There Must Be A Mistake Ch. 20

"What else are you two talking about?"

"I don't want to scare you."

"How can a six-day-old baby scare me? She can't talk yet."

"She can talk to me."

"I don't know if I'm going to be able to handle this. What is she going to scare me with Newton?"

"She is going to be smarter than grandpa, and eventually she will take over for him."

Delicious picked up her newborn, and placed her on the changing table.

"How much trouble are you going to cause me little girl?"

Newton fell to the floor and started laughing.

"What, what did she say?"

"She is very funny mommy."

"I don't care if she's funny, I want to know what she said."

"She said, I'm not going to cause you half as much trouble as my sister."

"That's it, I'm getting my tubes tied. I'm not having any more children."

Very seriously, Newton said, "If you did that mom, the world will end."

"Who told you that Newton?"

"No one did, I just know it will happen. Too many things are dependent on the success of our venture. If you destroy the future, the present comes to an end."

"Why is everyone smarter than I am? When I created those engines, I thought I was the most brilliant person on the face of the earth. Now I'm not the smartest one in my own home."

"You're smarter than dad."

"It doesn't feel that way. He's working every day, contributing to building the spacecraft. My work is done. The engines are in, and until the nuclear engine is ready, I have nothing to do. I sit at home talking to a five-year-old boy who is smarter than I am. I don't feel any comfort in that at all."

"What were you doing when you were fourteen years old mom?"

"It was one of the worst years of my life. I just started high school, and the boys were all over me like a rash. My mom and I would study until late at night, from books she would get from the library. When my father would come home, he would always come into my room first hoping I was alone. I never was. My mom was always with me, protecting me from him. Why did you want to know that?"

"I knew that; grandma told me. What you were really doing was getting ready to build your engines. When you were almost fifteen, you found a way to negate gravities hold on earth. Less than a seven months later, you designed the first Ion/H2 engine. You aren't finished mom; you're just taking a break."

"When did you become a psychiatrist?"

"What's a psychiatrist? Does he work with math?"

"No Newton, he works with heads."

"There's nothing wrong with your head."

"Thanks Newton, that's good to know."

She looked at the infant in front of her and asked, "What about you Teddy, are you hungry?"

"No, she's not, she wants to go back to sleep. She wants lunch in an hour."

"You will let me know when she's ready, right Newton."

"Of course mom, but I'm hungry now. Can I have lunch?"

"I think that can be arranged. What would you like?"

"Pumpernickel bread, with liverwurst, onions, mustard, and ketchup."

"You must have a cast-iron stomach. I would die if I ate that sandwich."

"I forgot can I have orange juice with my sandwich?"

"I'll leave the bathroom door open for you."

**************

Colonel Canyon was in the ready room when his cell went off. It was a coded text from Sergeant Paul Zachary.

"I'm in."

Canyon smiled. He got up and went to see General Morgan.

"Hello Margaret, how is your fiancée today?"

"I heard that you son of a bitch; don't you start with her again."

"Lucius you make my day."

"It's all part of my master plan. If I can get him to retire, I can go back to shooting trees."

"That sounds like a very interesting hobby. Make sure they don't fall on you."

"I won't, that would ruin my entire day."

"Lucius do you have something for me, or did you just come in here to upset me?"

"I have something that is going to brighten your day sir."

"Would you please tell me, so I can get you away from my secretary? You're having too much fun at my expense."

"He's pushy today, isn't he?"

"I'll calm him down once we get married."

"It's not going to happen, Margaret."

"Do you see what I mean Lucius, he didn't even yell."

"Give him another month, maybe six weeks, he will be down on one knee, and you will have a ring on your finger."

"Lucius get in here, or get lost."

"Your wish is my command general."

"What do you have for me this time?"

"Have you ever wondered why Paul hasn't been around?"

"Since you two are always attached at the hip, I've wondered about that."

"I got a message from him this morning; he's in with the enemy."

"No shit, how much better can that be?"

"I can't think of a better man to have on the inside. We won't hear from him again, until they're ready to move against us. He is the best there is sir."

"You would know Lucius, you trained him."

"He's had my back for almost 30 years sir, and he's never let me down. He will not let us down this time either."

"You planned this before you got here?"

"Yes sir, I knew who the enemy was. I knew what he would be looking for. I placed Paul near the SEAL training base in San Diego. I had him go to the gym where a lot of the former SEAL's train. I couldn't count on any of my former team showing up on time to infiltrate the enemy, so I sent Paul.

I knew it would be the first place they would look for men who wanted the action they missed when they were removed from service. When you are trained to kill, it's very hard to get it out of your system."

"You shouldn't have been in the field Lucius. You should have been on senior staff directing battles. You are too smart by half. You are so far ahead of me I can't believe it."

"When did you say you were going to marry Margaret sir?"

"Get out of my office. If you ask me that one more time I'm going to shoot you."

"Did you hear that Margaret; I have been threatened by a senior officer."

"I have it on tape Lucius. If any harm comes to you he will go to jail, or he will marry me."

"I would rather go to jail."

"Did you hear his voice tremble Lucius?"

"As I said Margaret, one month, possibly six weeks, and the ring will be on your finger."

"Get out of here Lucius; and Margaret go to lunch."

"It's only 10 AM; I don't want to go to lunch."

"Call your sister; stay on the phone for a long time, a very long time."

"I don't have a sister."

"Who is it you're talking to all the time?"

"Your sister; we are planning our wedding."

"That's it, get out of my way Lucius, I'm going to lunch."

"We have him on the run Margaret; it's just a matter of time."

*********

Gray got home a little earlier than usual and found Delicious sitting on the floor playing with Teddy and Newton. He took off his jacket and tie, and joined in. After kissing his wife, and Newton, he looked at the pretty little newcomer and smiled.

"Teddy wants to know why she didn't get a kiss dad."

His neck nearly came off his shoulders as he looked at his wife.

Delicious thought it was so funny she lay down on the carpet, and laughed.

"Would you please tell me what's going on in my house?"

"You just found out what's going on in your house. Get used to it, I did."

"Teddy is talking already?"

"Did you see her lips move?"

"Please tell me what is happening Newton."

"It's really easy dad. Since you and mom brought her home, Teddy and I have been talking to one another. She is very funny, and very smart."

"Delicious, we have another one?"

"Why are you looking at me, you're the father."

"How many more are we expecting?"

"A volleyball team. Don't think about stopping either, Newt told me the dire consequences of doing it. It would not be a good idea."

"Does your dad know?"

"All my dad would do is laugh at me. He would tell me God is getting even with me for all the bad things I did to him. Of course, after he got through with me, Jennifer would start in. I love mom, but she has a cutting sense of humor. I would wind up like a loaf of sliced bread."

"They are going to find out sooner or later, why not make it sooner, and get it over with?"

"How am I supposed to tell my dad Teddy is going to be smarter than he is, and is going to be his replacement?"

"How did you find that out?"

"She told Newton, and he told me. Have you ever felt inadequate? I did, and it took me a while to get over it. Newt played psychiatrist for me, and helped me through it. I am very proud of you Newton, but I don't want you to grow up too fast. I want you to have fun while you're still young."

"You don't have to worry about me mom. I play with Richard and Holden every day. Holden is very smart. He started a little later than everyone else, but he is catching up very quickly. Soon, he will be as smart as Gordon. We will need both of them to make our project successful."

"Don't you look at me that way Grayson. You are the father, I just carried them for nine months."

"So all of a sudden you are little miss innocent? Your part of the DNA chain had nothing to do with them."

"All I did is lay down in bed and think of England."

Gray was about to say something, when Newton cut him off.

"Mom, what does sex have to do with England?"

Delicious started laughing. She lay down next to her daughter, and gently rubbed her tummy.

Gray grabbed his son, and tickled him relentlessly.

Newt loved when his dad did this. It felt good, and was fun, but it also helped his dad relax.

101. Sleep

Jennifer, this Patti Valentino, how is everything down there?"

"Hi Patti; if you mean is that obstinate, pigheaded, no good son of a bitch I'm married to doing what he's told to do, the answer is no. He's trying to push his body to get better before it can. However, he made four mistakes. He hired three nurses that won't take any of his garbage, and the fourth one he married. Regardless of how hard he tries, he always loses."

"I know how he feels, but you keep after him. Have him speak to my dad about the time I had a tumor in my head. That will keep him in bed, I guarantee it."

"That's good to know, how can I help you?"

"If he is available, I have some good news."

"Hold on, I'll bring him the phone."

"Hello Patti, I am a good patient. I don't like people bad mouthing me behind my back."

"Even stop lying to yourself. You are a good patient, just like you are a terrible scientist. However, up here in Glen Falls, we are great scientists. We did it Even. We did it. We took Junie Penick out of stasis yesterday afternoon and she is fine. I didn't call you because I wanted to observe her for twenty-four hours. She is absolutely perfect in every way. She came out of it the same way she went in with the exception she lost three ounces. When she woke up, she was very thirsty but not dehydrated. I don't know if there is anything we can do with it over a longer period of time, because we don't have time to run another study, but I think we have it nailed. Laura is ready to go. As she said to me, "Mom I'd bet my life on it."

"That is excellent news Patti, excellent news. Call Dycke Schneider and make arrangements with him to come up with his engineers to see what you have. They will be building the units. If it's at all possible, I would like you to supervise the building of them. I don't want anything to get lost in the translation of what you have on your computers and in your head to what they do in their factories."

"I can't go, I have other obligations. I'll send Laura and Anna in my stead. They will do just fine. They have worked as many hours on this as I have."

"I'll take your word on it. Thank you for getting involved Patti. I know you were reluctant at the beginning, but I knew you were going to be instrumental in getting it done."

"Wherever you go Even, you take care of my daughter."

"I'm going to take care of all seventy of us to the best of my ability Patti. If one of us survives, we will all survive."

*************

Two suitcases were sitting by the front door, as Cassie was sitting at the kitchen table writing a note.

Laura walked in and asked her what she was doing.

"I'm leaving a note for Callum."

"Just Callum?"

"Yes, I'm not running away without saying goodbye to everyone that's been so nice to me. I'm just asking him not to say anything to my parents, while I go to look for my brother. I can't do this anymore Laura. I can't deny that I love him, and I want to be in his life. My parents will be absolutely furious with me, probably with us, but I can't help that. This time I'm going with my heart and not my head. I don't want to be lonely any longer."

Callum said, "It's about time."

"What are you doing up? It's 8 o'clock in the morning. A bomb couldn't move you at this time of day."

"Junie was thirsty. I came in here to get her some vodka."

"You don't need liquor to keep that girl in bed with you."

"Yes I know, but it sounded sexier than water. Did you really think I would talk to your parents and destroy your happiness?"

"It was the reason for the note."

"Friends don't do that to one another, and you still are my best friend."

"Did Patti forget to pay the water bill?"

Callum put his arm around Junie, and kissed her. "Cassie is going home to find Christian."

"It's about time."

"Don't tell me you knew about it too?"

"Cassie, a blind person could feel the heat coming from the two of you, when you were together. I was sure you knew it before they put me to sleep."

"As they say Junie, the woman is the last to know."

"So what are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to find my brother."

Junie said to Callum, "Tell her."

"My dad will kill me."

"The only reason your dad told you was to start a war with her mother. It's his goal in life according to what you told me."

Cassie got up from her seat, put her hands on her hips, and frowned at her best friend.

"Where is my brother?"

"I want to live to get married to Junie. I don't want to have to do it in Iceland."

Patti tapped him on the shoulder. "Tell her where her brother is, or you won't have the equipment to consummate the marriage."

"Do you see what you've done to me Junie? I was a carefree bachelor until I looked into your eyes."

"I am sure Doctor Luck has room for one more traveler to a new world. I could be out of your life forever, and you could be a carefree bachelor again."

"I hate myself already. My mom is going to kill me. My dad is going to kill me. Then your parents are going to kill me. Then the Bishop will kill me. I will have no place to live."

"Before I went to stasis you told me you had all this money, did you gamble it away?"

"No, it's still there."

"I still own half a railroad company. We could always rent a railroad car to sleep in. We can always keep your family guessing where we are."

"We may have to. Christian lives in Santa Fe New Mexico and may God have mercy on my body and my soul."

"Give her the address and phone number."

"No, if she wants him let her do the work."

"Patti is there a computer in this house that I can make reservations to Santa Fe New Mexico on?"

"Do you want to leave before or after lunch?"

Sabrina said, "She will leave after lunch. No one leaves this house hungry."

"That's a good idea. We have to make your reservations anyhow."

"Don't forget to call Paul and Rita, and have them bring the helicopter over."

"Three hours, that should be enough time to get them out of bed."

"Those two are insatiable."

"You're right, but they're in great shape."

"They have to be; there always screwing, they never stop to eat."

*************

Patti went down to the basement and queued up the Cray computer. She put in Santa Fe New Mexico, and Christian Chase. In the blink of an eye, the printer started working. On the screen in front of her, it had everything from Christian's date of birth to the last time he made a deposit in his bank account.

Then she did something she had not done since she was working with the FBI many years ago. When she was finished, she smiled. It was nice to help two wonderful young people who were so desperately in love with one another. The printer spit out more pieces of paper, and Patti destroyed the evidence on the computer. It would be untraceable from that moment on.

She walked upstairs and found everyone seated at the dining room table laughing and having a wonderful time.

She put the computer paper in front of Cassie and said, "Callum is not the only friend you have. Call him, and tell him to pick you up at the airport with flowers in his hands, or you will beat the shit out of him."

"How did you find him so quickly?"

"I have a computer. I think you should look at the last page."

Cassie looked at the paperwork and her eyes grew wider, and wider every second.

She screamed, "I'm adopted!"

"Don't tell your mother, or father that, but that paperwork says you are. All the official documents are being sent to Christians address in Santa Fe. They will be there within the next two weeks. You can bring them to any court and apply for a marriage license and it will be approved. You are not blood relatives, there is nothing to stop you."

Cassie screamed. She ran to thank Patti, but Patti ran away from her in fear of her life.

"Callum stop her."

"You are twenty-two years younger than she is. If you can catch 'An Old Lady', you must be in terrible shape."

He knew it as soon as the words fell out of his mouth. Patti stopped behind him and yelled, "Old Lady! I'll give you an old lady."

"I'm sorry Patti, it just slipped out of my mouth. Please don't kill me."

"I'm not going to kill you. Look at the other females in this room. They are going to do it for me."

"Ladies it was a slip of the tongue. It was an accident. Please forgive me."

They didn't. They attacked him en masse. Although he was bigger and stronger than each of them individually, he could not fight off all those hands at one time. They lifted him off the ground, struggling mightily because of his weight. They carried him out to the pool, and were about to throw him in when Patti said wait. She cut his sleeping shorts leaving him naked.

She yelled, "NOW!"

They threw Callum into the pool headfirst, and laughed when he surfaced spitting water out of his mouth.

Jemma and two of her agents walked up to the pool.

"I wish you guys would call me when you're going to walk around with a naked man. I haven't had any in seven months, and it would have been nice to at least seen what it looks like again."

"Would you like to take a quick trip and surprise William?"

"Do not fool around with a horny woman."

"Can you be ready to go by 1 o'clock?"

"If you want me to leave right now, I'll grab Patrick and go."

"Leave your agents here, and we will pick up escorts in Austin. I haven't seen my husband in three months. Maybe we can start a fire."

"When did you decide to go to Temple?"

"I wasn't going, but I was sending my airplane to Santa Fe for a reunion of Christian and Cassie. Since we haven't seen our husbands in a while, we will make a little detour on the way home."

"I love detours like that, I can get my springs oiled."

"That was awful Jemma, absolutely awful."

"Why what do you call it?"

"Sex, pure unadulterated sex."

"You don't have a six-year-old running around with you."