CHAPTER 61 - STILL PARTYING AND SOMEONE PUTS A KNOT IN IT

BLAKE

“Can we at least have a screen or something to preserve his modesty...?” I call out, starting to lift his top up. “...and to not give anyone nightmares.” I mutter under my breath.

“Blake…” David stays my hand. “You don’t have to do this. I’ve…”

“Me too, in a purely professional capacity I might add!”

Between us we managed to get his top up and he is going to have some interesting bruise marks. “Can’t feel anything broken.”

“Ready?’ He asks and I sigh. “Come on, let’s just get it done.” Taking a deep breath, I start to undo his pants and pray he’s not gone commando under that deeply unattractive faux accountant look he was going for. He is neither Clark Kent nor Superman! Once they are loosened we each heave a sigh of relief at his Joker boxers. “Rather appropriate.” I mutter and David snickers.

“Unghhhh!” Michael burbles.

“Oh great, Cousin It is coming round…”

“Whangtsbvs?” He mutters.

“Debs! Can you get some water, please?” She comes over with water and four waiters, who form a modesty shield for the rest of the gue...I mean Michael.

“Ready?” I sigh.

“Sadly, yes.” He grimaces.

GEORGE

“Well while they obey the Hippocratic Oath, I say we get on with the party.” There’s universal approval for that. “Piñata, was it?”

The children rush back to the bench, all except one. She trails back to the crowd with her head down. “Dorothy! I think a grandfather’s touch is called for!” I point at the little girl, he nods and we both get to her at the same time.

“Hello Rebecca, where are you going?” Randy asks.

“To sit with my parents. I hurt that man and ruined the game.”

“Rebecca, did you mean to do it?”

“No! Honest! I heard the signal and swung. Then I heard the other two and Mr Carl said before to keep swinging!” Her parents try and soothe the distressed little sweetheart. “I promise mommy, daddy! I promise I didn’t mean it!”

“You made a mistake. It was an accident. Please don’t upset yourself over this. You can say sorry to the man when he comes back, okay?” She nods. “In the meantime, please rejoin your friends. I would hate for you to no longer have a rambu...enjoy yourself.” She looks longingly at her friends. “Rebecca, please.”

“You promise to come and get me when the man comes back?” I nod and then she looks at her parents for approval; they gently turn her around and in a flash she’s running back.

“Thank you for that.” Her mom smiles before leaning in. “Although it was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time!”

“Us too.” I whisper back. “And it…”

“Couldn’t have happened to a nicer fellah.” Her husband smirks and I frown. “He’s been eye rolling and glaring at everyone, especially the children, all day. If you don’t want to be part of the service industry, why be a waiter?” Randy guffaws and signals an actual waiter. He whispers something and he nods. “I mean don’t get me wrong…” Her husband continues. “He looks the part but come on act the part too!”

The waiter returns with an unopened bottle of champagne. “This the one, sir?”

“Yes. That’s it, thank you.” Randy smiles and hands it to Rebecca’s parents, who look confused. “For saying what you just did, it really made my day. Now have that when you get home, and maybe a little glass for Rebecca, who made all of that hilarity possible!”

“Come on, you; stop making devilment!” I grab his hand and pull him away, leaving the parents confused but amused.

BRIAN

I have him pinned against the wall inside the building. God, his mouth tastes delicious, a combination of smoke from the food and Beam. He’s tugs his hands free so he can wind them in my hair. We have to breathe!  “Hurry!”  I whisper urgently against his lips and he obeys before letting off a string of curses. “What?!” I hiss.

“I swear I’m going to kill my mother!” He wails, pulling frantically at the knot. “Now I know why she wanted to help. She must have been a sailor in a former life. I can’t get it undone!”

I pause in my knot pulling and look at him. “Did she give you Ruby to hold when she helped?”

“Yes.” He huffs. “Patience will reap its reward? Right?” He looks as heartbroken as I feel.

“Oh god, yes! But in the meantime, let’s go speak to your mother about her ingenuity!”

Hand in hand, we walk out of the building and straight to Jennifer. “Nicely played. Now give me our daughter…”Justin grumbles.

“Oh, come on!” She laughs but doesn’t hand her over. “It’s just one day! You can’t seriously be telling me that you do it every…” She trails off. “You don’t, do you?” We nod. “No, I don’t believe you! Wait a second, Emmy?!”

“Yes you beautiful woman, what can I do for you?” He calls out as he saunters over.

“Now looking at me, not them, do they have sex every day?” He looks surprised and she looks smug. “Hah, I knew…”

“Yes of course, they do! Multiple times a day, in fact. Although, I never had you down as being so liberal minded that you would ask that question.”

She looks between the three of us, hands Ruby over and walks off presumably to find a drink!

“Oh look, he’s upright at least!” Emmy points in the direction of where they took Michael and sighs. “Is it bad that I have no sympathy?”

“Nope! It’s not as if he was going to be using them any time soon anyway.” Justin snickers, wrapping himself around me and then looks down at his shorts. “There that got rid of the wood.”

“Ditto.” I grin. “So what’s next on the list of activities?”

“Desserts, presentation to David and then opening of presents and home. Now enough already! Give me my niece. I need some Ruby Time!”

MICHAEL

They are trying oh so very hard not to laugh at me and my injuries. “Why am I so wet?” I demand again, wincing as I breathe and trying not to jiggle my junk too much!

“We had to get you uncurled and Veri chose that way.” David smirks. “Here you can get changed in the small room over there. George left you some sweats to...”

“I’m not wearing old people's clothes!”

“Well you best stay in the sun so yours can dry off then!” Blake snaps and yanks my top down hard. “Pray that you don't get a cold! And since you are back to your snarling and churlish best, I shall leave you to it. David, he’s all yours.”

“Oh no, he isn't. I’ve heard enough of his moaning drone to last a lifetime!”

“You're doctors! You're supposed to help me! There’s an oath! I am still in…”

“The first line of that oath is first do no harm...staying any longer with you will test that vow. And make no mistake Michael, you certainly aren’t even worth the temptation!” David growls. He turns and heads back to everyone. Blake shrugs and does the same.

“Bastards!” I mutter to myself as I snatch up the clothes to get changed.

By the time I return, the games are over, thank fuck! But there is nobody to be found, so I head to the main house where I find Mel, Ben, Nathan, Rupert and Veri gathering up the presents.

“What’s happening? Are we going home now?” I ask, hopefully.

“No, it’s present time, then we have to bag up the doggy bags and then the kids want to do their presentation before we go home. “Hmm, I wonder…?” Veri pauses. “Be right back!”

“How are you feeling?” Nathan smirks.

“The same way you would feel if you got batted in the balls by Babe Ruth!” I retort.

“Rebecca. Not Ruth.” He sniggers. “She didn't mean it though.”

“She hit me three times! Of course, she meant it!”

“No she didn't, and you best not go around saying that shit to anyone else!” Mel asserts. “You dropped the piñata when Debs whistled; that was her signal to Rebecca to swing. When you went down making that high pitch noise she thought it was Debs again and she had listened to Carl and just kept swinging! It was an accident.”

“Hmmm. Well, she owes me an apology.” I decide. “And…”

“She wants to apologise and I promised to come and get you so she could.” I turn to look at Randolph. “Although in my opinion, she shouldn't. But a promise is a promise.”

I follow him out and he is striding on purpose! I shuffle as painlessly as I can as he leads me to Babe Rebecca. She is talking to another child and he taps her to get her to turn around. She looks up at me. “Thank you, Mr Randolph for bringing him. I'm sorry I hit you…”

“Three times.” I add.

“Yes, I didn't mean it. I hope your boo-boos get better soon.”

I give her a curt nod and turn to find Brian. I finally locate them near the front and make a point of sighing and groaning as I slowly sit down.

“You’re back.” Ma looks across with a smirk. “So did Babe Ruth find you?”

I glare at Nathan but he doesn't notice as he’s too busy sucking face with Hunter. “Must he do that in front of the children?” I complain. “It’s hardly appropriate!”

“And you’d know all about that, would you? Being appropriate?” A voice behind me demands. Why are people creeping up on me?!

“Who are you?” I demand and then notice a seething Daphne next to him.

“Rebecca’s father. She said sorry for what happened and hoped you to get better soon, correct?”

“Yes.” I huff.

“So how appropriate was it to point out how many times she hit you? And then barely acknowledge her apology?”

“I did acknow…”

“A perfunctory nod while glaring and then walking off doesn't mean apology accepted to a child!” Daphne sneers. “It means I’m still mad and can't bear to be around you!”

“Captain Asshole strikes again?” Rodney calls across. I really am beginning to hate this guy! “No surprise there but at least this time he can half-ass blame the shock and distress. I’m sure there had to be a few moments where all the oxygen in his body went to his miniature baseballs instead of his brain.”

Before I can reply, Emmy taps the mike. “Right everyone, slight change of plan! The kiddies are seriously flagging, so we are going to do their presentation first and then get them into baths and PJs!” There are some relieved looking parents and I’m relieved too! “So without further ado, the Hero of the Day Award! Now this is to be presented by the birthday boy, Gus!”

There is applause as Gus walks up to the stage. He has some papers in his hands and then drops them. I grind my teeth as he takes his time getting them in the right order. Not only is he spoilt but irresponsible as well!

“Ready, Gussie?” Emmett asks and he nods and the mike is lowered.

“Hello again, everybody! I really hope you are having the funnest time and…” He yawns and rubs his eyes. “Sorry, bit tired.”

“Hold it, Sonny Boy.” Brian calls out. “George, can I have a word? Emmy, Franc you too?”

They huddle in a corner before Franc calls for Jennifer, her mom and mine. She then calls for Randolph and they talk some more. “Sit down! This has nothing to do with you.” Uncle Vic orders me.

Finally they stop talking and Brian heads to Gus, taking him to one side. I wish it was to tell him to sit his little inconsiderate and unorganized ass down but judging by his face, he's being spoilt again! And as they head back to centre stage, he has a massive smile on his face.

“Your attention please!” Brian calls out. “I think it’s safe to say that this has been a long evening for the kiddies that they don’t want to end. So, if the parents are in agreement, we can set up this room as a massive bedroom for them to overnight in.”

“I’m not sure I follow!” A guy calls out; I’m glad someone else said something!

“What’s not to follow, sweetheart?” Ma calls out and I cringe at her crassness. “We clear this room and all the cushions that we had outside come in here. There are over 50 of the fu...things, that’s one for each kid. George has enough blankets and sheets, for a little fort for them to sleep in.”

There is a gasp as the realisation hits the children and they all stare at their parents. “So what happens to us?” The guy continues.

“You stay as well!” Ma answers, looking at him as if he’s stupid. “You walked through the 22 room mansion when you came here, right?”

“You...you mean we’re all staying?” He gasps.

“If you want to, yes. The kiddies already have their PJs with them. The only people we need worry about is the parents. Franc and Emmy are heading to the nearest pharmacy and grabbing toothbrushes and other necessities. George and Randy have enough PJs for the grown-ups apparently. So...what do you say?” Brian asks.

There is murmurings and I pray that they say no; I just want to go home!

“Please daddy, mommy please!” Babe Ruth calls out.

“I’m in! I’m having a great time” Another guy calls out. “Come on people! Okay, whoever is best at bathing, grab their kid and get them sorted. Let’s get this room sorted out!”

“Wait! Wait!” Gus suddenly shouts and everyone goes still. “What about Ruby daddy, papa?!”

“Aww Sonny Boy. She’s going with mommy and momma in the house.” Blond Ass reassures him.

“Oh, okay then.” Gus smiles and Blond Ass picks him up. “Right! Time for this wee man’s bath.”

The next thing I know, there is a flurry of activity and I was jostled all over the place. It hurts to be fucking jostled!

“Michael, you are getting in the way!” Ma declares, rushing past with more cushions. “Either help or go sit in that corner!”

“Why can’t I go into the house?” I bitch.

“Do you have a child? I mean real as opposed to the inner?” She pauses in what she’s doing.

I trudge to the corner and sit down.

VIC

I watch my nephew trudge to the corner and then sit down, pouting. And once again, words failing me over his childishness. “We need to talk.” Rodney whispers and I frown then follow him outside. “Vic, you know I love you, right?” I nod and will myself to be calm. “I know he’s your nephew but…”

“I don’t want him at the wedding either!” I blurt out and the relief blooms across his face.

“Oh, thank goodness for that!” He gasps and kisses me firmly. “So who tells whom?”

“We both tell them together.” I decree.

“Good. Now let’s get inside, Blanche. It’s getting chilly!”

GEORGE

It’s been a couple of hours since we decided to let everyone stay and I have to say I am so glad we did! We’ve been pressed, by we, I mean the Golden Girls, into reading bedtime stories and never have I felt so happy as to see the enraptured faces of those children. But now they are starting to finally go to sleep. Rebecca has taken a particular shine to Dorothy and is slightly objecting to being removed from his lap. When she was reading the story with him to her friends, her parents looked so proud!

“Right, that’s the last story. Has everyone finished their hot chocolate?” Instead of words there are nods as tiredness wins out. “Now sleep little ones; we will see you in the morning.”

“Daddy, papa!” Gus calls out. “Can we have a tootsie day tomorrow?”

“We’ll see in the morning, okay Sonny Boy?” Brian tells him.

“Mmmm.” He calls back and twenty minutes later, they are all asleep.

KITCHEN

ANDREW

I really don’t want to go home but I have no food for Grady. “You okay?” David asks.

“Yeah, I’ve had an excellent time. But Grady doesn’t…” I start to explain.

“Andrew! There you are!” Rodney comes over with something in his hand. “It might be a bit generic but that’s all they could find.” He hands me over a box of kibble and a bowl with something in it. “Franc knocked this up for him.”

I have to say it doesn’t look the most appetising but I put it down and it looks like Grady agrees. He approaches cautiously and then sniffs, seeming to be backing away. But then he sniffs again, then the tail starts to wag and within 3 minutes, if that, it is gone!

“What on earth was in that?!” David gasps.

“I take it he liked it?” Franc comes over smiling and manages to wrest the bowl from under Grady’s nose as he tries to get every scrap.

“Just a bit!” I laugh. “So to answer David’s question.”

“Kibble, some stock from the chicken soup and, of course, the steak.” She hunkers down to pet Grady. “He is absolutely gorgeous!”

“He is but I wish I took his sister.”

“Sister?” She looks up.

“Yeah, I’ve only had him a month but I couldn’t take both of them. One pet rule in my place.”

“There’s another Grady out in the world?” David laughs but that changes to mushiness when I show him his sister. “Oh, she is beautiful!”

“She has only just got better. Runt of the litter.” I explain.

“Where is she?” He demands.

“With the breeder.” I reply, confused.

“What time is it? Just before nine... do you think you can call them?”

“Yes, I know them very...what’s going on?”

“Can you call them, please?” I nod. “And make sure they don’t give her away.”

“Uh David…” Franc starts.

“Do you believe in love at first sight?” He looks at me. “I’ve just had a heart flip for that little princess. She has to be mine!”

“Are you serious?!” I gasp.

“Yes!”

“Give me a minute!” I wrestle my phone out of my pocket and forty minutes later, she’s his!