The Bridge - Ch 24 Tiny and Hanger

The Bridge - Chapter Twenty-Four - Tiny and Hangar

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work is copy written by the author. All characters involved in sexual activity are eighteen years of age or older at the time of portrayal.

This work will, at times, contain instances of lesbian sex, pregnancy, interracial sex, chastity, group sex, Dominance and submission, tattoos and piercings, slavery, intrigue, action, romance and affection. There are also threats of violence and a fair amount of heroism and family love and fun.

I have put this into the Romance category because it is more romantic than sexual. Your positive ratings and comments, positive or negative, are welcome and appreciated. If you have read this story from the beginning, I would like to thank you. I hope someone is enjoying reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.

Chapter 24 - Tiny and Hangar

Friday morning came late for me. Lizzie had stayed over and she and Holly allowed the kids to only come in and kiss me on the cheek before they ran off to school. That certainly didn't awaken me. Nor did the screaming of twins who, for some reason, were silent this morning. I looked at my supercell and it was after ten. Shit! I'm supposed to meet with the squad this morning. What the fuck's the status of Makoo? Shit!

"Call Caroline."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Car. What's Makoo's status?"

"Target is still at home location. Wasp drone says that there are four males plus the target at the home and they are packing up to go and it looks like they are ready to go to war. I'd say they couldn't possibly leave for at least another hour."

"I haven't even had my coffee, Car. Are the boys at the Greenhouse?"

"We're all here."

"Well, pick an apple and have a bite. I will do my best to be there in fifteen minutes. Any status changes go to my supercell."

"Yes, ma'am."

Mama had to pee so badly, but I had to make that call first. I cleaned up a little, brushed my teeth and put my mess of hair into some semblance of a ponytail. Quickly, I ran in to kiss the babies, then ran down to the kitchen. I was about to ask Bertha for coffee, but when I got there, a cup was ready for me along with a warm scone. Perfect.

After I wolfed down the scone and devoured the first cup of coffee, I grabbed another half cup and ran upstairs. I threw on my jeans and a WSC Nursing sweatshirt and an old Eagles ball cap with my shitty looking ponytail pulled through the opening in the back. It was too casual, but for this team, it didn't matter. It was all about the job.

I ran downstairs, dropping the empty cup on the kitchen island and ran out to the Greenhouse, where my team was waiting.

"When I came through the door, they all applauded."

"Do not fuck with me, people. Let's get down to it." They laughed. Me too.

I looked around at everyone, sitting around, all in black. Caroline, with a black balaclava, rolled up and perched atop her head. They had their game faces on, and they were game ready.

"Status change, Car?"

"Status, Danny."

"Still no movement. It looks like they're waiting for something. Wait...."

And we waited for about three or four minutes when Danny came back on. "Listen," he said. "I'm sending the audio from the drone to you."

"Fuckin' right, Makoo said. Before you know it, this site's gonna be burned, so we gotta go now. Fuzzy is on the road and he should be here in an hour or two. He said he'll call when he's close."

"What the fuck's goin' on, boss?"

"You just let me worry about that and do your fuckin' job."

"Yes, sir."

"Danny," I said into Caroline's supercell, which was on speaker. "Are you back?"

"Yes, Miss T."

"Herman?"

"Right. Okay, we're taking two vehicles and an electrocycle. I'll be on the bike. I want Alec driving Avi, Domingo, Caroline, and Ronnie and dumping them off ahead of time in those woods. Are you four familiar with those woods now?"

"Yes," Caroline said. "We went out there yesterday and checked it out. It will provide perfect cover at the spot we have chosen."

"Excellent. Alec, after you dump the hitters off, keep going till you pass subject's house and sit a few blocks away ready to pounce. Anthony will be in the car coming from the other way. When subject hits the target area, the team will blow out front tires with silenced rounds. When these turds get out of the car to see what the hell is wrong, our field team will come out of the woods and take control of the situation. I don't have to be specific. You all know your jobs. Once we control the people, all but the target will be stripped down and their supercells cut from their wrists. Those, and everything else in their possession, will be thrown into the second vehicle and locked with the key inside. Then, with this amazing doodad, the locking mechanism will be locked and the only way in is to break the windows. All guns will be bagged and taken with us."

"Don't forget the mission." Caroline called out.

"Right. While all this is going on, Big Dom is going to be holding Makoo while Caroline installs our brand new shiny CockMate6. Then we disappear, guns and all."

"I guess you guys better get on post." I said, "Looks like we're going to be mission positive in the next couple hours. Be in touch throughout. Have your comm-links on and your body cams going. And Godspeed!"

"Hoo-Rah."

They took off, and I went to run up to the office where Becky was just getting dressed. She had a new pair of her little stretch jeans and a white sweatshirt she brought back from Pittsburgh that said 'Soul Riders' on it and had their logo. Like me, her hair was a mess, and she pulled it back into a long red flag. She looked at me in my hat and said, "My hair is an awful mess. I wish I had a hat."

"Lady, you came to the right place." And I went to the closet and pulled out an adjustable RFS ball cap and fit it to her and pulled her ponytail through the opening in the back.

She looked at me with a big smile. "Nothin' you can't do."

"And that's the kind of friend you have, Becky. Think about it. Today is a special day. I'm going to do something I almost never do. But I trust you with my life, so I am going to bring you into it. Can I trust you to keep my secrets?"

"Oh Hannah, you are my everything. I would take a bullet for. Easy call. You have given me my life back and with the help you are going to give me, I will be a whole person again and have a real life."

"I'll take that as a yes. Good. Good friends are made from kept confidences, Becky. And I expect us to be great friends for a long time."

"Forever. I'll never forget you and I will always be here to serve you if you need. If you need someone to kiss your feet and eat your pussy every day, I'll do it. Whatever you need, Hannah Todd, I pledge my life to you."

"Come with me, Becky, into my inner sanctum. It's where a lot of the big decisions are made."

When we got to the office, Lizzie was in the video conference room with Danny, who was, I guess you could say, piloting the ship. Something else to make little Becky's eyes bug out. On the center screen, our biggest, was the scene at ground zero of the operation, where nothing was happening yet, and surprisingly few cars drove by. None of our operatives were visible. The monitor on the right had seven screens, one for each of our operators. All their cams were on. The monitor on the left had video being taken by the Wasp drone we had flying around Makoo's Pottstown place. So, we could see everything they were doing, including the moment they left. Unfortunately, that took a while.

The whole time, Becky pointed at Makoo and called him every name in the book and some that never made it to the book. She really railed at him to the point I thought she would throw herself against the monitor. But, seeing things were not going to progress just yet, I took her by the hand; we threw our coats on and I led her to the Greenhouse, where we can sit in a peaceful, serene setting, with the sights and smells of the inside garden. She immediately walked over to the hydroponic side and marveled at the tomatoes and many-colored peppers. Cucumbers and spinach and a patch of basil that just catches your nose and won't let go.

Fascinated people are interested people and interested people are interesting people. I've never seen anyone more fascinated with the system.

"Do a lot of people do this?"

"It's very popular in the city where they don't have a lot of outdoor space. It also allows us to extend the growing season into the winter. Some amazing shit."

"Man, you ain't kiddin'. You can get yourself some chickens and goats and maybe a cow and build a wall around this place. You'd never have to go nowhere."

"Nah. Not ready to fence myself in just yet. I just got my tubes tied. I'm just getting liberated."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I can fuck my man all I want and I never have to worry about carrying another tit sucker again."

"But your babies are so beautiful."

"Great. I've got five. That's enough. Let it be someone else's turn. Give that little man your tit. I'm done. Shop's closed."

"It's a shame. People like you and Mr. Royce should have a ton of kids. The leaders of tomorrow. You breed 'em right, you raise them right, and you set them loose to save the world."

"Well, we have our five little world savers, and I guess they will have to split the globe into five slices and handle it that way. But Becky, getting back to the matter at hand. I need you to keep your cool. Back in the day, when the Riders got in a ruckus, did you panic, or did you keep your cool?"

"Cool, man. Toothy always preached 'cool.'"

"More of Toothy's wisdom. I need you to maintain your cool during this operation. You are a vital part. You are the client. But I am the decider. I decide what happens and when it does. And that's when I don't always get my way. I have to divide it by reason and multiply it by risk. Every operation has some. Some greater than others. I would call this a twenty-five percent risk. Most of our missions are fifty percent or better. So, tell me, Becky, can you handle the heat? Can you take the risk?"

"I can. Let's see what happens to that motherfucker. I can call him that, can't I?"

"I expect you to."

As we walked up to the house, I inserted my ear bud attaching me to the comm-link, which was quiet at the moment.

And up to the house we went. Being the household genius she is, Bertha had a fresh pot of coffee brewed she started when she saw me taking Becky down to the Greenhouse. She knows me better than I know myself. When she asked Becky if she wanted any, she said no, but she would love a scone.

"Well then, little missy, you shall have one."

And Bertha heated it up, buttered it, and Becky made it disappear in a minute. When she finished, it was time, and we went back upstairs. When we got to the videoconference room, I took my earbud out, so it wouldn't cause feedback with the equipment. Don't ask me. I just run the place. The techs take care of that shit.

The team in the field reported in and everyone was in place and ready. We were watching the monitors when somebody new showed up at the target location. It was their buddies who would escort them to the mountains. Or so they thought.

We watched as they all exited the house, leaving it empty. Our target got into the lead car and sat shotgun. Two men got into the back. The other car contained the two men who had just shown up. On our right, the screen showed us the inside of the house, thanks to the Wasp drone, went blank then it went to split screen. Good job, Danny. The views were from the dash cameras from our two agents, Alec and Anthony, who would confront him front and back and pick up their mates and go. Two ex-Navy SEALs on a mission. Look the fuck out.

A few blocks before the hit point, Alec sped past the target and drove on. Then he slowed down as he approached ground zero and practically stopped as we watched on the monitor Makoo's lead car come into the picture and the front tires being blown out as it just moves out of our view the follow car is hit and slides into the lead car. Oh well.

As expected, the idiots jumped out of the cars and out of the woods came four of our agents, carrying shotguns and automatic weapons, and on the road coming from the other way was Anthony. We had them and we had them good. They stripped, put everything in the last car, including supercells and keys, and Avi stuck something in the door lock that locked it shut electronically, so it had to be opened by a code. Or by throwing a rock through the window. We took the guns with us.

Curious, Herman shot the lock on the trunk of Makoo's car and it was loaded with weapons and ammunition. He took it all and checked the other cars' trunks, which had a couple of shotguns and shells, so he took them too.

Then it was showtime. With Big Dom holding Makoo, Caroline undid his belt and unceremoniously pulled his pants and boxers down and grabbed that big old cock of his, and in a minute, the modified CockMate6 was installed. She gave it a couple of good tugs just to make sure it was on good. It was. Photos were taken and a briefcase that Makoo had with him in the front seat went too. Who knows what little tidbits are in that thing?

The whole thing was done, in and out, in about three minutes. Our guys left in two cars headed in different directions and Herman just followed the direction he was pointed all the way home. It was a beautiful operation and wonderfully done.

"It won't take them long to get home. Lizzy, half dozen bottles of Champagne."

"You got it, boss. In the Greenhouse?"

"Where else?"

"Can I come?" Becky asked.

"You better. This is all about you."

I took Becky down to the wine cellar so we could help Lizzie. We each took two bottles and a handful of champagne flutes and walked it out to the Greenhouse. And then we waited. Danny shut down and was coming into the Greenhouse when the cars pulled up the driveway. Not even dinner time and our mission was complete.

I brought my tablet with me and Danny had hooked me into the feed from the drone at the site of the hit job. Becky and I were looking at the view from the pigeon drone that was following him as he was screaming at his guys, naked in the middle of the road, trying to find a rock big enough to break a window so they could get their stuff. All the car keys and the keys to the house are in there with their clothes. When the guys flooded in, we were laughing our asses off. But that's when Lizzie popped the first cork and she, and Becky and I started chanting, "Caroline, Caroline, Caroline." All the boys joined in.

She walked in and bowed. The guys were hooting and hollering and just having a grand old time. I love seeing them after a mission. And this one was bloodless. I think I prefer that. Except for certain ones. Sometimes there is blood. But sometimes stuff like this is better. Rhee is not getting this CockMate back. There's always a next time for one of these babies when you're in my business.

"Alright, squad." I said, "As usual, outstanding job. Special props to our own Caroline, the queen of the cock blockers. If anyone cares to stop by my home office, I'd be happy to show you how our little man and his little man are doing. All of you are being sent the link so you can check in on Mr. Makoo at your leisure. It's not all pleasure though. If he's making a move and you see it, I want to know. Something he doesn't know yet, but will find out soon enough, is that his life is coming to an end and I control when that end happens. Me and my girl here." And I wrapped my arm around Becky. "Until then, it's no pussy for the rest of his life."

"Ever!" Becky shouted.

Everyone cheered.

"Does everyone have a glass of champagne?" And everyone called out that they did and held their glasses high. "To the best hit team on earth. To the very best people on earth. And to great success to us all into the future."

"The future!" Everyone called out and drank down their Champagne.

"Oh, and before we break, I have one more thing. Herman's been working his ass off down in the office to get RFS off the ground and growing. He's been doing a damned fine job of it."

"I hate it. I want to get back in the field. Fuckin' hire someone to run it and let me work."

"That's a promise, Herm.," Duane said as he walked over and embraced Herman. "Let's shoot for February. By then we should be solid, and Lizzie and Les are working on finding some people for me to interview. The only thing I'm gonna do is promise you Christmas and New Years. You'll be with us downtown. My little Georgie has already insisted that Uncle Herman be with us for the holidays, and although I am the big boss, he is the little boss."

"Aint that the truth." Herman said to laughs by all.

I dismissed the men but told Caroline, our hero of the day, to stick around. "Ladies," I said. "Let's go up and have drinks up on the sunporch."

Becky looked at me with strength in her eyes. "Can I just stay out here and smoke a joint?"

"Better idea. Two bottles, two joints."

"On it," Lizzie said. And Caroline went with to help. Becky and I sat back on a couple of lounge chairs just breathing the delicious aroma of growing flora. Nothing smelled quite like the Greenhouse. Lizzie and Caroline returned with four glasses and two bottles and they were passing the first joint between them. Caroline dropped her bottle and two glasses at the table and handed the joint off to Becky, who took the biggest hit I've ever seen. And from such a little one. When we were done, the Greenhouse smelled very different. Very different, indeed.

It was fun, chatting and giggling and passing the tablet around so we could share the trials and tribulations of Mr. Makoo. We had to hold onto each other. We were laughing so hard as he stomped around throwing things and screaming at everyone, including who knows who on his supercell, which he managed to reattach.

I was ready to let it go. I was beat. Between meetings downtown, to the funeral, to this operation, it had all taken it out of me. Fortunately, there were no pressing missions on the horizon, so I'm going to take some time and visit friends and be with the kids. The one job I had was Gloria Tuttlehill. I had to have a new master for her in place, before I kill Makoo, and, with any luck, before she has the baby. I do not want this kid named Malcolm and I will do anything I must to prevent it. But Rapper Malone must be in place before I can end Makoo's life, and I must do everything in my power, as soon as possible, to bring them together. Tomorrow, Cee Cee and Kimmie are swimming at a meet down in West Chester. I think I'll go along with Holly for the ride. I'm sure Gloria will be there and I expect Rapper Malone will too. He'd better. Or I'm gonna have to remind him who his boss is.

"Call Herman."

"Yes, Hannah."

"Herm. What are you doing Saturday?"

"Nothing in particular. I'm not going into the fucking office, if that's what you're getting at."

"No. I'm getting the feeling you are getting itchy there and I want to see what we can do to get you back in the field. As the squad does more, I'm gonna need you more. You're my number one guy. You are our best leader and the men and women look to you as such. What I'd like to ask is if you can come to Cee Cee's swim meet at..."

"Yes. Tell me when and where. I will be there."

"Celeste would be thrilled at how quickly you answered my question."

"She's my star. I certainly can't take all the credit for that, but every time I see her swim, it brings tears to my eyes."

"She is a star, isn't she?"

"You bet. I promised her this coming year I would teach her to snorkel and by the end of the summer, she will be scuba diving."

"Like in the ocean?"

"Nah, not yet. We'll start in the pool. And you've got to travel these days to find an ocean worth diving in. There are so many dead spots on the east coast, it's not worth the effort. Maybe when the girls hit their teens, you can fly them down to the islands to see a beauty few people get to see any more."

"Oh, I don't know if we need to wait that long."

"I would. My gut says that the longer you wait, the prettier it will be. I have a nephew from Jersey who is down in Florida on a reef reclamation project. He says the root pieces they have brought back to life have taken and are starting to grow. They are not yet flourishing, but he says that every day they see new colors. He said that there are teams down in the islands doing a different kind of work, but that the reefs there are at ninety percent coloration. Boy, would I love to take the kids through that. Watch their little eyes bug out."

"When it's time, my friend, you will lead the charge. You have my word."

"Thanks, Hannah. I'll see you in the morning."

-----------------------------------

The meet was not scheduled until eleven, so at nine I called Gloria.

"Hannah. I'm so glad you called. You were on my list, but I had to call the swimmers first. Problems at the pool in West Chester, so I convinced them to come here to hold the meet. It's still at eleven, but at our pool."

"But you're only a two-lane set up."

"Please, Hannah. For the little ones, those two lanes become four really quick. In fact, my pool guy is setting it like that right now with one of the guards."

"Anyone in particular?"

"Yeah, Han. One of my new guys, named Rapper Malone."

"Special?"

"He sure is good lookin' and built like a brick fortress. He's a good choice for the team and easy on the eyes. Rapper has also been very sensitive to my pregnancy. I think he's a keeper."

"Good. You've been happy with the service since you dumped AAA?"

"Night and day, Hannah. Your guys are amazing. And I like that two of the crew are women. Strong, but not bitchy. And they know who the boss is and who the boss isn't."

"Damned right. Our people are the best. We pick 'em right, train 'em right, and treat 'em right. Satisfaction guaranteed. Has Duane persuaded you to increase your protection?"

"We just brought in Mr. Malone and I've been promised two more. I talked to Herman, who also said that there were two more in the pipeline."

"Do you feel comfortable with that?"

"I guess. So far, what I know is that I have more guards now. I am more at ease now that if something emergent happens, they are better prepared to handle it." And thank God they were. Because the prescient statement she just made would help change the course of her life.

Saturday was not about a swim meet. Not to me, although that part was fun. Especially when Cee Cee took home a first-place trophy in the freestyle in her class, and a first place in her class in the breaststroke. It was more about Rapper Malone. I wanted to see the man work. I wanted to know as much about him as I could take in. Get my best read on whether he truly is our guy. He seemed to know what to do, and he paid special attention to Gloria. No matter what he was called to do, he always came back to her. And when he did, there I was.

"Mr. Malone," Gloria asked. "Do you know Miss Todd?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"You two work for the same company."

"Yes, ma'am, but she's the boss."

"She is also my very dear friend. Which is why, I believe, she put you on my detail. Any ideas why she may have done that?"

I looked over at Madone. What is Gloria getting at?

"Well, ma'am, begging your pardon, but Miss Todd and I had a conversation before I was assigned and when I told her that in the course of my duties both military and civilian, I'd delivered four babies, all vaginal, all successfully, she told me she had the perfect detail for me."

"You know what we call your boss in our circle?"

"No, ma'am."

"The Queen Bee. That's the kind of power she wields. I may have more money than her, but when it comes to power, she's got it over any woman in the tri-state area. She knows everyone from business moguls to bikers, doctors to degenerates. If you think you're gonna get one over on Hannah Todd, you better think again."

"No, ma'am. I'd never..."

"Don't worry about it, Rapper." I said, "My friend here is just a miserable, sore, pregnant lady about to burst. Once this kid is delivered, and she has some time to recover, she'll be the great Glorious One that we all know and love."

When the meet was over, most of the people leaving stopped by to see Gloria and to wish her luck with the baby. I begged off and told her I'd call tomorrow and maybe stop by. I also told her to keep a close eye on Rapper. She said that would be easy to do. Good.

While Holly and Celeste talked to a woman I didn't recognize, and her daughter, one of the little swimmers, about Celeste's age, I watched how Rapper handled the people as they bade Gloria farewell. He didn't let that many near her at once, and he had them keep their distance. It was easy to see he was doing a great job. Representing the company as one of my people should.

When we got home, Cee Cee went up to her room and pulled out her tablet and logged her times for today. Holly always timed her, in case there were no official times for the race, and she logged it each and every time. Following it shows the progress of a seven-year-old becoming eight, then nine, and times dropping seconds at almost every meet. She would bring that ledger app to her mom occasionally and the analytical mind of Holly, which seems to be making a reemergence, makes her extremely proud.

Lizzie and Becky were not to be found. They could only be in one place. And it was on too loud and they were laughing too damned much. "Alright, you two, what the fuck is going on?"

And they both pointed to the screen. There must have been a half dozen naked and half naked chicks in his bedroom with him, trying to get into his pants and him pushing them away, calling for his guys. They were undressing him and kissing him, and one girl even mounted his face and stuck her bare pussy in his mouth. I started laughing too. It was hard to stop.

"Alright Hannah, how did you make this happen?"

"Easy. We rescued a couple of girls from the Reading raid and over the past week or so have found, through our research and the help of the Spanner organization, a few more. We got them together and told them we knew where Master Malcolm was and we would take them to him if they wished. They all did. So, I had Caroline rent a service that would pick them up and drop them off at his Pottstown address. One of the girls will have a note that she will leave with him when they are finally kicked out and picked up. It will warn him that the cops are being notified of his location as well as the Soul Riders."

"Well," Becky said, "Doesn't look like they've been able to kick the girls out yet. They are really attacking him. Even that thing ain't stopping them."

"But it's stoppin' him."

And we just went back to laughing. He finally did get his guys to come in and rescue him. When he told the girls to get the hell out, they did. Then they walked the one block our driver told them to. He was waiting for them and he drove them to their separate locations. But I had to take Becky aside right now. It was time.

"Lizzie, could you leave Becky and I for a few?"

"Sure, boss. I wanna go see the kids, anyway."

"Becky. I think it's time."

"Time?"

"Yeah. Ronnie, Caroline and I are going to take you to the place you'll be staying for a while. We..."

"Don't I get to kill Master Malcolm?"

"You really want to do that, don't you?"

"You promised."

"And I don't break my promises. What you will do you will be doing for the many, many girls who have suffered under his hand. Don't worry about that. I don't want you associated with his killing in any way, shape or form. I don't want them even considering you as a suspect, although I am prepared to defend the hell out of you if they do. You camp out at Indian Springs for a couple weeks. Give Malcolm a chance to stew and suffer. I promise to come and get you when it's time and we'll do this together. Okay?"

"Okay. You have not steered me wrong yet. You say it and I'll do it."

"I like that. I find that's the best way to get things done right."

"So, when am I going?

"Monday. Ronnie and Caroline and I and a trailer car will take you in the morning and get you situated. You're registered and just have to sign in Monday and we'll get you into your room and comfy before we go. But, Becky, there's gonna be some rules, and they ain't gonna be easy to follow. First, speak to nobody outside the facility but me and my people. If you want to contact the Riders, or Hanger, you have to go through me. I don't want any signs that you are in Maryland trying to contact them in Pittsburgh. I know it's gonna be hard, especially when you want to talk to Hanger, but bear with me. Give me a little bit of time now, and I will give you a long, happy life later."

"Okay. What if..."

"There are no what ifs. There is only hush. Answer no questions, tell no tales that aren't at least five years old, except to your therapist. She will say that she will hold anything you say in confidence, but, again, say nothing about us. If she wants to know about our relationship, tell her that I am a benefactor whose cause is to help young girls in distress. I've got a background in that, so it won't be a stretch. I took you under my wing and I'm trying to make you whole. Tell them nothing about my organizations and the things we do. A slip of the lips may mean I wind up either living in a jail cell or in some obscure mountain range away from my loved ones."

"You really give it up, don't you?"

"Head to toes. Anything for my girls."

"Well, I'll do anything for you too. I won't say anything about anything without clearing it with you."

"That's my girl. Come downstairs with me"

We went downstairs to speak with Bertha. She was getting ready to send Mac out with a list to fetch from the Greenhouse, but I brought it to a halt. "Call the Stottsville Inn."

"Jerry, how's it been?"

"Yeah, the kids are great. It's just nice not to be pregnant... Aint that the truth. Listen, Jer, any chance I can get a couple of tables tonight, one for the kids and one for us. I'd say ten altogether. Yeah, six and four is perfect. Uh huh. You can actually fit us in at six-thirty? You're the best Jer. See you then."

"Call Mom and Dad Todd."

"Hannah, is that you?"

"It's me, Ma. Can I ask a favor?"

"Sure, darling, anything."

"I want to take the gang to the Stottsville for dinner tonight. Would you come over and help Aggie and Becca with the twins for a couple hours?"

"Let me see if I've got this right, dear. You're asking a fifty-seven-year-old grandmother if she wants to visit with her grandchildren and there will be a first-class cook and a nurse there, is that correct?"

"I'll take that as a yes, Ma. Resees are for six-thirty. Can you be here around five-thirty so we can have a minute together before we have to leave?"

"Fine. Your father is in the spare room playing with his golf machine. He's been talking about the twins a lot lately. I think we just need more time at your place."

"Ma. You're ten minutes away on a bad day. Come. Becca could use the help, Bertha could use the help, and, frankly, I think it's time to work on strengthening those family bonds."

"Well, my love, you'll get no argument from me. See you around five-thirty."

When the kids heard we were going out, they went wild and Becky couldn't stop laughing. I think she was just happy to have people in the house littler than her. Bertha was gonna have the night out with her man amongst friends, while her baby is tended to by Aggie, Becca and my parents. Domingo was home too. He had a domestic side and a soft side you wouldn't expect from a man who served two tours in combat zones and had a chest full of commendations for it. But put a baby in those massive arms of his and it will never find itself in a more warm, softer, safer place. There would also be someone working in The Closet and someone doing inside/outside duty.

Stottsville was great. When our procession entered, Jerry ran to us and threw his arms out. I embraced him and kissed him on the cheek. It was busy, so we didn't really get to talk. "Crazy busy tonight, Hannah. Thank God. Everyone looks great, and you. Get outta here, girl. Are you down to your fighting weight?"

"Right on the border, Jer, but I think I'm gonna screw that all up tonight."

"Ah, the heck with it. You'll run it all off tomorrow, right? Try the steak frites. It's on special tonight and I'll tell the chef it's for you it will be perfect. Just the way you like it."

"Ya know, Jerry, sometimes I wonder if I come here for the food or for you."

"You must be coming for me, 'cause the best cook in the county works for you. When can I steal you away, Bertha? I can make a pretty penny with the best cook in the county cookin' in my kitchen."

"Yeah, I thank you, Mr. Jerry, but ain't nobody takin' me away from my family. You can call me Bertha Smith MacGregor Todd-Bernstein."

Everyone at the table cracked up. And the tables next to us too. Both Bertha and Mac had contagious laughs, and they had us all cracking up. It's nice to see them relax together and taking the time to just enjoy each other. She truly works so hard for and never says no to anything I ask of her. She truly is the jewel in the middle of the Queen's crown. Speaking of jewels.

At the kiddie table was this big hulk of a man, whose shadow they could all sit in. Herman used to be at the house all the time, but now with the business and him running things when Duane isn't, we don't see him as much. I told him I was going to change that, and it starts tonight. The kids were in awe of him and called him Uncle Herman. He was the one who took the time to teach them to swim. Every time he sees Celeste get in the pool, he gets excited for her, knowing she has that special edge he brought into her life. And today he got to see her bring home two trophies to add to her collection. And when they were awarded to her, the first person she went to was Herman. On top of that, although we don't yet know where the Olympics will be, that 2064 is Celeste's year, and he's coming with us. He nearly broke down and cried when I told him.

Dinner was outstanding, and now I'm drinking wine with it. Something red with the Steak Frites, which were delicious. Cooked to perfection. The kids were great and Jerry checked on us several times and twice told us how well behaved the kids are. I told him to wait till we bring the twins around. Then it will be time to batten down the hatches. When I told him that, he pointed to a back corner of the Inn. "You bring the twins and we'll put you up over there where you can have some partial privacy and the ability to work as the cohesive unit you always are."

"It's always easy to keep the troops under control when I've got a big ass NAVY Seal watching over them. Not much gets past my people."

"Nothin' gets past you, Hannah Todd. You are a force of nature."

"Well, thank you, Jerry. I just usually settle for Badass."

"Oh, you are definitely that, too. The baddest."

Out we filed, Herman leading like the mother duck with her ducklings waddling behind her. Becky shook her head and just smiled at me. "Boy, I wish I had your life."

"You want my life, Becky Gaffney. Herman, take Holly and the kids. I'm going with Duane."

"Yes, ma'am." That certainly made the kids happy. More time with Herman is good time. He always had a war story, and he always cleaned them up just right.

As we headed home, I put it to Becky. "If you really want to be me, you can. But it just doesn't happen by itself and it doesn't happen overnight. Ya gotta bleed a little and sweat a lot. Is that what you're willing to do?"

"I'll do anything I have to do. I'll do anything you tell me to."

"It's not what I tell you to do, it's what you decide to do and do it. Action is the key. You can think about it and talk about it all day and all night, but ain't nothin' happenin' till you do something about it. I am where I am, mostly because of happenstance. I simply got lucky. But what really made me what I am today is what I did with that luck."

"True that." Lizzie said. "You see what she's done in the past week? Pretty amazing shit, eh?"

"Really amazing shit."

"Well, I've turned amazing shit into a business. I can't save everyone, but I can save the girls."

"You saved me. Totally." And then she started to whimper and then a full out cry. I held her close and took her head in my hands.

"Listen, girl. You wanna be me, here's where you start. Monday you're going to a place where you will be spending at least several months. Put that time to good use. During that time, I want you to think about your future and what you want to do. I want you to read books, and the internet and find things that interest you and something that can start as a hobby and maybe turn it into a passion that may even turn into a business, like Hanger has in the business he built with Quay. There will be times when I can connect you with Hanger or Toothy or Cassie. But there may be long periods when you must go radio silent. Becky, you're going to kill a man and there's a lot that goes into that if you want to do it right. And not get caught. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Bueno. Tomorrow, we'll get you all packed to go. You won't be able to take all your new clothes, but I will hold them for you until you give me a place to ship them. Just know there will be lots of pajamas and lounge wear going with you. And sweats and jeans. You'll be taking a RFS sweatshirt and, hopefully, wearing it proudly."

"Always. Do I get a hat too?"

"Sure. We've got a couple RFS hats around. How about one that just says, 'Royce?' It's what our uniformed guys wear."

"That's even better. In honor of the Boss Man."

"Exactly. Becky, never worry about falling as you move ahead. I will always be here to catch you."

It was getting late, and everyone was off to bed. But I was feeling guilty. I went into the nursery and Aggie was just snuggling down on the daybed. Bertha and Mac took Ellie home, and the house was at its quietest. I didn't want to disturb them while they slept so peacefully so I just stood there, my hands on each of the cribs, watching my littlest ones.

I was quietly apologizing for being such a terrible mother and being away from them so much, when a big strong arm wrapped around my shoulder. I fell right into it. It is my favorite place. It is my happy place. "Come to bed, mother. Let's let them rest and you rest."

"What, big guy, nothin' in the tank?"

"I have a weakness for hot blondes, I've always got something for you."

And he did. It wasn't a space launch, but it wasn't suborbital either. I don't think either of us had the energy for the real deal tonight. We'll get there. The important thing is we want to. And we want to get there together.

--------------------------------------

Sunday morning, we all slept in. Except the kids, who had hung a handmade banner over the fireplace that said, "Bon voyage Becky." They were helping Bertha make custom pancakes for Becky. She had this thing that let her write on the cooked side of the pancakes while the other side is cooking. Little messages like "We'll miss you," and "Come back soon." Something else to make our girl cry. But I say bring on those tears of joy. Flush out that clogged up system and let this girl thrive.

When she came down the stairs, Becky was met by the kids, who took her hands and walked her into the family room where the banner they made hung proudly. Becky did not disappoint, and the waterworks flowed. But just a little. Georgie came up to her and grabbed her hand and said, "Don't cry, Becky. We don't want you to be sad."

"Oh, Georgie, I'm not sad. I'm very, very happy. Sometimes girls act that way."

"Boy, don't I know it," he said. And it must have struck Bertha's funny bone, because when I got downstairs, she was still laughing. But Ellie was giving her fits this morning, so ended up just leaving her with Mac and came over to cook breakfast. I'd give her the rest of the day off, once the kids were off to school. Sometimes a new mother just needs a day. Becca and Aggie would watch the twins while I took the big ones and Becky out for one special treat before she has to go.

"Is that bacon I smell," Becky asked.

"Yep. Tell her kids. If it's Sunday, its..."

"BACON!" They all called out.

"I can have bacon?"

"Sure, Becky. We always have bacon on Sundays. It's our special treat."

"Other than the other day, I haven't had bacon since before Cee Cee was born."

"Well, little missy, have all the bacon you want today." And she did.

"Alright, everybody. I want you all cleaned up and in warm clothes were going to take Becky to a special place before she goes."

"Ooh, ooh, ooh," said Celeste. "I know where, I know where."

"Ah, Cee Cee, don't take all the fun out of it for me. I know you know."

"It's Longwood Gardens, isn't it?" little Georgie said.

"Boy, I can't surprise any of you. I'm losing my touch. So, what do you think, gang?"

"Yay."

"Call Gloria."

"Hannah? What's up?"

"We're going to Longwood. Think the girls might want to come?"

"Well, they're right here waiting on me hand and foot. I'll ask them."

"Oh, no, Glor. I don't want to take them away from you."

"Are you kidding? They're driving me crazy. Take them. Do you want to go to Longwood with Hannah and her family, girls?"

"Yay. Yes, yes, yes."

"Well, we're affirmative here, Han. As usual, Hilly is with us."

"We just assume Hilly will be with us. She's part of the family."

"Not yet, but who knows?"

"Oh?"

"We'll talk."

"We'll stop by and pick the girls up around noonish. I'll give you the once over before we go."

"You are a dream, Hannah Todd."

"Speaking of dreams, how's that dreamy new guard of yours?"

"Oh, he's something. If I wasn't such a mess, I'd definitely get urges. But the only urge I get these days is to lose fifty pounds. But he is nice to look at. Thanks for that."

"See ya soon, Glor."

I looked around and everyone was just finishing breakfast, except Becky, who was on probably her tenth piece of bacon. Bertha kept cooking it up and putting it in front of her and she kept eating it. "Alright. Listen up, people. As soon as you are finished breakfast, upstairs, brush your teeth, clean yourselves up and jeans, preferably the flannel lined ones, and sweaters or sweats are the order of the day. Go you rug rats." And off they scurried. Becky wasn't far behind, munching on her last piece of bacon. It made me think, and I dropped that thought on Bertha. Let's see what comes of it.

Figuring Becky had no idea what she was getting into, I went up to assist. "Knock, knock, it's me."

"Come in, come in, Hannah."

She was going to throw a tee shirt over her bra and a sweatshirt over that. "Not enough darling." And I went through her drawers and found something I knew I ordered, a pair of thermal underwear, top and bottom. Kids Large. "Put these on, then a turtle neck and then your sweatshirt if you'd like. When we go, you'll wear your big puffy coat, and I will too."

"You're frightening me, Hannah. What is this place?"

"If you love our greenhouse, you're gonna love this place. Trust me?"

"You keep asking and I keep trusting and so far, it's worked out pretty damned good for me."

I don't think Domingo ever takes a day off. He always seems to be there when I need him. He led the cavalcade with me, Becky and my kids, followed by Ronnie, who was carting around Holly, Lizzie and Celeste. When we got to the Tuttlehills, there would be a car and two operators to carry Harry and Hilly and when we left for Longwood Gardens, Cee Cee would go with them and Kimmie, and the other agent would jump in Holly's car. We'd never be far apart, so we always had strength in numbers.

Speaking of strength, neither Duane nor Herman would be with us. They'd be up in our home office going through resumes and bios and making phone calls. The business was doing great. Too great. We were collecting customers like crazy, but we needed people. If we can't fill the slots, we can't accept the business. But I have confidence in my two big guys.

The trip to Longwood Gardens was short and fun. I had Peach sing us a song from the school musical, in which she was a performer. Both Peach and Becky knew some old Taylor Swift songs, and they sang them. Before we knew it, we were there. The gardens do not open officially for their Annual Longwood Christmas Gardens until tomorrow, but because we are Premium Members and are Benefactors to Longwood, we are allowed the limited entrance that everyone else has to wait till tomorrow to gain. No crowds. The eateries were taking their virtual first runs, and the food was mostly pickups. Fun and delicious.

As I expected, Becky was gaga when we entered the place. Peach took her by the hand as they walked. And when her hands got cold, my little Georgia held them to her mouth and blew on them to warm them up. Now I could have cried. Even more so when I looked around me. Georgia had Becky by the hand, Celeste was between Harry and Hilly, holding their hands, and my little Georgie was between Holly and Lizzie. What a wonderful family we are. And in three or four or ten years from now, their little sister and brother will be walking right alongside us and will marvel just as little Becky Gaffney is doing right now.

I will not go into any detail about Longwood Gardens, other than that Lizzie took extensive photos and videos throughout. If you've read my prior Bridge House stories, you know enough about the place. It's been around forever. Visit. You'd like it. And if you haven't read my Bridge House tales, well, you don't know what Toothy says.

When we dropped the Tuttlehill girls off, Celeste and Holly stayed with them, and Becky jumped in with us. We were in the Navigator, so there was a ton of room. Domingo always drives just a little slower when the kids are in the car, but I never scold him. As a father, he thinks of the responsibilities of driving with some of the morons on the road. Not as many as there used to be, though, because not as many people own cars.

"So, Becky, what did you think of Longwood Gardens?"

"Righteous, awesome, out of this world."

"Does Hanger garden?"

"Yeah. How did you know that? So did Quay."

"I kind of figured that given your fascination with the Greenhouse. Maybe you can make that your calling. I understand that where you will be staying, they keep well-tended gardens where the patients learn agricultural and horticultural sciences. It could lead you in a whole new direction. And if you decide to return to the club, you could immediately earn your keep."

"I think I've already made my mind up about that. It's just a matter of when."

"I kind of thought so. I was hoping. Alright. Let's get these kids fed. Bertha left a vat of her tomato soup in the fridge and we're having grilled cheese sandwiches to go with. Side salads for those who wish. After they are squared away, you and I have to go through some clothes and separate the wheat from the chaff. I'm keeping the chaff here. I have hanging storage bins downstairs in the basement, that I'll keep everything in until you need it. The focus for you is comfy clothes."

So, we went down and Lizzie and I cooked up grilled cheese sandwiches and Holly warmed up the soup. We fed them and the gals had a grilled cheese each and a cup of soup. I was waiting for Duane to get done, because I wanted to eat with them.

Becky and I took about half an hour selecting which was which and what was what. She was packing two bags, and I told her that once she's been there a few days to get a feel for what her needs are and when we talk, and we will talk, I'll dish out anything she needs to her by parcel post, or take it with if I'm visiting.

I encouraged her to go to bed early as we'll be having an early day and a full one. Big changes are coming for her and I don't want it to shock her too much. But I know a little something that's going to take a little bit of the sting out of it. Also, she wanted to see the twins one more time, and that's an ask I can't refuse. It's one I can't miss.

We went in together and she looked over them, left to right, boy to girl. She started to hum. Don't you know it? Dina did that thing babies do when they are sucking tit. And then Becky whispered to them.

"Hi Diva. Hi Duanee. It's your Aunt Tiny. I've got to go away for a while, but I'll be back to see ya soon. You're very lucky, you two. Your mommy is the Queen of the Universe and will watch over you forever. I know because she watches over me. Love you little Royce babies. I always will. As long as I live, there will always be a place for you. Mind your mommy. She is wise and wonderful and will keep you on the right path. Bye, little ones." And she hunched over to reach each of them and kiss them on the head. Yes, my eyes were wet. Are yours? Shame on you if they're not.

I told her she could soak in the hot tub if she wanted for a while. She thought she'd rather just hit the sack. Tomorrow is going to come quickly. So, I tucked her in and went to the office where Duane and Herman were just closing shop.

"So, boys, did you just waste eight hours, or do we have some progress?"

"I think we did great," said Herman. "I talked to four guys who are coming in for interviews, all experienced, all top-notch. A lot of vets."

"Good. I like hiring vets. I sleep with one."

"Everyone's aware, Hannah."

"Yeah, Duane, but I can't stop spreadin' the news."

"You see, Herm, it's the rich bitches that are the toughest. They grind you down and wear you out and chew you up and spit you out."

"Goodness," Herman said.

"There you go, my man. I'm the Dragon Lady again."

"You're not a Dragon Lady. You just are sometimes a little insensitive to some people's needs."

"Ask anyone if I'm insensitive. Lizzie?"

"You. Insensitive? I don't think so.

"Holly?"

"I abstain. I'm staying out of it."

"Uh. Cut to the quick. My own wife, if nothing else, inferring that I am insensitive. None of my friends thinks I'm insensitive."

"They're all women. Your insensitivity is toward men. You have no compunction but to trash a man if you do not think he is being who and what you think he should be. It's not fair. And sometimes it borders on harassment. I've seen it in your relations with some of my people, and I resent it, Hannah. You've put me in difficult positions more than once for no good reason. Whatever the opposite of misogyny is, I think you've got it."

"Whoa. I think I just got whiplash. Obviously there are some things I need to discuss with Aria, and maybe you should be along for the ride as well. If we have issues, I want them resolved sooner rather than later. Lately, the only problem I've really had with you is not enough dick."

"Hannah!" Holly called out. "That's crude, and it's rude."

"Balls and strikes, Holl. Balls and strikes."

"Come on downstairs and let me feed you gentlemen. Hungry men are even harder to deal with than well-fed men. I've got some soup brewing and I'm making grilled cheese."

"I love grilled cheese," Herman said.

Holly went up to bed, and so did Lizzie. Not long after showing Becky some shots, she took at Longwood Gardens of her in the gardens and with the kids and with me. And with everyone. She printed a photo, taken on a timer of all of us in a most beautiful part of the Gardens, and put it into a frame that she removed another picture from. The frame said 'Family' at the bottom. And Lizzie snuck into the room Becky was sleeping in and set it atop the luggage.

We carried Celeste into Georgia's room and tucked her in. Herman would crash in his protégé's room for the night. His big feet hung off the bed. He wasn't going anywhere, and we weren't letting him. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.

---------------------

I woke at six on Monday, but Duane was already gone. Not even Bertha was here, and the kids were still asleep. Even the babies. But you just knew that any minute it could all erupt and go to shit in a nanosecond. But Becky was restless, and as I was getting ready to hit the nursery she was coming out of her room. As soon as she saw me, she ran to me, wrapped her arms around me and gave me a big kiss.

"Are you ready for this?" I asked her.

"I'm ready. You prepared me well."

Bertha showed up and got coffee started and started the batter for pancakes. Aggie and I marched down the stairs with the freshly changed twins in hand, followed by Danny, who was working the Closet, but was commandeered to bring down the baby seats. And then right back up he ran. Lizzie was upstairs in the videoconference room, working from home.

After half finishing my first cup of coffee, I went up to wake the kids and get them into routine. The only one who really needs any help is Georgie, and he doesn't need much. Clothing is all laid out the night before, so there are no surprises. Once everyone was together, down they trooped and Bertha started dishing out pancakes and sausages. Sausages are a rare treat, but for Becky, I wanted to make this day special in many ways. And I did. But I didn't do it alone. It took a little bit of romance.

I called the Soul Riders the day before and spoke to Hanger. I told him that Becky was going away Monday and that if he wanted that last goodbye, I'd send a chopper for him. He said that he was going to drop everything and jump on his chopper, and he should be here in plenty of time. We shall see. Will love conquer all?

The kids got off without much of a fuss, but everyone wanted to hug and kiss Aunt Becky, and wish her farewell.

Hanger knew to look out for Ronnie at the junction about two miles from the house. The two of them bonded at the funeral and you could say they were 'tight.' When Ronnie called my cell and said, "I have Condor," I knew it was time to start talking.

"Becky. I meant to tell you that the other day I called and talked to Hanger. I offered to send the chopper for him, but he said the hell with that." Her face saddened. I never saw a smile drop so quickly. Then I could hear it. The rumble was light but distinct.

"He said, 'Fuck that, I'm a biker. I don't fly;' I ride." And then it got loud. And we could see the two bikes, now side by side, approaching the driveway and they took the right into the drive together, like they'd been doing it all their lives. Ronnie stopped at the bottom of the driveway as Hanger slowly crawled toward us. Becky was crying outside of herself. She got to where she could not catch her breath. And then, like a miracle, she stopped. It happened the minute Hanger took the helmet off his head and placed it on the back rack. Then he threw his leg over the cycle and stood up and stretched. He put his hands out and she ran to him. Like she was running for her life. She grabbed on to him, looked up at him, way up at him, and presented herself for him to kiss. He did not disappoint.

"What the fuck is everyone doing out here? It's fuckin' freezing. Inside, everyone. Hanger, I've got a cup of coffee for you like none you've ever had before."

I don't know what Hanger was expecting when he came in and there were two little black babies on the kitchen island table and one black baby coming in with a red headed Scotsman. But he just shook his head and was the gentleman he has always been to me. Becky, who was wearing Quay's colors and had planned to travel in them, clung to Hanger. And he hung right back. While Bertha was cooking up something a little heartier for our guest, Becky came over to me to say that she and Hanger want to talk to me in private before she goes. I told her that as soon as Hanger is done his breakfast to grab him and me and we'll find a private space. "And Becky?"

"Yes, Miss Hannah."

"Let him eat. He should take his time. Don't even mention this till he's done."

"You think of everything."

"The key to thinking of everything, Becky, is to think of everybody. Put the people first and the rest will fall behind."

"I love you."

"I love you right back. Let's see how Hanger's doing with breakfast."

When we got downstairs, Herman had just arrived in yesterday's clothes. I told him to get his ass up to the bathroom and shower, and to take something from Duane's closet. They are close to the same size. Duane's just a bit shorter and a little less 'cut', if you know what I mean. No breakfast until then was the threat. Maybe I am really a bitch. Who am I fooling? I'm absolutely a bitch. But I'm nobody's bitch.

Hanger was finished and into his second cup. He drinks it like I do. Strong and black, like my man. Becky's too, apparently. So, I grabbed another cup and Becky asked Bertha for a cup of tea.

"Anything special, little missy, of just regular old black pekoe?"

"Something herbal?"

"Chamomile?"

"Perfect."

"Get into that tea, Becky, I don't think they serve caffeinated coffee or tea where you're going."

"Bummer. But I'm getting clean. If that's what I got to do, then that's what I got to do."

"Good attitude, Becky. Hanger, you know I'm usually the one who says the way things go around here."

"Amen to that," Holly said.

"When she starts talkin' like that, Hanger, ya better listen. Cause that's the way it's gonna be," Becky said with a big grin on her face.

"See, Tiny knows. Here's what's going to happen. First, we're going to take our girl to the place where she will be staying. And you're coming too. We're going to check her in, make sure that everything is squared away and first rate. Maybe I can get you in for the grand tour. Then, maybe, we'll help her with some unpacking and orientation. Then we're going to give you two some time to say your farewells, then we'll collect Hanger, kiss you goodbye and off we'll go. We good?"

"I'm good," said Becky. "That's great with me," Hanger said. "Every minute with Tiny is a good minute."

He's a romantic. I hope she appreciates it. Speaking of romantic. Hanger asks how we were going and is he following on his bike and can he take Tiny on the back for some of the ride. 'Whup, whup, whup, whup.'

'Nope, we're not driving and we're not riding." Now it wasn't just the loud noise but dust being kicked up at the front of the house. "Were taking the chopper!" Becky said.

"Chopper?"

"It's a helicopter."

"I know."

"Have you ever flown in a helicopter?"

He pointed to a patch on his jacket that had the word Airborne above the head of an eagle. "Until I got my fuckin' wits about me, I lived in helicopters for two years. But I had to get out."

"Oh," I asked. "Not a big fan of flying?"

"Oh no. The flying part was fine. It was the getting shot at part I didn't like so much."

"That makes a lot of sense. How long were you in the Army?" I asked.

"Five years, eleven months and twenty-six days. But who counted? I got kinda lucky. They called it combat lucky. Wounded enough to get you off the line, but still able to perform in some capacity as active duty. I went to the motor pool, and I found a home there. I would have been a lifer if I could have put up with the bullshit, but it just got to me."

"I didn't know they were still active."

"Not anymore, I think. They were re-instituted at the beginning of the Race War to prosecute foreign wars, while other units protected the cities and towns of America. When they stopped destroying Europe and Asia, who finally laid down their arms, they found that the only course of action to take was to find a way to rebuild. Even while vast populations were starving to death faster than aid could get even close."

"That's a pretty ugly story, Hanger." I said.

"Ain't no pretty wars, Miss Todd. They don't bring nothin' but pain and misery."

"True enough."

That's when Duane came through the kitchen door after shutting down the chopper. As soon as he walked through the door, I sidled myself up to him and nuzzled into his chest. He put his arms around me and kissed me on the neck. Right on that spot that reminds me I've got a vagina. I turned, so that I faced him, looked up into those big brown eyes and he bent down and gave me a big kiss. Not like the kind where he's gonna jump on me and fuck me, but the kind that lets me know he's got something for me for later.

"How romantic." Becky said. And she turned and slapped Hanger on the chest.

I looked at Becky like she had six heads. "Wait a minute, Becky. Are you trying to tell me that this man is not romantic? Okay. He hears that a girl he has feelings for is going away for a time and if he drives two hundred and fifty miles in the freezing fucking cold, in the dead of night to a place he's never been to spend fifteen minutes talking to this girl before off she goes away. Then what's he gonna do? He's gonna turn around and ride another two hundred and fifty miles home. Romantic? Becky, if you won't fuck this guy, I will." Everybody but Becky cracked up.

"Oh, Hannah, please don't fuck my man. I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you. I..."

"Please Becky. You are a good friend of mine. I would never fuck your man. But is he your man?"

She looked up at Hanger. "Are you my man, Hanger?"

"Oh, Tiny, praise God, please let me be your man."

She ran over to him and wrapped herself around him and gave him one of those 'I want to fuck you right now' kisses. But she pulled away, took his hand and came to me. "Hannah. Can we talk now? Just a little. Just us three."

So, I led them up to the office where Lizzie was at her desk conferencing with Les on her laptop.

"What's up with McKelly?"

"She thinks she's got the ginger you're looking for."

"Yeah. How tall?"

"Five-three."

"I was hoping for shorter, but we should be able to make that work. Is it someone we think has long-term possibilities with us?"

"Absolutely. I think she has the potential to be a field agent. Not the big buff kind. The sneaky kind."

"I guess we need all kinds. Lizzie, could I have the room for a few?"

"Sure, boss. Just let me know when you're done."

As she was getting ready to say goodbye to Les, I peered around the laptop to say my farewell to her as well.

Lizzie left and closed the door behind her and it was just the three of us. "Sit guys. Talk to me."

They looked at each other, then they looked at me. Then they looked at each other. Hanger nodded his head. Becky spoke.

"Hannah, I guess it's no secret that Hanger and I have something going on, but even we're not sure what it is. We do want to find. Hanger says he's one hundred percent sure about how he feels, but I have these unresolved issues that I'm going away to fix. He's a good man, and he understands and is giving me all the space I need. And, brother, do I need space. We're not having sex, Hannah, for two reasons. One, it's too soon after Quay's death and it would be disrespectful. I'd rather have to masturbate for two years than dishonor Quay."

"Me too." Hanger said.

"You made me understand what it is to have goals. Watching little Cee Cee in the pool was a revelation to me. Watching that little girl stroking away as hard as she could, pushing herself to the limit, only to emerge victorious. And taking those two trophies to Herman before anyone else. Did you see his chest puff out? I never saw a prouder man. Herman is the Navy SEAL who taught the kids to swim."

"Yeah, that's some story."

"And this kid thinks she is going to the Olympics in 2064, and there ain't nobody gonna tell her she ain't. If they try, they're gonna have to get past me first. Hannah, I know I have feelings for Hanger, but I'm afraid to express them. We talked about it and we're gonna try to be in touch as much as you can allow. See if we can build something together while I'm rebuilding myself. We promised to be true to each other for now and not date around. There's one thing I know, though."

"What's that, Becky?"

"My most pleasant thoughts will be about Hanger."

"Solid. That's what I'm talking about. Becky, get your purse and your big puffy coat and let's get to flyin'. The chopper is loaded."

Long story, short. We dropped Becky off; me, Duane, Hanger, and Becky went to her suite with her. Yes, it wasn't a room; it was a suite. Once we dropped off her bags, they took us all on a tour. The facilities were both beautiful and immaculate, in an old-fashioned kind of way. Indian Springs Country Estate turned out to be exactly what I thought it would be, but beyond. They were really helping people. Folks much worse off than our Becky. But rich folk. Only we could afford this kind of thing. From the beginning, poor Becky Gaffney was dealt a bad hand. Finally, she drew the right card. The Queen of Spades. And it appeared that nobody minded Hanger and Becky walking around in their colors.

We flew home where Duane dropped us and I convinced Hanger to stay for at least the night. We have a guest room with a big bed. You know, for those nights when I'm lookin' for some pussy and I kick him out for the night. Hanger did just fine there. In fact, we had a great visit with him.

He was overwhelmed by the hospitality and especially by the way the kids greeted and treated him when they got home from school. Celeste and Holly were not with them. It was a swim day and both Harriet and Celeste were practicing for meets they were scheduled to be in down in Unionville. They would have dinner with Gloria and her family and we will see them after that. Lizzie was still with us, and working from home. So, dinner would be a small crew and we would only need one of the two casseroles Bertha made.

Conversation was brisk during dinner. Hanger tried to have fun with the kids, but not at their expense. He could tell there was no getting over on them. Then Hanger made a very close friend when, in conversation, he discovered Georgie's passion for gardening.

"Ya know, George, I garden."

Georgie looked up at Hanger, which he had to crane his neck to do, and said, "You garden? You gotta see The Farm. Mommy. Can I take Hanger to see The Farm and the Greenhouse?"

"Right after dinner, dear, but don't wolf your food down. And you have to help Bertha clean up after dinner. You and your sister."

"Okay, Mommy." they said in unison.

When we were all finished, Lizzie was going upstairs to see to the twins for a minute and then jump on the system with Les. I went down to The Farm with Hanger and the kids. Needless to say, he was very impressed. Georgie took his hand and moved him down row after row, then into the Greenhouse to the regular side and then the hydroponics side, where Georgie pulled two leaves off a spinach plant and handed one to Hanger and kept one himself. He took a bite out of the leaf and so did Hanger. "Good, Georgie. Is all your produce so good?"

"Yep." Georgie said and stuck his chest out. "And it grows all year round."

"I know, George. I have a hydro set up too. Not nearly as big as this one, but behind my house I have a large lot, and I have a sun porch off the house where I grow my hydros. It's all solar. That's Toothy's business."

"When we were out there for Quay's funeral, Duane and Toothy were talking about that, one businessman to another." I told him we should talk further about his business. With eighty percent of power being generated by the sun, Solar is a solid business now, and something like his solar installations, maintenance and repair business sounds like something I'd like to put some money into. But that's for us and Toothy to talk about. I'm sure we'll find a place there for Hanger. Or maybe just his own place. With Becky, I hope.

"Yeah, those two just bonded. I never saw Toothy take to someone outside the club like he has to you two."

"I like to think of us as kinda special."

"You are way beyond special. Tiny's right about you. You are the Queen of the World. At least."

"That's kind of you, Hanger." That's when his supercell rang, and he said, "Shit. It's Toothy. I meant to call him. He's gonna cut my b..."

"Put him on speaker, Hanger. Let me diffuse this situation."

"Toothy."

"Hanger, where the fuck are you?"

"Shhh. Toothy. Kids around."

"Sorry. Hanger?"

"It's a long story, Toothy."

"Well, try to make it short."

"I found out Tiny was going to the hospital and that I might not see her for a long time. So, I jumped on my bike and rode through the night to see her off. Then Miss Todd invited me to go along on the helicopter ride to the hospital and invited me to stay overnight."

"How's Tiny doing?"

"She's great, Toothy. We got a tour of the place and it's first class all the way. Top shelf. The kind of thing you expect from Miss. Todd."

"Are you there, Hannah?"

"Yes, Toothy. How are you? How's Cassie and the kids?"

"They're great. I'll let Cass know you asked for her. I'm sorry if Hanger is an imposition. Sometimes I think he doesn't think things through all the way."

"Are you kidding me? Do you know how romantic this man is?"

"Hanger? Nah."

"Toothy, he rode two hundred and fifty miles in the middle of the night in the bitter cold to take fifteen minutes to tell our little girl how he feels about her before she goes away for, we don't know how long. Pretty romantic in my book."

"So, what am I going to do with you, Hanger? You take off, you don't tell anyone. We're all worried sick. People at your shop are ringing us at the clubhouse. We can't get you on your supercell. So, Hanger?"

"Sorry, Toothy. I just wasn't thinkin' 'bout nothin' but Tiny. I just had to see her, Toothy. I had to."

"Well, what now, Hanger?"

"Miss Todd has been kind enough to let me rest up, but I'm gonna hit the road late, late tonight and I'll be at the shop in the morning."

"Do you want me to send an escort for you?"

"Nah. You know me, I can handle a trip down the turnpike."

"We can send an escort, Toothy. I'll just assign two of my guys to bikes and they'll get him home."

"No, Hannah. He's a big boy. Let him ride alone and think about his actions."

"Yeah, right, Toothy. The only thing he is gonna be thinking of is Becky Gaffney."

"I guess you're right, Hannah."

"Oh, she's right," Hanger said. "I haven't been able to get her off my mind since she came back to us."

"Yeah, everyone in the club is thinking about Tiny."

"But not like I am."

"You love her, Hanger, don't you?"

"Something awful, boss."

"How does she feel about you?"

"She's confused right now, Tooth. But I think she does."

"She's crazy about him, Toothy. Becky just needs to square some things away in that adorable little head of hers. She just needs some time right now."

"Understood. Hannah, I can't thank you enough for the kindnesses you have shown to my people. I hope you and Ranger Ron and Duane will always consider yourselves Soul Riders. When the time is right, you will be properly patched."

"Fuckin' right! Hanger called out, then "Oooops, I'm sorry kids. Please pardon my language." As my children pointed at him, and said, "OOOOH, Dirty word."

"Sorry kids. "

"Toothy, we are doing Thanksgiving at my house in Romansville, but I want to create a video conference between us here, you out there and Tiny where she is, just so we can all share the day with her. Make it easier to get into a routine in the place she's staying."

"You have the club house numbers. Call us in the afternoon before dinner. The house will be filled with families, and I think that both you and Tiny would like that."

"Done. Alright, Toothy, get back to it, and I'll get Hanger back to you. I'll keep you in the loop on Tiny's progress... Oh, Toothy, there's one other thing. I know it's a month away, but could you and Cass get someone to watch the kids and join us for Christmas? We have a house in downtown Philly, and although I don't have room for you to sleep over, I have an annual deal with one of the better hotels right on Broad Street. I'll book you guys in through Christmas. No. Think about it. If you want, I can book you through New Years and you two can have the vacation away. I'll bet you really need. Think about it and let's talk next week after Thanksgiving, or when we conference."

"You're one tough customer, Hannah Todd. I'll think about it."

"You tell Cassie the offer I made. If I heard you didn't, I'll tell the effing Warlocks you said they were a bunch of pussies."

"HA, HA, HA. Hannah, you kill me. I swear I'll tell Cass."

"Kiss her for me, too. Talk to you soon."

"Boy, Miss Todd. I never saw no woman wrap Toothy around her finger before, but I think I just did."

"Shhh, Hanger. I won't tell if you don't."

"Yes, ma'am."

As we walked back to the house, Hanger and I talked about Becky. I told him he can't contact her, but that he could contact me any time and I would try to put them together as often as I can. I let him know it was important to me they find the love they seek, but that it be an enduring love. The big man liked that.

Hanger let me know that he'd be leaving at around two in the morning and apologized for any noise he might make. He went to bed early after saying good night to Bertha and the kids. I had Bertha wrap something up for Hanger to eat on the road or when he gets home. She made him a cold ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes. While they were down in the garden, Georgie picked a sampling of some of our more exotic veggies in the hydro section and bagged them up. They would go into Hanger's saddlebags with the sandwich and an RFS sweat shirt. Double Extra Large.

He said there's an outlaw club just outside of Bedford where he can refill his tank. He filled up before he came into Romansville, so he'd be able to get a good start. Lying in bed with Duane, I heard him kick his bike over, so I went to the window. He was already down the driveway and heading out. He must have pushed his bike down the driveway, away from the house, before he kicked it over. Nice man. I crawled into bed and wrapped my arms around the large black man in my bed. You know, the one I'm crazy about.