Parental Advisory Rating: L, AC

Break out those V-Chips, everyone!

Credits:

Created, Produced, Directed and Written:

Fanatic and TNovan

There is a reason why some people are in front of the camera and others of us remain behind it. As I watch Kels mingle with the celebrity types in the room, I know why my lovely spouse is part of the former group. She simply captivates everyone she comes in contact with. Her smile is contagious, her bearing more than regal, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s drop-dead gorgeous. Well, at least to me she is. And I’m the only one who counts.

The formal suit she had made for the Peabody Awards luncheon hides her pregnancy perfectly. Except to my eyes. I can see the swell which represents our children, our future together. I recognize the glow about her that is more than her alone. I know why she is wearing the cameo nestled against her skin.

I know her by heart.

Kels is at ease around the multitude of still and video cameras that are constantly turned on her and the other celebrities in the room. I know it helps her confidence that the awards aren’t broadcast. So there won’t be a lot of people studying the tapes who might discover our secret. The awards banquet is, however, documented and photographed like there is no tomorrow for the archives.

I also understand why Erik had her on his arm as often as possible. God, I wish I could have her on mine. She makes social interactions more pleasant. She knows how to flatter people without seeming false. She knows when to joke or flirt or offer an insightful comment. She’s great with people in these type of settings.

I am a producer. We’re not expected to have amazing social skills. We’re to havesuperior organizational skills, a competitive nature and a willingness to do anything to get the story. People don’t flock to us at parties. Except the executives. They know we’re the power behind the Talent.

I watch her laugh and nod at something said and I realize two things. One, I’m staring and I need to stop. And, two, I’ve barely heard a word our former boss from KNBC has said in the last ten minutes. I give my best professional smile to Chambers, like I have a clue as to what he’s talking about. It can’t be very interesting. He wasn’t before.

He takes another sip of his scotch, taking a moment’s break. "Just sorry we lost you two. Wish we could have kept you, but I knew it was only a matter of time until you got a better offer."

"Well, at least we got you a Peabody before we left." KNBC will receive the Peabody and Chambers will give the acceptance speech on our behalf since we don’t work there any longer. Even still, it’s a huge feather in my cap to have produced the segment. It’s what earned me the spot on Exposure. And it’s what will one day help get me a GM spot at a station.

"You most certainly did," Chambers agrees. "You two are dynamite together. Does CBS realize how lucky they are?"

Okay, he wasn’t this friendly when we worked for him. I think the Peabody and the scotch are working in my favor right now. "They seem to. We get good stories. Our numbers are good. Kels’ Q rating is high. You and I both know that it’s the numbers that count."

I sip my own drink, a merlot, and glance back over to where Kels is standing. She has her arm looped through Martin Sheen’s. His show, ‘The West Wing’ has garnered a Peabody this year. The place is swarming with lots of famous faces from L.A. Kels knows most of them already due to her relationship with Erik.

God, I really do wish she could be on my arm.

A chime sounds indicating the end of the cocktail hour and the beginning of lunch. This is good news. At least I get to sit with Kels at the table. I make my polite goodbye to Chambers and hustle over to our seats. My girl joins me soon.

"Hi. I am so glad to sit down. My lower back is killing me."

"I’ll take care of it later for you," I whisper before our tablemates join us. Even though we won for our work at KNBC, CBS has us at their table since we’re their property now. We’re joined by Langston, Kevin Daly – the head of the network news, John Lawson Roth III – the president of the network, and three people from the University of Georgia as the Peabodys are administered by the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication there.

The Peabody Awards are named after George Foster Peabody who was a banker and philanthropist. Sounds kinda like Papa to me. Hmm, I wonder if one day Kels and I might be overseeing the Jonathan and Cecile Kingsley Awards.

The Peabody is designed to recognize achievement and public service by those in the news industry. It’s not enough that the piece be well done, but it needs to have a meaningful impact on society as a whole. Ours was chosen, I believe, because it helped uncover the simmering discontent in an armed militia group. We were able to help bring about the mostly peaceful resolution of the situation. While Kels and I were nearly casualties, it did not turn into another Waco. Thank God.

For a moment, I am transported back to Omaha.

I feel her touch on my arm. "Harper?"

I look over and blink, clearing away the memories. "Yeah?"

"Where did you go?"

I shake my head. "I just zoned out." No need to spoil our day with bad memories. "You know me and formal events."

"Well, you have two weeks to get over that particular aversion," she teases back. That’s my girl. She always brings me back to the important things in life.

Matt Lauer, the host for the ceremony today, steps up to the podium to a warm round of applause. I wonder if his morning show had to vote to send him here today. And where the hell is Katie? She’s a lot cuter. He does a short welcoming speech before the wait staff of the Waldorf Astoria spread through the ballroom, distributing the first course of the luncheon.

I look over to a nearby table and smile at Ken Burns. Another one of his documentaries has won a Peabody. He’s gotta have a closet full of them by now. Kels is lifting her glass in Peter Jennings’ direction.

Personally, I hope to meet Bill Cosby. He’s only a table over. How come we couldn’t sit with him instead of the suits from the network?

A huge laugh wells up from another table and I realize that the entire cast of the ‘Sopranos’ is having a grand old time together. Mandy Patinkin has wandered over to them and is returning their ribald teasing.

On the table are chocolate replicas of the Peabody Award medals. We won’t get an actual medal today – Chambers will get it. But, I’ve ordered a pair for Kels and I, and one for Jims too. I wonder how the orange-haired kid is doing these days? I should give him a call soon.

In the meantime, I think I’m gonna eat some chocolate. And wish I was holding my girl’s hand.

* * *

The phone rings and he barks in my ear. "Stanton! My office! Now!" Click.

I look at the phone. "Yes, boss," I chuckle as I slip on my sweater. It helps conceal that which is becoming more and more evident everyday. Besides, Langston keeps his office like an icebox. He tries to make it as uncomfortable as possible for people to visit him there. It’s a strategy that works.

I rap on the door, then shove my hands in my pockets to keep them warm. My sweater is closed in front of me. I think I look presentable to the big boss.

"Come!" he barks again.

He really doesn’t sound happy and the hair stands up on the back of my neck. I have a feeling I’m about to get my hand slapped. Hard.

"Close the door."

Yup. It’s gonna be a hard slap. I wait for him to look up from his computer and tell me to take a seat.

He doesn’t bother to look at me. "Sit."

Like Kam, I obey.

He finally turns his attention to me after letting me get a slight chill first. You would think I’m a snake-haired Gorgon with the look I’m getting. Mama would warn him about his face freezing like that if he’s not careful.

He pulls out a file and tosses it to me. "These are various still shots of you since you’ve arrived." He gives me a moment to examine them. "Am I not keeping you and Kingsley busy enough? Or is the food just that much better in New York?"

Oh shit. He’s noticed the weight gain. I didn’t think it was that bad. Sure, I’ve been leaving my jacket unbuttoned lately. But the rest of it has been concealed pretty easily, I thought. And I haven’t really gained anything in my face. "Well, I have been through a lot…" Damn, I didn’t think I’d have to deal with this yet.

"Save it." He waves his hand, as if erasing my answer. "If I didn’t know better, based on all the signs, I’d say you’re pregnant. But since you’re sleeping with Kingsley, that’s not possible, is it?"

I bite my lip and watch him watch me. Finally, I smile. Perhaps if I’m happy about it, this will go a little better. "No. You’re right. I’m pregnant."

"Son-of-a bitch!" He slams his hands down on his desk and pushes himself up behind it. He is now glowering down at me. I feel like a kindergartener. "Are you out of your ever-lovin’ mind? Are you trying to destroy your credibility entirely? I mean, fuck, Stanton, if you don’t want a career in broadcast journalism, just resign. Jesus H. Christ on a stick -

I need to stop this tirade before lightning comes through the roof and fries him. "Of course not, but Harper and I wanted a family."

"Goddammit, Kelsey! Unmarried and pregnant! If anyone gets wind of this, you’re finished. Little white women in the Midwest don’t want to see some New York dyke anchor getting personal with a turkey baster!"

"I don’t see why it has to be an issue. I have the means and the ability to have children. There is no need for my sexuality to be mentioned. In fact, having children generally means one is heterosexual. The network should be loving this."

He shakes his head angrily. He’s frothing a bit, in fact. "Did it ever occur to you two to adopt? Lots of couples like you do that. Hell, Rosie O’Donnell has adopted three children and she’s a single mother. We could work with that: save the world, provide a good home to kids who need it. It would be an easy angle."

"We wanted our own children and I wanted to have a baby." I get to my feet and stand behind the chair, resting my hands on it. "I wanted to give birth, to bring life into this world, and I’m going to do it."

"Obviously!" he growls at me. He begins pacing behind his desk, running his hand through his close cropped hair. "All right, not one damn word about this. Or about your relationship with Kingsley. Do you hear me?" he warns. "And I want something for the PR department from you two by nine a.m. tomorrow. You had better find a damn good story here too. And you tell that stud of yours if I see anything other than tight head shots of you for the next what - six or seven months - I’ll kick both your asses."

I draw a deep breath. "All right." I nod. "Are we finished?"

"For now. We’ll talk about maternity leave when I cool down."

* * *

Something’s wrong.

I’m not sure what it is. Kels certainly isn’t talking to me. She’s barely looking at me. And, normally, we pseudo-snuggle on the ride home from the studio – as much as the Range Rover allows. Tonight, she’s way over on her side of the car.

"Little Roo?" I call softly, turning up Madison Avenue. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. Just a rough day." She brushes back hair from her eyes. "I’m tired."

I’m not buying that and Kels didn’t even try to sell it very hard. "Right. Now, sweetheart, tell me the truth. I can handle it. I have broad shoulders, you know?" I pat one as a visual reminder.

"Langston," she sighs his name. "He really railed on me today about being pregnant. We have one very unhappy boss."

No shit. I can’t see him being happy. Personally, I thought we’d tell him by sending him an invite to the baby shower, sometime near the end of the year. "You told him?"

"I didn’t exactly tell him, Tabloid. He was doing some photo comparisons and he noticed the weight gain. He called me on it."

"Son of a bitch," I mutter. "Run a tab for me, sweetie." Hmm, that didn’t even earn me a smile. "What happened? Are you okay?" I would really hate to have to kill him, but I will if he hurt my girl.

"I’m okay. I just didn’t care for his tone. He made me feel like I was doing something wrong."

The sadness in her voice breaks my heart. I reach over and take hold of her hand and pull it into my lap. "You’ve done everything right."

"I know. And don't you think for one moment I regret the choices we've made."

Ah, thank you, sweetheart for saying that. I was a little worried there for a moment. I squeeze her hand in gratitude.

"It's just..." Kels shakes her head and stares out the window, watching the Manhattan traffic. "Let's say my hormones are out of control and call it even. The last thing I need right now is a war with the boss."

"Darlin’, that’s why you have a producer. I am your big, bad assed champion. Even if I wasn’t madly in love with you, I’d never let the brass manhandle you this way. I just have extra incentive." I bring her hand up to my lips and kiss her palm. "Here’s my idea for tonight. How about we go home and put on some Nina Simone? I’ll get the steaks out of the freezer and fire up the barbecue. Then you and I will sit outside and enjoy the last of this beautiful day. Later, I’ll carry you into our bedroom and make love to you like it was the first time all over again. How does that sound?"

"That sounds like the best offer I’ve had all day."

"I hope – for their sake – it was the only offer you’ve had all day."

There’s the smile I was hoping for.

* * *

I roll over and look at Harper. She’s sleeping soundly and she looks so relaxed. It’s nice to see her like this. It’s not often that she is able to completely rest. She’s usually working on something in her sleep. In fact, some of her best ideas come to her in her dreams.

I kiss her shoulder and slip out of bed. Glancing at the clock, I see I have time to have breakfast and relax a bit before I have to get ready for my doctor’s appointment.

Settling down in the kitchen with the paper and my breakfast, I’m about to take my first bite when something causes me to look up. In the doorway, I find one sleepy television news producer. She’s so very not awake, her hair is falling over her eyes, her T-shirt has been put on backwards, and she is swaying a bit.

"What are you doing up?" she grumbles, her voice thick with sleep. She staggers to the coffeepot and flips the switch. We prepare it the night before and set the timer, but we’re up two hours earlier than normal.

"Dunno." I shrug, sipping my juice, paging through the Times.

Her head swings away from the coffee she’s watching drip into the pot. It never brews fast enough for her in the morning. Normally she snaps at it until it finishes. This morning, she doesn’t have the energy to do so. "Something wrong? Other than the fact Langston is an idiot?"

"No, sweetheart. I’m fine. I just couldn’t sleep. It’s a pregnant thing. Maybe the babies are training me early."

She crosses over and drops to her knees. She gently positions me so that I am facing her, and then she lifts up my shirt. "Hey, didn’t we discuss this one other time?" I run my fingers through her hair as she continues. "I told you, you need to let your Mommy rest. She already works hard taking care of you. Besides when she doesn’t sleep, I don’t sleep." She gives my belly little kisses and promptly dozes off with her head in my lap.

That can’t be comfortable. My poor baby. "Harper, honey." I chuckle a bit when she wakes and looks at me, bleary-eyed. "Go back to bed. I’ll get you up in a couple of hours.

"No, no, I’m awake now," she protests. I don’t have the heart to tell her how unconvincing she sounds. "I’ll have some coffee and take Kam for a run in the park."

"He’ll love that. Maybe you should let him pull you on your roller blades."

"That’s a good idea." She climbs to her feet and heads for the coffee which has sputtered, signaling it’s finished brewing. "You want to go?"

"No. I have a PR piece to write."

* * *

Glancing at my watch, I realize Dr. McGuire is running a bit late this morning. Not that it’s any big deal. If he takes care of all his patients the way he does my girl, I’ll wait for him all day. Besides, we’re doing okay here together.

I’m holding Kels’ hand, as is our standard operating procedure during the visits. I am so glad we have a doctor who is fine with our relationship. Not that we’d go to one that wasn’t. But, it makes it so much easier to be affectionate and not worry. I am gently rubbing her hand, trying to get her to relax. Langston really pissed her off yesterday and she’s now gone from despondent to infuriated.

I’ve got to get her in a better mood before we get to the office. Otherwise that violence in the workplace video they made us watch at orientation won’t hold a candle to what my girl might do. "Hey, Kels?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you hear about the guy who was stopped by the state trooper the other day?"

She looks at me, trying to determine if I’m making small talk or filling her in on a story. Racial profiling on the NJ freeways has been a hot topic lately. "No. What happened?"

"Well, this guy got stopped for speeding and not pulling over right away when the cop lit him up. So the trooper walks up to the car," Kels is smiling now, realizing it’s a joke by my tone of voice, "and the guy rolls down the window. The trooper says ‘I turned on my lights quite a ways back there. Why didn’t you stop?’" Kels rolls her eyes but remains silent, waiting for me to finish. "And the guy says, ‘Well, you see, officer, my wife ran off with a trooper a few weeks ago. When I saw you, I thought you were trying to bring her back.’"

She bursts out laughing and I feel much better. I think she does too. That’s my girl.

"You tell the worst jokes." She says it in such a sweet voice that it almost sounds like a compliment. Almost.

"Then why are you laughing?"

"I have no idea." She strokes my cheek tenderly.

Kevin enters and finds us laughing and smiling. "You two having a good time?"

"We always seem to have a good time here." Kels gives me a playful push from her spot on the table.

"That’s nice to know." Doogie takes his seat next to Kels and begins his exam. As his hands move gently over her belly, he chuckles. "Maybe I should institute a cover charge then. How you feeling, Kelsey?"

"I dunno." She shakes her head. "Should I feel pregnant? Because I don’t yet."

"You will soon, especially with twins."

"About the only thing I’ve felt is moody."

"Hmm … hormones." He looks at me for confirmation and I give a slight nod, which earns me a poke from my wife.

"I’ve been nice to you. Relatively."

"Relatively," I agree. This earns me her tongue stuck out at me. If Kevin weren’t in the room, I’d teach her a lesson about doing that.

"Well, Kelsey, right now the babies are growing and moving but you can’t feel them yet. That will change in short order. I suspect, though, you’re noticing the weight gain."

"Me and a few other people," Kelsey humphs. Great doc, I just got her in a good mood.

Kevin gives me a reproving look. "Harper, it’s very natural and necessary."

I am insulted. "It’s not me, doc. I think she looks gorgeous, more beautiful than ever." I kiss her forehead, as if to prove my sincerity.

"It’s true. Harper’s been great."

"Oh, okay. Good to hear." I give the doc a look meant to intimidate. It doesn’t seem to work. "Ignore everyone else. In this matter, only Harper and I count." He gives her shoulder a gentle rub. "Welcome to your second trimester, Kels. Things are going to start getting better for you, I promise. You should be seeing the end of morning sickness soon, if not already. The bloated, cranky feeling should be ending too. You shouldn’t be as tired as before. And, the happy hormones will take over. Most women feel vitalized during their second trimester. But, I want you to be careful not to overdo it, okay?"

"She won’t," I answer for her.

"Ready to add to your album?" He squirts some gel on Kels’ stomach, causing her to flinch. That stuff really is cold. But, we’re at my favorite part of the exam: more baby pictures.

He moves the wand over her stomach and studies the monitor. It still makes no damn sense to me, I don’t know how he can identify anything in there. Next he puts on his stethoscope on her stomach and listens intently for a few moments. He pockets it and then adjusts a knob on the ultrasound. Suddenly, there’s a noise which sounds like a cross between the roar of the ocean and horses running. "Those are your babies’ heartbeats."

Oh my God.

Heartbeats. Little tiny heartbeats.

Kels is staring at the monitor and listening. The tears streaking down her cheeks tell me she’s feeling the same way I am.

"Listen to that, Little Roo. We did that." I wipe her tears away and give her a kiss. "Oh God, Kels, listen to that."

She can only nod, too overwhelmed with emotion to speak.

I close my eyes to concentrate on the sounds that confirm our babies are healthy and very real. This is the sound of family.

* * *

We enter the studio still on the adrenaline rush from hearing the heartbeats. I have the newest pictures and I can actually see little noses, chins, hands, feet and other things now. Our little ones are still tiny, only three inches long at this point, but they look human. Big improvement. I glance down at Kels’ stomach, amazed that she can carry two lives within her.

This is way too cool.

And I heard their hearts beating today. McGuire says that the chances of a miscarriage decrease dramatically now that we can hear them. Thank God.

Wow.

I am about to drop to my knees in front of Kels when she suddenly she takes off down the hall.

What the hell?

A glance confirms my suspicion. Langston is twenty paces ahead and Cruise Missile Stanton is aimed directly at him.

Oh shit.

I try to casually run after her. It’s not possible.

Kels, honey, I know you’re upset, but don’t do anything you’ll regret later. Like get us fired.

My girl is standing in front of Langston. Her anger makes her almost as tall as our executive producer. "Here’s your fucking press release," she growls, slapping a file in his chest. "It’s short, simple and truthful. After my ordeal in Los Angeles, I decided to have children."

He takes the folder a tad stunned she would speak to him like this.

So am I, quite frankly. Kels is normally the consummate professional. I stand here mute while she continues.

"I won’t turn my children into a story for you. But if I did, it would be totally honest! That means it would include Harper because I’m lucky to have her. Our children are very lucky to have her as their mother too. I won’t have you or anyone else tell them differently." She turns on her heel and stalks away.

"Stanton!" Langston calls.

She stops, turns and glares. "After June third, it’ll be Kingsley! We’ll talk about my maternity leave when I’ve cooled down." She snorts before turning once again and walking away.

Wow. That was a full-fledged diva Talent tantrum. She was good. I gotta remember to not piss her off.

Langston looks to me for commiseration. Not in this lifetime, bud. I know who I go home to. I give him a bewildered grin and a shrug as I fan myself with our new baby pictures. "Hormones," I offer before walking away myself.

Wow, Kels.

* * *

I decide to give Kels a little space. Besides, if I go in now, she might rip all my clothes off and have her way with me on her couch.

What the hell am I doing in my office?

I’m about to pay her a visit when my cell phone rings. "Kingsley," I give my standard greeting.

"Is that my little sister?"

"Bite me."

Robie laughs heartily. "I think not."

"What do you want? You’re interrupting all the important stuff I’m doing here." I kick back in my chair, swinging my legs up onto my desk.

"You know how Mama feels about feet on the desk," he teases.

Damn him. "So, did it work out?" I decide to take the proverbial bull by the horns.

"I have the papers all drawn up."

I smile broadly. "You know, you’re not as bad as everyone says you are."

"Bite me," he echoes.

"I think not."

* * *

"I saw that." She looks up from her book and smiles at me. God, she’s adorable.

"You saw nothing," I tell her. I give Kam a good scratch behind the ear as he chomps down the French fry I just gave him. For road food, French fries are the best. I know it and now Kam knows it too. Good doggie.

"I saw you feed him that stick of grease. You can poison yourself, Tabloid, but the dog and the babies are off limits." She glances down at the map spread across her lap. "Take the next left."

I do as I’m told and ten minutes later we’re pulling into the driveway. It takes another five minutes to drive to get to the house. "Whoa!" I look through the windshield at the house. House is a bit understated a word. Mansion fits.

She smirks. "Not quite the trailer you pictured is it?"

"Do you remember everything Ihave ever said to you?" This was the same statement I teased her with when I took her home for Thanksgiving. Our first time. I wonder if Matt has a porch swing. I like kissing my girl on those.

"Most of it," she replies, interrupting my less than chaste thoughts.

"I could be in real trouble here." I snicker. That statement fits both my thoughts and our conversation. I’m very proud of myself.

"You still owe me the bayou story."

"Which one?" I shut off the ignition and climb out of the truck.

Over the roof, Kels replies, "One that involves you, another naked person and a shotgun."

"I ask again: which one?" I slip Kam’s collar off over his head. I wave him out of the truck before collecting our luggage. I am not quite sure why Kels brought so many clothes for a weekend, but, I’m not about to argue with Hormone Girl. She can bring her whole damn closet and it’s okay by me. Me? I brought a duffle bag. It’s only half full.

Kam runs immediately to Kels and sits next to her, looking up at her, tail thumping the ground hard.

"Take a break." She gives him the hand signal which releases him. He takes off to take care of business. Good idea, Kam. I need to do that soon too. It was a long two hour drive out to Matt’s place in the Hamptons.

Setting our bags on the ground, I lean against the truck. I watch the dog run around, stretching his legs and getting to know the lay of the land. Kels makes her way around the vehicle and leans against me. I hug her gently, glad we have a relaxing weekend to look forward to. This has been a bitch of a week.

Finally Kam returns and settles down. His tongue is lolling out the side of his mouth and he is looking ready for a drink of water. I guess it’s time to go in.

I grab our bags, slapping away Kels’ hands when she tries to pick up one. "Let me, baby. You’re carrying enough as it is."

That earns me a kiss on the cheek.

When the door opens, Matt steps out and gives Kels a long hug which, to my great surprise, she returns. I’m really glad to see them getting along, even if he is having a hard time with us as a concept. He finally looks at me and smiles warmly. "Harper, how are you?" He takes one of the bags from me.

Years in corporate America have made him polite. I am grateful for that. "I’m fine, sir." He lifts his brow to correct me. "Matt," I amend softly. I shake his hand which he offers to me freely.

"Good. Glad to hear it." He pushes back the door to make room for us to enter. "Come on in. We’ll get you two settled and then we’ll meet up in the family room." Kam is being a very good boy and staying right by Kels’ side. She must have warned Matt we were bringing him because he doesn’t even blink when he see the dog.

When we enter the house, I decide immediately we’re gonna have to come out here as often as Kels wants. This is very nice. It’s everything you hear about mansions in the Hamptons. It’s huge, nestled on acres of private property, and has a guest house right behind it. We could make good use of that during the summer. I may as well admit it. "Nice place." Okay, that was a cop out, but I don’t want to fawn too much.

Matt smiles conspiratorially. "It’s my little piece of paradise on earth. It’s got an indoor and outdoor pool, a tennis court, a gym, eight bedrooms, eleven baths, a library, a solarium, a guest house, a screening room, a formal garden and a nine hole golf course."

"Like I said, nice place," I say with a load of sarcasm in my tone.

He claps me on the back. "You’re welcome out here anytime, Harper."

Kelsey clucks at me. "Stop drooling, sweetheart."

Matt raises his hand and waves a young man over. The man takes the bag Matt is holding and then relieves me of mine as well. "This is Jeff. He’ll show you to your room and help you get settled in. When you’re ready, come on down to the family room."

Jeff smiles pleasantly. "Ms. Kingsley, Ms. Stanton, if you will come with me." He heads up the stairs and we follow him.

"How long have you worked for my father, Jeff?" Kels asks when he opens a bedroom door for us.

He places our bags on the trunk at the end of the bed. "Since I was in high school. My mother worked at Mr. Stanton’s firm and he found out I needed a job." He takes the garment bag and hangs it in the closet. He also opens up the bathroom door. "If you need anything at all this weekend, please don’t hesitate to call on me. Can I get you anything now?"

"No. We’re fine. Thank you, Jeff," Kels replies, sinking into one of the overstuffed chairs in the room.

Once he’s gone, Kels releases a deep breath. "What’s wrong, sweetheart?" I’m at her side right away.

She shakes her head. "No matter how much things change, they remain the same. He still has a house full of servants. I’ll bet most of them have the weekend off but there’s still enough staff on hand to spoil you rotten."

"In my book, that’s not a bad thing." I begin massaging her shoulders.

"I figured," Kels glances up at me over her shoulder. "Well, do you want to unpack or shall we go down and see what Dad has planned?"

"Oh, let’s go down and see what’s up. I want to find out who the mystery person is."

She sighs again. "I had almost forgotten about that." She looks at Kam who is curled up next to the fireplace and soundly asleep. Like Kels, he can sleep anywhere. "Boy, I’d like to do that," she says wistfully.

I hug her about the neck and kiss her cheek. "Come on, baby, let’s go down and see your dad."

"You just want to see the golf course."

"Hell, yes! I’m hoping to get a round or two in this weekend."

"That’s a buck, babe." She nuzzles my arms. "You’d like anyone with a private golf course."

"Pretty much. But, it helps that he fathered my favorite person in the world."

She kisses my forearm. "Sweet talker."

"Oh yeah. That ain’t all of me that’s sweet, either."

* * *

We wander around the first floor trying to locate the family room. We find a lot of other rooms, but, apparently, not the right one. Our conversation must alert Matt to our presence because he steps out of a room we haven’t reached yet and beckons to us. "Over here, girls."

"Be nice," Kels whispers.

Matt is oblivious to her comment. He comes over and wraps his arm around his daughter’s shoulders. "You look terrific, sweetheart. Harper must be good for you."

"She’s all right," Kels teases.

"Well, I’d hate to have to take her out back and give her a good talking to."

"Dad, out back is a golf course. What are you going to do, putt her to death?"

"I’d like a good talking to, Matt." Okay, not a very subtle hint, but, hell, I’ve never been subtle.

"Would you? Well, we might have to do that tomorrow morning."

Hmm, that might interfere with No Clothes Saturday. But, in the name of family bonding, I’ll make the sacrifice. And get Kels up a little early tomorrow. "I think that would be for the best."

"Or maybe even tonight before it gets too dark." He leads us into the family room. Twelve foot ceilings and a fireplace are accented with more pieces of art than many museums have. Sitting on the sofa is a very attractive young woman. I can tell she's tall, even seated, and she has an aristocratic face framed by long, curly brunette hair and offset by pale blue eyes. I’m quick to notice that she’s about my age and is holding a baby who appears to be around six months old.

Matt takes Kels over to them. "Kelsey, I want you to meet Amanda Stanton, my wife and this," he pulls back the blanket from the baby’s face, "is your sister, Claire."

* * *

Look up the word 'stupid' in the dictionary and you’ll find my picture. My inability to speak at the moment is not helping the situation either.

"Hello," I manage to stammer.

"Kelsey," Amanda smiles and offers me her hand. "It’s so nice to meet you, finally. Thanks for coming out this weekend."

"Thanks for inviting us." I turn to Harper and extend my hand. I need her next to me and I need her next to me now. I hope she takes the hint. I feel her hand slip into mine. Thank God. "This is Harper, my," I glance up at her and smile when I realize I can say it out loud here, "wife."

She extends her hand to Harper. "Nice to meet you. Matt has had nothing but good things to say about you."

I feel like I've fallen into a bad episode of The Brady Bunch only to discover that Marcia and Dad Brady have eloped. This is surreal.

The baby in Amanda's arms begins fussing, bringing me out of my dumbfounded state. I have a baby sister. A baby sister who is about to have some combination of nieces and nephews by her own first birthday. God, we're a modern family: divorced parents, father remarried to woman his daughter's age, children separated by more than thirty years in age, grandchildren on the way, and lesbians. Throw in my mother's drinking problem and we're a miniseries waiting to happen.

Oh God. I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around all this.

"May I?" Harper releases my hand in order to extend both of hers toward the baby. Amanda smiles and passes … my sister … to her. Once in Harper's arms, Claire immediately stops fussing. It must be a genetic trait we Stanton women share. We know a good thing when it's offered to us.

Harper cuddles her carefully, not complaining when the baby begins chewing on her shoulder - depositing copious amounts of saliva on it - and a tiny hands wraps tightly in her hair.

No wonder I'm having twins. My spouse is a baby magnet. If I'm not careful, she'll keep me pregnant through menopause. That'd really burn Langston's butt.

I reach out and stroke Claire's little head. My eyes meet Harper’s and for one brief moment we both see our future. What a wonderful feeling. God, I can't wait to see her hold our children for the first time. Of course, once I let her hold them, I might never get them back. Good thing I'll be breastfeeding. It might be the only way I can get hold of them. Harper is talented, but not that talented.

I turn to my father. "She’s beautiful."

He beams as all new fathers do. "She looks like you did when you were a baby, except she has curly hair. That's definitely from Amanda's side of the family."

Amanda has a side to our family? I didn't even think of us as a family until recently. It's still a concept that's growing on me, truth be told.

"Hey!" Harper pipes up, startling Claire. "Do you have any baby pictures of Kels?"

"Actually, I think I have an album or two."

Okay, this has got to stop right here and right now. It's all right for me to have a naked baby picture of Harper, but not vice versa. She'll put the damn thing up as her screen saver. Time to change the subject. "Well, Dad, I guess it’s time to let you in on our good news."

He smiles pleasantly in my direction, not assuming I can beat his news of a wife and child. Well, dad, I have them too. Like father, like daughter, I guess.

"You’re gonna be a grandfather. I’m pregnant."

He looks as stunned as I’m sure I did a moment ago.

"Well, now, Harper, that is talent!" he guffaws, before giving me a congratulatory hug. "Sweetheart, that’s wonderful! When are you due?" He looks down at my stomach as if it might answer for me.

"November."

"Congratulations, Kelsey," Amada adds.

It's going to take some getting used to having a stepmother my age. "Wait, it gets better. I’m pregnant with twins."

* * *

I have Claire firmly ensconced in my own arms while Amanda and I watch Dad and Harper play golf in the twilight. It’s stupid and dangerous, but my father could see how excited Harper was to play. Who knew Harper played golf? And she’s good too. She’s giving the old man a real run for his money on his own damn course. And, I do mean a literal run for his money. Last I heard the bet on the round was $500, but individual shots are being bet on as well. If she wins, I'm making her donate it to the swear jar.

I give Claire a kiss on her forehead, taking in her sweet baby scent. A pleasant rush of memory comes to me. I will always remember that Thanksgiving in New Orleans for so many reasons. One is when I first held Clark and caught a whiff of what a new start smells like.

"So you work with my dad?" Oh, jeez, Kelsey, how stupid did that sound?

"I was in the CFO's area for almost five years. Things just naturally developed between us. I thought he had a great sense of humor." My father has a sense of humor? She holds a bottle up for Claire who bounces a little in my lap and reaches out for it, smacking her lips together. I can’t help but smile. God, I’m gonna love this in a few months.

Amanda’s being very good to me considering I’m trying to sound nonchalant about getting this information and failing miserably. Hard to believe CBS pays me more than two million dollars a year to talk.

I take the bottle and help my sister have a pre-dinner snack. She nestles close to me and I watch as her little eyes fall shut. "I’m sorry." I shake my head. "I’m still a little shocked."

"I know. It’s quite the change for all of us. I’m happy you’re working things out with Matthew, Kelsey. He really regrets the years he lost with you. After Claire was born, it was much easier for him to come to terms with all those emotions. He then decided he needed to try and reestablish contact with you."

I watch Harper sink a putt and my dad shakes his head and hands over a bill. I’ll have to torture the amount she won out of Tabloid later tonight. "I’m glad he did. I never wanted to bother him." It’s a soft admission, but it’s the truth. "I figured she had convinced him…"

Amanda seems to know immediately I’m speaking of my mother. "She did a number on the both of you. Keeping you two apart was the only chance she had for getting what she wanted."

"Why would someone do that to their own family? I can’t imagine ever keeping our children from Harper, no matter what may come to pass between us through the years." I say this even with a tightening in my stomach. I don't want to imagine a future without Harper and I together. Not for me, not for our children. I want her lock, stock and barrel for the rest of our lives.

"You’re not the selfish woman she is. She only thinks of herself. She tried for almost two years to break Matthew and I up when she found out about us."

Claire pushes the bottle away and simply cuddles into my arms continuing to sleep.

"Damn!" my dad growls when he misses a putt. Harper laughs at him.

"Hey, Tabloid, collect a dollar from that man!" I call to her, indicating Claire is now under our protection too.

She holds out her hand for the money. I see her begin to explain why to dad, so I do so with Amanda as well.

"That’s a grand idea." She gets up and walks across the green to our golfers. "Oh Matt!"

Harper takes this opportunity to jog over and say hi to me. She drops down on her knees beside my chair. She softly touches the baby’s pudgy cheek with her fingertips then looks up at me. "I can’t wait." She glances back and forth between Claire and me again. "I can’t wait to see you with our babies."

Funny, I feel exactly the same way about her.

* * *

"Trust me on this sweetheart, you’ll never regret it." My dad slips me the business card which I stick in my pocket before Tabloid catches me holding it. "Let my guy set you up. You’ll love it."

"She’s going to be spoiled rotten by the time we leave here." I watch Harper lounge around in the screening room. If all movie theatres were this plush, I'd go every week.

"Kels, can we have one of these?"

"As soon as you buy me a house like this one."

"Deal." She runs her hand over the back of a soft leather sofa.

"You two enjoy the movie. Amanda and I have a conference call to handle with the U.K. We'll probably be a couple hours."

I lift my brow. "She still works for you?"

"Works for me? Ha! Amanda's my secret weapon. That woman can crunch numbers and run financials in her head faster than most computers. And she makes a lot fewer errors. I wouldn’t even consider doing the deals I do without her input." He smiles proudly. "Amanda was third in her class at Harvard business school. She's the real deal." He gives me a kiss on the forehead. "Enjoy yourself, honey. We’ll figure out what we'll do for dinner after the call."

"And Claire?"

"Is asleep for the moment. If she wakes up, the nanny will bring her to us. You two don't have to worry about anything." With that he leaves us, closing the door.

I turn to find my spouse sauntering playfully across the room. "So you wanna go to a movie with me and neck in the balcony?" She gestures to the small balcony section above.

"Nah, let’s stay here and neck on the couch."

<fade out>

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