hers with Kels," he snickers.

Harper pokes him in the chest. "Mine last longer than a few moments, Robie."

"Mon Dieu! It’s like they’re three again."

"Straight at the top of the stairs," I mutter.

"Come, Robie, before we completely wear out our welcome."

* * *

If I keep moving and don’t think about it, perhaps I won’t die of embarrassment. It’s not like her family didn’t know we were consenting adults but … I never expected them at the front door while we were consenting. I’m almost tempted to sleep in another bedroom tonight. Not that Harper would let me.

I begin straightening up the family room. I don’t want her family to see that I consented here and over there and then, most recently, here again. Not caring that it’s still a little cool out, I open all the French doors which lead to the sundeck. Then I open up one door to the patio. Gotta get some fresh air in here.

Harper is standing in the room laughing at me. "Chér, it’s all right. It’s just Robie and Rene."

"Just Robie and Rene? Just your favorite brother and his wife. Just the parents of my little boyfriend -"

She cuts me off. "You have a boyfriend?"

"Christian, remember?"

"Well, darlin’, Christian is proof enough that Robie and Rene have behaved in the past exactly like we were behaving this evening. Don’t worry about it." She comes and takes me in her arms. "Aren’t you the one who tried to get me to stop freaking out about my parents taking a nap together?"

"This is different," I mutter against her robe.

"How?"

"It’s me."

* * *

I am lathering up my hair again – having always followed the rules of lather, rinse, repeat – when I feel a cold draft hit my naked body. Standing in the doorway to the shower is an equally naked Harper. Her eyes are roaming proprietarily over my body and I can feel her as surely as if she were touching me right now.

"Need help?" She doesn’t wait for my reply. She steps into the shower with me, her hands going immediately into my newly shortened hair, massaging my scalp.

"Harper! I told you to … God, you’re good at that." I am such a wimp when it comes to her. And things were just getting good when we were so rudely interrupted.

Her now soapy hands drift down my neck and shoulders, sliding over heated skin. Pulling me toward her, Harper kisses me.

I give in until I come to my senses. I tug on her navel ring, knowing that will get her attention. "No, Harper. We need to only shower right now."

"Co faire?" she asks before attaching her mouth to my neck.

Why? That’s a very good question. "Harper," I protest, "if you ever hope to get lucky again, you better behave yourself right now."

I feel her laugh against me. Pulling back, her eyes are filled with mirth. "It’s not like it’s a secret anymore, Kels."

"It wasn’t one before."

"Oh really? Have we been an item of discussion for the Kitchen Conspiracy?"

Oh shit. Like her ego needs to know about what’s been said on this particular subject. I reach for the soap and begin scrubbing any body part I can reach right now. It’s unfortunate that it’s Harper’s chest. Scrubbing her there seems to take all the resolve out of me.

"What did you tell them, babe? You can tell me."

I stick my head under the shower jet. Perhaps running water will drown out her words and my libido.

No such luck.

* * *

An hour later, we’re all seated in the living room. I led Robie and Rene on a grand tour of the apartment while Kels fixed up something to eat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this flustered. Even when her mother broke in on us and she had me parade around in my birthday suit, she didn’t bat an eye. Or when Erik caught us on the couch that one time.

Oh, I get it. It was always about me before. This time, it was about her. My poor, sensitive, private Little Roo.

"So, what brings you up here?"

"Not that we aren’t glad to see you." Kelsey immediately interjects.

I take her hand and pull it into my lap. "Yeah," I add with absolutely no sincerity.

"We thought it’d be fun to take a long weekend and since we have a place to stay in New York …" Robie teases back, pulling Rene against him. "We figured you were the ideal romantic vacation spot."

"You’ve always been a cheap couillon." Oh, Mama would get me for calling my brother a bastard, even in jest.

Kelsey looks up at me. "Enough teasing, Tabloid, and you owe the jar another dollar. We’re glad you’re here. You two are always welcome in our home."

"Though, you won’t get to have that room much longer," I announce smugly. Hell, Kels, I hope you don’t mind if I let the cat out of the bag. I can’t help myself.

"Really? Why? Kels kicking you out of bedroom?"

"No," I toss a nut from a nearby bowl at his head, "that’s gonna be the baby’s room."

Robie shrugs, unconcerned. "So in a couple years we’ll have to sleep somewhere else."

"No, in a couple months." I bring Kels’ hand to my lips and kiss it. She doesn’t seem upset if the affectionate look she’s giving me is any indication.

Rene understands what I’m saying immediately. She squeals and leaps to her feet, cheering. Next thing I know, Kels is being ripped from my grasp and pulled into a hug. "Congratulations!"

It takes Robie a few seconds longer to get it. He smiles at me. "Well, good for you, Harper Lee! Seems like I’m batting a thousand lately."

I can’t believe this guy. Talk about an ego. "Like we know it was yours."

"It’s Harper’s," Kels says from over Rene’s shoulder.

"Well, she can’t take credit for Rene. Or can she?"

"Robie!" both our girls warn at the same time.

"Rene?" Kels leans back from the embrace and looks down at my sister-in-law’s stomach. "You’re pregnant?"

"I am. And I blame you. The dirty dancing on Mardi Gras seems to have been quiet potent."

* * *

I drop my head a bit, relax my neck then roll my head and shoulders to loosen them. While having Robie and Rene pop in last night was a great surprise, it did nothing for my ability to work today.

I had almost forgotten I was doing the Exposure news brief on the morning show today. This translates to me having to be at the studio at five a.m. which means I had to get up at four. I felt like an eight year old when I had to go to bed at ten last night, leaving the adults up and talking around the kitchen table. It was hard falling asleep without my favorite pillow. Kam simply doesn't do as a substitute.

The only upside to the whole thing is that I got a ton of work done today and I'm going to get out of here early. Harper, on the other hand, is stuck in pre- and post-production meetings and we'll be lucky to see her before eight tonight. Good thing I get along so well with her family.

The other downside - besides Harper having to work late - is our dog will be depressed because his playmate won't be home to take him to the park tonight. I'll have to make Robie substitute playmate for the evening. Hope he runs fast.

My phone rings, pulling me from my thoughts. I glance at the picture of Harper and me as I pick up the receiver. Oh yeah, I should take Robie and Rene out to dinner tonight to thank them for that.

"Stanton."

"Hey boss." Brian’s chipper voice is always nice to hear after a long day. There’s only one I like better. "Security has two people at the front desk downstairs asking for either you or Stud. They're claiming to be her brother and sister-in-law."

"Ah shit. I forgot to notify Security we were going to have guests in today. Damn. Listen, I still have a couple of things I need to tie up here. Can you go down and get them?"

"Sure. How will I recognize them? There's always a million people in that lobby."

"Well, if Security doesn't have them seated somewhere waiting, look for the guy who looks just like Harper."

"Ohmigod! Please, tell me you're kidding. My little heart couldn't take such teasing."

"Nope. Swear to God. They could be twins." I wait for him to answer. There is none. "Brian? Brian?" My connection dies and I go to my office door in time to see my ever so composed executive assistant dashing to the elevator. I chuckle, knowing by the time he gets to the lobby, he will be the total professional. He's simply has to burn off that rush of lust he just had.

Boy, do I know that feeling. All the Kingsleys inspire that baser instinct. Harper sure as hell brings it out in me.

I go back into my office and dig my wallet out of my purse and drop a couple of singles in my work swear jar. I was bad. It happens. I went into Harper's office the other day after she had come out of a production meeting and found a fifty in her jar. She said all the producers were in such a foul mood she felt the need to pay for the entire staff. She was sure the baby heard a lot of things it shouldn't have while I moved around the building.

I manage to get finished up right as Brian leads Robie and Rene to my office door. As he hustles them in, he gives me a wide eyed look over Robie's shoulder, biting down on his knuckle. I can only chuckle as I wave them in and shoo Brian away at the same time. I've got to get Robie out of here before my dear assistant jumps him.

"Hi, guys, give me just two ticks and I'll give you the ten cent tour of the place. Have a seat for a minute. Harper’s tied up so you’re stuck with me today."

I realize the phrase ‘tied up’ could lead to a teasing from these two that I don’t want to be a part of. I give them a quick glance out of the corner of my eye. They are either ignoring it or they missed it. Thank you, God!

"Kels, I'm impressed." Robie tosses himself down on my couch, the exact same way Harper would if she were here. I swear the Kingsleys are interchangeable. Rene knocks his feet off the coffee table and sits beside him.

"Why, thank you, Robie." I shut down a couple of items on my computer and prepare to leave.

"You know it occurred to me on the way up here that we have a celebrity in the family."

"Hardly." I roll my eyes. If I am one, it's not for any reason I want right now.

"No, really. I saw your picture down there and then again as we came up here. They only do that for celebrities, I know that much about show business."

"Robie, you've always had a celebrity in your family. Harper is a hell of a producer. With the Peabody win under her belt, her stock has gone through the roof around here. Langston won't admit it, but he knows she's a gold mine. CBS is going to do everything they can to hold on to her."

"Yeah, but it's not her face the viewing public sees every week."

"True, but faces are a dime a dozen. They could replace mine with any other blonde and probably spend a lot less money doing so. Besides, I’m nearly thirty-three. My days are numbered and I know it."

"Do you really think so?" Rene asks, her voice full of concern.

"Sure. Very few females achieve the status of a Barbara Walters in this business. I’ve already been in it for ten years. That’s a long time. Granted, my awards help too, but they don’t mean nearly as much as Harper’s. The producer makes the talent. The talent doesn't make the producer. They'd be hard pressed to replace Harper and they know it. Give her a few more years and another award or two and she’ll be able to write her own ticket for the next twenty-five years if she wants." I gather up my jacket and purse. "Ready?"

"Sure." Rene gets up, finding Robie holding out his hand to be hauled off the couch. "Get your own lazy butt up, buddy."

"Yeah," I go to Rene and wrap my arm around her shoulders, turning her to the door, "pregnant ladies here." I grin at Rene while Robie grumbles and gets up to follow us out. "I need to have Harper give him lessons in how to treat you."

"Are you getting spoiled?" Her tone is wistful.

"Absolutely rotten."

I try to break Harper out of a meeting to at least say hi, but she's in with Langston. Enough said. So I figure we're all better off if I just leave a note in her office. I let her know I'm with Robie and Rene and we'll catch up to her later. We all have cell phones, it's easy for us to find each other when she gets free.

After giving them the tour of the place, I give Brian a quick call to let him know I'm leaving for the day. I always hate it when either Harper or I have to leave work later than the other, but at least tonight I have great company. I can look forward to a nice evening that does not include going home and brushing the dog's teeth and making sure he gets his breath mints. I take that back. I can look forward to a nice evening that does not just include going home and taking care of stinky breath. If we let that slide even one day, Kam's breath is back to toxic levels.

* * *

Robie and I go down to Central Park early Saturday morning to shoot some hoops. This is how we passed the time through all of high school, college and Robie’s law school. Some days we wouldn’t say anything other than the score. Other days, we would debate anything and everything.

It was on a basketball court I told Robie I was gay. It was on one he asked for my help in proposing to Rene. We played a game after Christian was born. And threw up in the bushes because we had eaten far too much at IHOP.

We’ve worn out countless basketballs and a dozen pairs of shoes playing ball. So, it’s only natural we’re here now that he and Rene know Kels is pregnant.

Robie pushes past me and makes an easy lay up. I toss the ball back to him and attempt to impede his progress toward the basket this time.

"So, you’re gonna have a kid, huh?" he grunts, jumping up for a shot.

I swat it down. "That would be the case." I move outside of the key.

Robie tosses me the ball. "You think that’s fair to Kelsey?" he asks.

I stop dribbling the ball. "Ain? What do you mean by that? It was her idea, for God’s sake."

He shrugs. "No offense, Harper, but are you ready to become a parent? I mean, you’ve been screwing around for a long time now. You really ready to stop all that?"

I can’t believe this shit. "I have stopped all that. Since Thanksgiving. I haven’t so much as said ‘hello’ to another woman since I’ve been with Kels. Jesus, Robie, I can’t believe you’re giving me this attitude."

"It’s not an attitude, Harper. It’s just …" he looks slightly embarrassed "well, as far as I can tell, Kelsey doesn’t have anyone looking out for her."

I fold my arms across my chest. "I’m looking out for her." I am getting extremely angry. I would have thought we’d be celebrating.

"Besides you. I mean like a father, or an older brother."

"She and her dad aren’t very close. And she’s an only child."

Robie leans against the basketball goalpost. "Okay, then let me be her older brother for a minute."

"All right." I don’t suppose now is a good time to point out that Kels is older than both of us.

"What are your intentions toward her? Besides sleeping with her and having a child with her?"

I throw the basketball to Robie. "Is that what this is all about? You want me to get married? What? You want to get back at me for that toast I gave you two?" I’m feeling a little better now. This I can handle. I was planning on bringing this up myself.

"I’m serious, Harper. You gonna marry her? Make her some promises before God and your family?" He’s starting to get angry with me now. "I think she deserves that. At least."

I throw my arms around Robie and hug him tight. I kiss his cheek, noting that he needs to shave. "I love you, Robie." I step back and smile. "But, damn, you really did steal my thunder. I was hoping to borrow Rene for awhile today and have her approve the ring I want to get Kels."

I watch the anger drain from him. "Yeah? Why not me?"

"Because Rene barely escaped getting the ring you found in a Cracker Jack box."

He snorts. "It would have saved us a helluva lot of money for the down payment on the house. So, when are you proposing?"

"Easter, in front of the family." I dribble the ball a few times. I have to ask. "You guys still gonna make me sing that song?"

Robie laughs evilly. "Oh, yes … it’s perfect. You know the rules."

"Yeah, well, it was always funnier when it was one of you guys."

"Yup, c’est la vie."

I suppose that’s the way life is. "Think Mama will be happy?"

Robie shakes his head at me. "Uh, yeah. I think she loves Kels as much as she does Rene, who has Cajun in her. She’s going to be thrilled. She’s finally filled her kitchen."

"Hey," it occurs to me to ask him, "does Rene ever tell you what they talk about?"

He snorts. "Hell, no. She loves to torment me instead."

"You think they’re planning our future in there?"

"You know it, Harper. By the way, you lesbians get all the breaks."

I look at my brother quizzically. It’s unusual to hear him give a name to my sexual preference. "How so?"

"Well, when you propose, Mama will be ecstatic and think it’s the best thing to happen."

"It’s because she’s on that damn committee. But she was the same way about you and Ren."

He gives me a highly skeptical look. "Well, if Ren had been knocked up when I proposed, Papa would have filled me with buckshot and -"

I give Robie a gentle punch to his chest. "A ca oui! Kels is not ‘knocked up’, you uncouth heathen. And you boys had something to do with it too."

"Don’t tell Mama that!" he protests, holding up his hands. "I want her mad at you, not me."

I sober. "Well, we’ll work out a way to make the announcement without any of us getting in trouble." Before we start to play again, there’s something I need to say to Robie. "Look, I really hope the baby is yours. Kels is in love with Christian, and you know how I feel about Clark. And, well, hell, you’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember. I could only hope our child would be a lot like you."

He smiles. "I love you, too, Harper, but, this kid is all yours."

* * *

"Oh, now this is too cool!" Robie exclaims as he enters the luxury suite at Yankee Stadium. He looks exactly like Christian when he grins.

I laugh at him, stripping off my team jacket and tossing it down on one of the many couches. "Glad you like it. I have season tickets in a field box behind home plate, but I'm only allowed to use those when I can get Harper to come to a game with me. Otherwise I try to get this box."

He turns away from the window that overlooks the field. "Why?"

I shrug. "Harper prefers it that way and so do I, really. Being kidnapped changes your perspective about safety a bit, you know?"

"Yeah, well, thank God, I don't, but I can sympathize. I'm sorry that happened to you, Kelsey." He comes over to me and rubs my arms gently. "And you know our whole family is there for you if you need us."

I nod, looking into a pair of eyes that mirror those of my partner. I find myself giving Robie a long hug. "You guys have no idea how much you've done for me already."

"Well, you took Harper off our hands. We actually owe you," he teases, releasing me from his embrace.

I slap his arm. "You are so bad. And very mean to your sister."

"She started it."

Yup, they're still three years old. Probably always will be too.

I laugh as the door opens and the staff comes in. Waiters carry in trays which will be set up into a small buffet and a bartender begins setting up the corner. Robie looks like the world has been handed to him on a silver platter.

I'm enjoying my day out with Robie. Rene asked to borrow Harper today so she could get an opinion on a piece of jewelry she wants to buy Robie for their anniversary. I was amazed at how readily Harper agreed but I guess I shouldn't have been. Harper loves her brother and she'd do anything for him. Even go shopping, the supreme sacrifice. I guess the next time I want to take her with me I'm gonna have to tell her it's for Robie.

I will say that her timing was wonderful. Five minutes after she and Rene left the workmen showed up. They had to install Harper's new grill on the terrace and deliver the furniture I ordered. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I had more or less resigned myself to the fact that it wouldn't be. Now it is. And I get to enjoy a Yankees game to boot. All in all, not a bad day so far.

Then she comes in: Gixane, the studio photographer and the woman who handles all of the publicity shots for Exposure. She is one of the most talented artists I've ever had the pleasure of working with, but she tends to be a tad odd. Not odd in a bad way, but odd in an artist sort of way. I've become accustomed to her and I really like her, but I'm worried about poor Robie. He doesn't have an artistic bone in his body, God love him.

"Kelsey, Langston is going to do a release about you being a Yankees fan so we need a few shots of you at the game," she informs me while she sets up her equipment.

Oh so he chose this game when I'm here with Harper's brother and not Harper. Some fucking things never change, morals clause or not. I shake my head. I know there's no sense in arguing. "Fine, but you'll have to get Mr. Kingsley's okay before you shoot any photos of him."

"I have the standard release." She digs one out of her bag and hands it and a pen to Robie.

I look to him and find him looking like the cat who ate the canary. Oh hell, that's right, he's an attorney. He has standard releases for lunch every day. This should be fun to watch. I'm betting Robie can keep Gixane from shooting any photos of him by finding enough loopholes in our 'standard' release. It's not revenge against Langston for this little photo stunt, but it's a start.

* * *

I am completely impressed by how easy it was to get out of the apartment this morning. Rene knows how to spin a yarn, that’s for sure. I’ll have to keep that in mind in the future.

Rene wants to walk down to Tiffany and Company but I won’t let her. It’s a little over a mile and she’s in a delicate condition. I almost feel as protective of her as I do of Kels. We hop a cab and travel the twenty-three blocks to the store.

Shopping at Tiffany’s is an experience. It screams money, old money, lots of old money. The sales consultants – is there anyone in the United States who is not a consultant nowadays? – are all extremely good-looking and well-dressed individuals. Oh, and they actually know something about whatever it is they’re selling.

"I hope you like it," I say as I guide Rene over to the ring I’ve decided on. I think it’s pretty spectacular, but before I pay a small fortune for it, I want to get a second opinion. One not from a consultant looking for a commission.

We are greeted by Janet, the woman I’ve been working with on selecting a ring. "Ms. Kingsley, nice to see you again."

"Hello, Janet."

"Is this the lucky lady?"

Rene blushes and shakes her head. "No, I’m her sister-in-law."

"Too bad, this is a beautiful ring." She bends down behind the counter and pulls out a tray of rings. From it, she selects the one I’ve decided on. She handles it carefully and lays it down on a black velvet mat along with a jeweler’s loop.

Rene gasps. "Oh, Harper!" She reaches out and picks it up, examining it carefully. It’s a platinum band with nine diamonds, the center one being a round brilliant-cut diamond two carats in size.

"The center stone has a clarity of VVS1," Janet supplies. "Other than Flawless, it’s the best you can buy. Only an expert can detect the flaws on this stone and only then when looking from the bottom."

"Nice."

"The color grade is E, which is considered colorless. That’s especially important when you have a platinum band. Only yellow gold is forgiving to a less than colorless stone."

Rene nods and studies the eight surrounding diamonds. "What about these?"

"The four diamonds closest to the center stone are a princess cut. They are a half carat in weight, VVS2 in clarity, F in color. The four outer diamonds are the same except for being an oval cut."

Rene looks at me with apprehension. "Dare I ask how much?"

I gesture for Janet to go ahead and say it. I can’t seem to yet. Amex is gonna love me. Thank God I get frequent flyer miles with every purchase at least.

"With tax, fifty-five thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars. We’ll do the engraving at no extra charge."

Shaking her head, Rene laughs. "I would hope so!"

"So what do you think? Will she like it? Is it the right one for Kels?"

"Harper, it’s perfect. If Kels doesn’t love it, I’ll take it."

I leer. "Only if I get you too." I watch with much amusement as a blush graces my sister-in-law’s features.

"Harper, if you treated me near as well as you treat her, I’d agree in a heartbeat."

Hmm, I don’t like the sound of that at all. Not that I’m not flattered and not that I don’t adore Rene. Hell, had I never met Kelsey, I would still be partially in love with my sister-in-law. But, I don’t like her being willing to go with me for any reason whatsoever. Which means I need to have a little chat with Robie. "Chér, is Robie not treating you right? You can tell me anything, you know that."

I suddenly find my arms full as Rene launches herself at me. "Harper, you should have fallen in love long ago! You’re absolutely priceless nowadays."

"I wasn’t before?" I grumble.

Rene starts to reply but laughter overwhelms her. Looking over her shoulder, I speak to Janet. "I’ll take it."

"How do you want it sized?"

Disengaging Rene’s arms from around my neck, I began feeling each of her fingers, searching for the right one.

"What are you doing? That tickles!" Rene tries to squirm free.

"Stop it," I chastise. My fingers circle her right ring finger. Yup. That’s it. I pull it toward Janet. "That’s the right size."

Janet is a professional and she doesn’t laugh at me. Instead, she quickly measures Rene’s finger and writes down the measurement. "And how do you want it engraved?"

I reach into the pocket of my khakis and pull out the slip of paper I have the inscription written on. I hand it over and wait apprehensively while Janet reads it. I wonder if she reads French. She smiles at me. "We’ll have it ready next week."

I hand her my Amex. "Thanks."

"What did you write?" Rene strains to read through the back of the slip of paper.

"Rene is a very nosy person," I lie.

"Brat."

"Nope, not that either."

* * *

Kels and Robie aren't back from the game when we get arrive home. But I do find new furniture and the world's most beautiful gas grill on the terrace. I love this woman. She knows me. We'll be having steaks tonight. Gotta break in the new toy.

Rene lets out a whistle from the doorway. "You got a good thing going here, Harper."

"You don't need to tell me that, Ren. I got damn lucky."

"I'd say you both did." She steps out and comes to inspect my new plaything. "Is there anything you couldn't cook on that thing? It's immense."

I sweep Rene up in my arms and hold her up beside the cooking rack. She'd almost fit all the way across it, probably would if I took her shoes off. "Nope, everything fits," I tease.

Shrieking, she swats at my arms. "Put me down! I can't believe you did that!"

I place her carefully back down and kiss her cheek. "You asked. So I was thinking we need to barbecue tonight. What do you think?"

She runs a hand over the hood of the grill. "I was kinda hoping that we could keep Robie from seeing this at all. He's gonna want one now. He can't let his little sister have a better new toy than the ones he has."

"Well, I'll always have had mine first."

Rene gives me a playful shove. "You two and your competitiveness."

"It's a proud Kingsley tradition." The ringing of my cell phone interrupts our banter. My heart speeds up, instantly worried about Kels. I wonder when - if ever - this phase will pass for me. Yet I know Robie is exactly like me and would die before he let something happen to Kels while they’re together. "Kingsley," I answer.

"Hello, Harper? This is Matthew Stanton returning your phone call."

"Ah, Mr. Stanton, thank you for getting back to me so quickly."

"Call me Matt, remember? What can I do for you?"

I signal to Rene that I will be a minute and I wander over to a more private spot on the terrace. "Well, Matt, I have a question I want to ask you."

<fade out>

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