PACK YOUR BAGS, BABY.....by Terri

Rosamond woke up at 7:30 and rolled over to ask John a question about Cecily. After all, it WAS the morning. But there was a big vacancy next to her. Oh, yeah. John had to be at the fitness center at 7:30. Which meant he probably left at 7:00. She got out of bed, put her robe on and walked down to Will's room.
"Hey, sleepyhead. Time to get up for school. NOW!"
She went into her bedroom again and opened the adjoining door. Julie was still asleep. Better to let THAT one sleep as long as I can. Unless Belle gets painted pink today. Bess WOULD give her fingerpaints! Jenna was still asleep also.
She went downstairs. John had made a pot of coffee and had enough there for her. God bless that man! She got out her skillet and started to make pancakes. Will trudged downstairs, half asleep.
"If you didn't spend half your time reading comic books in bed, sweetie, you wouldn't be sleepy."
Will said, "But, Mommy, when you are in the middle of a good story, you can't put it down."
Rose put his pancakes in front of him and said, "I know, Will. Here's the syrup."
He looked at his pancakes and said, "You're getting better. These are a lighter shade of burnt." He grinned as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Poppy William is taking you to school today, right? I don't have to drag your sisters out of bed?"
"Yeah. We have another field trip. This time to the Westchester Historical Museum. Poppy William is a chaperone. Even though he said he would never do it again since that dinosaur fell. But my teacher convinced him to do it. Said it was his civic duty. Whatever that was."
William knocked on the door and came into the kitchen. He stomped the snow off his boots. "Hello, Rose! I came to take Will to the field trip."
Will got his coat and struggled into his backpack. "Everyone is jealous of me because he is MY poppy. No one else has a poppy like mine."
Rose smiled as she handed William a refill for his coffee cup. "That is so true, Will! Poppy William makes dreams come true!"
William blushed at the compliments and said brusquely to cover his embarrassment, "Yes. Well, let's go."
"Goodbye, Mommy!"
"Got your permission slip?"
"In my backpack."
William said as he was going out the door, "If there is any justice, the young man who knocked the dinosaur down will NOT be allowed to go.."

Rosamond spent the morning tending to Julie and the baby, and made out her grocery list. She had a nagging thought in the back of her mind the whole morning, but it was something she just couldn't put her finger on. Her mind kept drifting back to Cecily and her diary. How the poor girl thought that her beloved brother John was dead and there was no way out for her. Why oh why didn't she go home to Julia and James? She had to smile to herself when she remembered what Cecily had written about Henry II and Rosamond. Exciting, virile lover? HA! The man made love like he was plundering and looting a town!
Suddenly she got an idea. Is it do-able? Would John go for it?
She dialed up the Big House.
"Hello?"
"Bess, it's Rose. Are you busy this minute?"
"No, just waiting for Prince Charming to call."
"You're seeing someone?"
"No...but you never know!"
Rose inwardly groaned and then realized that Bess was just a young girl. Five years younger than herself but then Rose had a lifetime up on her.
"Bess, can you watch Julie and Jenna for about an hour? I have to go to the fitness center to talk to John and I don't want the kids distracting me."
"Oh no, Rose! You aren't leaving John for Robin, are you? I mean, Robin is hunky and all, but I have to warn you if you dump John, I will be all over him like white on.."
"Yeah, I know. Rice."
Bess said, "I was going to say..heck, I don't KNOW what I was going to say."
"Not important, I am not leaving John. But I have to talk to him. Can you come over now?"
"Sure, I'll be there in fifteen minutes. That OK?"
"That's great. I really appreciate it."
"Bye!"

Bess was a half hour instead of fifteen minutes but since Rosamond figured she would be forty-five minutes late, Bess was technically fifteen minutes early. Does that make sense?
Bess took her coat off and hung it up. "Rose, did you not hear the rumor?"
"What rumor?"
"That Eleanor was dead!"
"GET OUT!" Rose gently pushed Bess. Bess grinned and said, "You didn't hear? It's been all over the news and the TV."
"Oh, well, I had the TV off. I don't want Julie to become dependent on it and use it as a babysitter. And John just listens to CDs in the car. So WHAT HAPPENED?"
"Well, I'm surprised William didn't tell you."
"William doesn't tell me much. He was fretting about the field trip. So are you going to tell me or do I have to beat it out of you?"
"Oh! Well, it turns out it was some laboratory that was making robots to look like famous people. I'm sure it will be in the paper."
"As long as El is alright. You sure? I mean, you are sure it is the real El and not a fake one?"
"Sure as I'm standing here. El is just fine!"
"OK. I'm going to see John about a little project I have. Jenna is sleeping. She should stay asleep until I get back but if not, there is a bottle in the fridge. And the baby monitor is on."
"OK." Bess picked up Julie and said, "Hey, precious! I brought over some Play-do."
Rose groaned and walked out the door. Visions of red Play-do stuck in the couch cushions. And Julie's hair. And on the dog's tails....


THE 'EXTRA' ELEANOR.........by Coralynn.

William has brought in the morning newspapers, but left them bundled, as he went off to take Will to school and on the field trip he agreed to chaperoone. Celeste is the next one to enter the kitchen and, drawing off a cup of coffee, eyes the newspapers with a wary eye.
Taking her cup of coffee to the table, she slips off the plastic wrappers and unfolds them. The first paper has the usual national garbage on the front page, so she goes to the Local section. Sure enough, there it is, in large, bold letters: 'Eleanor, Wonder Woman sports reporter, found dead'...........
She looks at the second paper, which obviously thought her demise more important than the national garbage and in very large letters states 'Eleanor Aquitaine murdered!'
She looks up to see Eleanor enter the room, "Sleep well, dear?"
"Not so's you could tell!" Eleanor sits heavily on a chair and glances over at the headlines, "Ugggg, do those papers say what I think they say?"
"Afraid so. What do you plan to do about it?"
"I have options, I just haven't decided which ones to act on," Eleanor stands, goes over and gets a cup of coffee, then, placing it on the table, says, "I'm getting bored with that sportscaster job, over three years of that and I feel like moving on, but not because I've been reported dead........murdered this one says?......oyyyy! At least William got Ms. robot out of that place, so you know the morning news on television is going to report the disappearance of 'the body.' Quite sensational stuff...."
"You considering 'being' dead for awhile?" Celeste asks.
Eleanor laughs, "I was lying awake last night thinking of scenarios.....what if I let it ride, but zapped myself over to WandaSue's office, scared the bejeebers out of her because she'd think it was my ghost?"
"What if we re-programmed the robot and sent her over?" Celeste suggests.
"Think Jack could re-program that thing?"
"He could, he's that smart. You could send it on missions all over town..."
"I'm going to have to think this through better, I'm not bright eyed and bushtailed this morning."
"You can bet your life we'll be contacted about the missing 'corpse'," Celeste says.
"The Police must be up in arms over there. I should contact Abby Bennett and tell her the real scoop, but swear her to secrecy."
"She'd feel she had to report it, though, even if she didn't want to."
"Hmmm, yeah. I know, how about I have a little fun with that awful twerp, Travis McGee?"
"I'd love to see that!" Celeste drains the rest of her coffee and smiles conspiratorially, "You could do your 'ghost' routine on him."
"I could, and when he told Alan Carson about it, because he's just stupid enough to, Alan would think he'd gone totally round the bend...."
"I've got it!" Celeste claps her hands, "Have the ghost tell Travis where the 'corpse' is buried.........someplace really far-out. Someplace like ohhhh, Times Square, for instance."
"You know he'd go into Manhattan and start digging up the streets. Remember the time he took a jack hammer to our driveway because his theory was that Billy Bob Montgomery was buried under it?"
"Go for it!" Celeste says enthusiastically.


____________......by Terri

Rosamond pulled into the fitness center. Good, both of them are there! She wedged her SUV in between the Corvettes. As she walked in, she saw Daniel. I'm getting better! I can start to tell them apart just by attitude.
"Hey, Rose! You here for the interview?"
"What interview?"
"John is interviewing applicants to teach the cardio strip class."
"WHAT?"
"Sure, it is the hottest thing now, right out of California. He's got the applicants lined up in the office outside of ours..."
Rose turned on her heel and walked into John's office. He was sitting there with an application in his hand and a beautiful brunette there.
"..and you say you worked at Lollipops...Rosamond! What are you doing down here, hon?"
Rose snatched the application out of John's hands. "I'm sorry, Miss...Bianca, is it? The position has been filled."
John said, "It has?"
"Yes. By me. Goodbye, Bianca."
Rose walked into the other room and said to the bevy of beauties in the other office, "I'm sorry, but Mr. Gwinnett has found the perfect woman and said he won't be needing you."
John sat at his desk, his hand over his mouth, trying to hide his grin. Rose came back, her cheeks flaming. She narrowed her eyes.
He looked at her innocently and then said, "I love it when you get jealous! I really do!"
"I can put any of those women to shame and you know it!"
"Good. You opened your mouth. Now you got the class. You teach it Tuesday nights at 7:30."
"WHAT?"
"Yep. You said you were the new instructor. So you just bought yourself a class, hon."
Rose said indignantly, "Piece of cake. And you know I can do it, too! But you have to stay home that night and watch the kids. No men are allowed. And I insist on blinds on the room. I'm not having any of you peeping Toms. Especially Daniel."
To herself, she said, 'what have I gotten myself into?'
John asked, "You hear to take me to lunch?"
"Oh! No! I have to talk to both you and Daniel now. And I mean NOW. Because I only have Bess watching the kids for an hour."
She walked out of the office and grabbed Daniel by the hand. "I'm calling a meeting. Now. And it is imperative that you come in."
She dragged him into the office and shut the door.
"What gives, John? Is she a stockholder now? She can't just call a meeting.."
"Shut up, Daniel! This is not a business meeting, this is personal!"
John and Daniel looked at Rosamond expectantly.
She said in a strong, determined voice, "I'm going to get Cecily. I am taking a time travel coin--any one's that I can lay my hands on--and I am going back to get her and NEITHER OF YOU CAN STOP ME!"

"OH NO, YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" John said determinedly.
"OH YES I AM!" she countered.
"You are staying home, Rosamond Gwinnett! That is an order!"
"Since when do you give me orders?"
"What do you mean, 'since when'? Since the day we said 'I do.' "
Rose gasped. "I can't believe you said that! Just who do you think you are, anyways? Billy Bob Montgomery? I had enough of that crap married to him!"
John calmed down. "OK. I didn't mean it. Really. I know you are your own person and I love you for it."
Daniel inwardly laughed to himself. 'Like hell John didn't mean it!'
John said, "Let's all sit down and talk about it. This has been an idea that has been brewing in my mind. And I think maybe we should do it."
Daniel looked astonished. "Bring Cecily here?"
"Yes. I think we'll time travel back and get her."
Rose stood up. "OK. Let's see, I'll need an overnight bag and I'll get Celeste or Bess to take the children...."
"Whoa, what? You aren't going with me!"
"But you said, 'we'..."
"I meant me and someone else. Possibly Marilyn...."
"Oh, no you don't! I forbid it! I absolutely forbid it!"
"Why? Marilyn helped us break through to Cecily."
"John, she is a WOMAN! She's one of my best friends, but isn't that the way it goes?"
John said sternly, "I'm going to forget you said that, Rosamond. Because it is totally irrational. I'm going to write that off to a hormone surge. Or whatever you women like to call it."
Daniel said, "Personally I call it an excuse to act like a b....."
"Shut up, Daniel!" both Rose and John said at the same time.
John said, "Alright. I need someone else to go with me. Let's see...."
Daniel looked hopeful. He bounced up and down on the balls of his feet, mentally screaming, 'TAKE ME! TAKE ME!' "
John looked at Daniel and said, "You up for a little adventure, Daniel?"
Daniel clenched his hand in a fist and drew his arm back and yelled, "YES! My first time travel!"
Rose looked from John to Daniel, astonished. Then back to John.
"You'll take your brother but you won't take ME? YOUR WIFE?"
"Rose, seems every time you go time traveling, disaster follows. Or you bring home hunky men as a souvenir."
"What do you mean? I DO NOT!"
John counted on his fingers. "First time, we went to Court. You almost got me killed by Henry. Second time, we went to New Orleans. You almost got me killed by Pierre duPre. Third time, we went to Court AGAIN! You got beat up and bounced around by Henry. Fourth time, we went to your gran's house to get that spell book. You almost got BOTH of us killed by Henry. And you brought back Hotspur as a present. Then there was the time you ended up in San Francisco. Almost had me killed by Matt Dillon. And THAT one was close! Then we went to fetch Will after he ran away to Court. Almost got all of us killed and you brought back Robin! A former 'boyfriend, as it were. Then there was the time...."
"Hey, bro! You are running out of fingers there!"
Rose whirled on Daniel. "Stay out of it!" To John she said, hopefully, "I got you out of Pompeii alive, didn't I?"
"Yeah. But you had to go wandering off with Billy Bob instead of staying with the rest of them. I had to search for you."
"It worked out, OK, didn't it? And didn't I find your father Rhys in Tortuga and bring him back for you?"
John sighed and said, "You are too much a liability, Rose. No. A mother---a nursing mother at that---is to stay home with her children."
Daniel said, "Yeah. We don't want you leaking all over our parade!"
"It's RAIN on your parade! NOT LEAK!" Then she said, "OH. Oh, allright! Go have your litte guys-night-out-in-another-time-frame. See if I care!"
She turned to John and said, "But you know what that means, don't you!"
And she flounced out of the office.
John reached over to the phone and dialed a number.
Daniel said, "What are you doing?"
"Putting a temporary stop to my credit cards. Her way of getting even is shopping. And she's in a mood alright!"


THE GHOST AND Mr. MCGEE........by Coralynn

Travis pulls on the pants of his police uniform quickly, trying to leave the house before his Mom gets up and starts nagging him again. ("Travis, why don't you have a girlfriend?" "Travis, why don't you have your own place?" "Travis, you need a better car!" on and on and on.)
"I'll get my own place, but only when I can afford a ritzy place like those Camelot Condos," he mutters softly, "and I'll have a girlfriend when someone really hot comes along! Not going to throw myself away on some dog!"
He reaches for his jacket, and has one arm in the armhole, unfortunately the wrong armhole, when he sees a vision. He startles, stepping backward to put distance between himself and the.......ghost?
"But you're dead!" his eyes are round with terror, "I saw it on the news last night! It said you were dead!"
"I am, oh I am, but my corpse is missing," the ghost tells him mournfully, "and I need you to bring it back."
"ME?"
"Yes, you. You're the only cop who has the imagination to help me. My corpse must be buried in the hallowed ground of the old burying place."
"I don't know where your body is!" he objects.
"I do. The criminals took it out of the morgue and buried it under a sidewalk in Times Square!"
"Times Square. Why there?"
"They didn't think anyone would dream of looking for it there. You must help me, be my champion, my hero! You can get a medal for this, maybe a promotion. And my eternal gratitude."
"Uhhhh, I'm supposed to report for duty in less than a half hour," Travis tells the ghost, "But...."
"But you have more important things to do than patrol the streets of town, much more important!" the ghost's voice is becoming louder and more insistent.
"I'll do it!" he says with determination.
The ghost disappears.
He sits on the bed and marvels. Eleanor Aquitaine, the Wonder Woman sportscaster, one of the most famous people in the county wants ME, Travis McGee, to rescue her body from...........from......Times Square? This is a hard assignment, but my God I'll do it! Yes, I will, I'll do it!"


PREPARATIONS......by Terri

Rosamond pulled into the driveway and pounded up the stairs. She walked into the living room. Bess was on the floor with Julia making Play-do dogs and using Silly Putty. Jenna was in her baby swing.
"OOOH! MEN!"
Bess looked up. "Uh, oh! What now!"
Rose hung her coat up and said, "John refuses to take me on a time travel! He's planning on picking up Cecily--which was MY idea, I might add!--and he's taking DANIEL with him!"
Bess said, "Wow! Cecily! Here! I'd better clear my stuff off the spare bed in my room! Does William know?"
Rose flopped down on the couch and said, "She will no doubt be staying with us, Bess. We have the spare room and bathroom down the hall."
Bess said, "When will they leave?"
Rose punched the pillows and said, "I don't know. They had their heads together when I left. It's like some sort of boys night out! Oooh, they make me so sick!"
She punched the pillow again and she and Bess both said, "MEN!"

John called Slim and Rafe into the office. "Daniel and I have a big favor to ask of you. Would the two of you mind being in charge for this afternoon? Daniel and I have to take care of a family problem and we might be out the rest of the afternoon."
Slim said, "Sure, no problem. No trouble with Rhys or Megaera, is there?"
John said, "No, we decided to time-travel back and pick up our sister Cecily. She ended up with a rotten life. She planned on emigrating to the Colonies to live with us in the 1640's but then she heard I had died. It's a bit complicated. I'm going to meet Daniel at my house in an hour and we will be back as soon as we can."
"Sure, no problem," Rafe said.
John shut his computer off and said, "Oh, by the way. Rose is teaching an aerobics class at 7:30 on Tuesdays. She said no guys in the aerobics room. I've got to leave now so I'll see you guys when we get back. Thanks a lot!"
As John walked out the door, Slim said to Rafe, "You know what that means, don't you?"
"What?"
"New girl on the block. And she's a Gwinnett. Bet she is a looker, too!"
Rafe yelled out, "FRESH MEAT!"


John took a deep breath as he opened the door. He knew it may not be the send-off a soldier leaving for war would get. Rose was no sobbing teenager at a railway station, that's for sure.
She sat in the living room watching As The Planet Turns.
"Keeping up with the plot, dear?"
She stared at the television as if hypnotized. "Just seeing how Marty is going to bring our characters back. Our six month hiatus is almost up. He called earlier and wants both of us back."
"That's nice."
She whirled around. "John, WHY can't I go with you?"
"Because I said so."
"NOT GOOD ENOUGH!"
"It's good enough for me. No, Rose. I'm putting my foot down."
He turned to go upstairs. Rose muttered, "I've got a place I'd like to put MY foot!"
"I HEARD THAT!"

UP UP & AWAY!......by Terri

Daniel knocked on the back door. Rosamond opened the door and said dejectedly, "Come on in."
"Oh, Rosamond, don't be such a spoil sport!"
"John never takes me ANYWHERE!"
John came into the kitchen with his backpack and said, "Oh, I do too! Didn't I take you out to dinner last night?"
She said nothing but watched as John got a few things out of the medicine cabinet from the bathroom that was off the kitchen.
"First aid stuff. You never know. Daniel? You got everything I told you to?"
"Yep. Right here. Even the extra clothes."
John took out Cecily' diary put it on the table. Daniel looked over his shoulder.
John said, "I think we should pick her up before she marries that creep Morley. We should get her after she finds out that Byron gambled away the lands. That way she will have no desire to stay."
Daniel pointed to a date. "How about this date? June 23, 1641. She posted a letter to us in the Colonies. She's telling us she is going to come to us. She's upbeat. And anxious to start over."
"Perfect! OK..June 23, 1641 it is."
Rosamond left the room to pick up the baby who was crying. John whispered to Daniel, "I have to go upstairs in the safe and get my Magnum. I never time-travel without it. And I've had to use it. You just never know."
He went upstairs and opened the safe. He tucked the gun and extra bullets in his jeans waistband. Rose stood there holding Jenna and talking in a low voice to Daniel.
"..and I swear if you do anything to get the two of you killed, Daniel, I will steal a time-travel coin and go back in time fifteen minutes before you get killed and kill you myself! You'd better behave!"
Daniel tried not to laugh as he said seriously, "Yes, Mommy!"
John quietly slipped his gun into the backpack and both the men put them on their backs. Rose stood there, biting her lower lip to keep it from trembling.
"John?" she whispered. "You WILL be careful?"
He smiled and kissed her."Of course I will. You know the rules. If something happens and we aren't back soon, have Celeste monitor us in the crystal ball and then one of the guys--the GUYS, not you, Rose---come and help us."
She nodded.
"Aw, don't cry, honey. I'll be back in a flash with a new little sister for you. Ready, Daniel?"
Daniel said, "Ready, John!"
John and Daniel put one hand on each other's shoulder and John held his time travel coin in one hand and said, "Northumberland, England. Morley Hall. June 23, 1641."
The air glowed and swirled. And in a mist, they were gone.


TRAVIS ON A MISSION.......by Coralynn

Eleanor is still reveling in how easy it was to fool Travis McGee and has been on the phone with Bethia, Marthy, and tried to get Rose on the phone, but no one answered. Each time she recounted the story she laughed again when she could hear the other person going into hysterics.
"Having fun?" Celeste has been listening in, enjoying El's recounting of her success in sending McGee into Manhattan to jackhammer Times Square.
Eleanor wipes the laughter tears from her eyes and asks, "Is your crystal ball still on the fritz, Celeste? I'd love to actually see how long McGee jackhammers the sidewalks before he's apprehended by the NYPD."
"It's better than it was, dear, but still not clear enough to see just who is in it, but I found something the other day when I was passing time on the internet.....come, I'll show you."
They walk back to Celeste's rooms and after she turns on her computer, and clicks on a certain link, up comes a very clear picture in real time of Times Square.

"WOW! Look at that! and you can even hear the car horns honking!" Eleanor is fascinated, "I don't see Travis yet............oh, the camera just went to another scene.......oh my God! There he is!"
Travis McGee may be in a construction worker's clothes, but there is no mistaking him...he's the idiot jackhammering the sidewalk! Passesby stop and glare momentarily before they scurry off to their destinations.
"I can hear that jackhammer from here!" Celeste laughs, "he's right in front of the Howard Johnsons...."
"And he doesn't see the Cop walking up behind him," Eleanor completes the sentence.
The sound of the jackhammering ceases. Celeste and El can see that the cop is asking Travis McGee questions, with Travis gesticulating wildly. They see the cop put handcuffs on McGee's wrists and, leading him to a patrol car, while another of New York's finest follows up by removing the jackhammer, tossing it into the back of the car and hopping in himself. The sound of the siren is audible to the two women watching, as it speeds away.
"How long before Alan Carson gets a phone call?" Eleanor raises an eyebrow.
"I'd give it ten minues tops! Good job, Eleanor!" Celeste turns off the computer and follows the other woman out to the living room, where the television has been left on.
They pause when they hear the news anchor say, "The corpse of Eleanor the Wonder Woman sportscaster was stolen from the Chappaqua morgue sometime during the night. An autopsy to determine the cause of death was scheduled for this morning. The State Examiner reports no signs of a break-in but is working on some other leads. More as it becomes available...."
"Other leads? Oh contrare!" Eleanor laughs.
"You'd best lay low, girl!" Celeste advises, "You won't be able to go out in public, that is not until you decide to declare yourself alive..."
"No problem! My next caper, with my pal the robot, involves someone long ago, in a land far away...."
"HENRY!" Celeste shouts enthusiastically.
"Bingo!" Eleanor flips off the TV, slapping a high-five with her friend.

SOME KIND OF 'MOURNING'......by Coralynn

Jack has come over to help Eleanor re-program the robot for her time-travel trip back to Court and when the doorbell rings, they pull shut the sliding doors of the living room in case it's someone they don't want to let in on the project.
Celeste goes to the front door and sees Abby Bennett standing there, looking properly serious under what the young woman feels is a house in mourning. "May I come in?" she asks.
"Oh yes, certainly!" Celeste replies as Abby steps into the living room and says, "I want you to know that all of us at the police station are saddened by the news of Eleanor's passing, and doing everything we can to solve how it happened, and what has become of her body."
"Come into the kitchen, dear, you look cold and a good cup of coffee or hot chocolate might warm you up."
"You're very considerate," Abby remarks as she follows Celeste into the kitchen, "Are you planning a memorial service for Eleanor? If you need any assistance, let me know. Eleanor was an outstanding person, and will be sorely missed."
"Coffee or hot chocolate?" she asks.
"Coffee would be fine, thank you."
Celeste is in a conundrum; what to say to this nice young police officer? Keep up the charade or tell her the truth, and if the latter, what would be the fallout from doing so?
They sit on chairs at the table, and Celeste can't stand the deception any longer, "Abby, I must tell you something, but........you may have to keep it between us."
"You have information?" Abby perks up.
"Yes, but not the kind you're thinking." Celeste is nervous but plunges on, "Uhhhh, how can I say this? OK, here it is: Eleanor is not dead. The corpse at the morgue was a robot."
Abby puts her cup down so fast the liquid sloshes all over the table, "A robot?!"
"This is such a long story...." Celeste hardly knows where to start, but gives it her best shot, "You see, there was this place, the Universal Electronics Corporation, the place they found what they thought was Eleanor's dead body, anyway, this place was producing robots of famous people in politics, entertainment, and who knows what else. When El went on a two week vacation from her television job, someone who looked and sounded just like her showed up and actually fooled everyone at the tv station and read the sportscast. Since it wasn't Eleanor, we knew something was fishy, very fishy."
"And it was a....robot?"
"Yes."
"How did you find out it was a robot?" Abby reaches for the pad she carries with her at all times, to write this down. Celeste reaches over and grasps her arm, "Please don't write any of this down, because we aren't quite ready to tell anyone. I may regret telling you..."
Abby puts the pad away and concentrates of Celeste, smiling, "OK, then I'll consider myself off duty."
"I appreciate it. How we found out was by.........uhhhh.......we sent Robin to investigate and he found out."
"How did he know where to go?"
"Well............" Celeste realizes she's going to have to let Abby in on the magic coins and isn't relishing the idea, "We have a way of going, errr, finding.....here, see this coin?" she brings out the coin she carries with her at all times, "this takes you anywhere you want to go."
"Like a subway token?" Abby is totally confused.
"Not exactly. This takes you *snap* just like that. I think the best way to prove it to you is a small demonstration. Is there any period of history that you've always wanted to visit?"
Abby wrinkles her forehead, "I've always been fascinated by ancient Greece."
"Take my hand."
Abby extends her hand toward Celeste cautiously. When their fingers meet, she finds herself in what she thinks is perhaps a play about Greece, "This looks quite authentic, how'd they do this?"
"It looks authentic because it is! Want to wander around and see the Acropolis? See over there? It isn't in shambles the way it looks in the 21st century. It's totally...."
"Restored?"
"No, this is shortly after it was built.....we've gone back several thousand years."
Abby tries to shake the cobwebs out of her brain, "I don't....know...."
"Take my hand again," this time Celeste reaches over and grabs Abby's hand and tells the coin to take them to......
"Holy mother of God!" Abby shrieks as she sees dinosaurs bearing down on them, "Get us out of here!"
They land back in the chairs in which they were sitting originally. Abby is shaking from fright.
"How'd you do that?!"
"It's magic, pure and simple. But.......you not only use the coin to take you back in time, but you can ask it to take you in this timeframe to wherever someone else is. Robin asked to be taken to where they were making the robot of Eleanor, so he found out. Then, when the police found the robot deactivated, they thought Eleanor had died. William had to use his coin to get the robot out of the morgue, hence it came up missing."
"He has a coin as well?"
"Many of us do."
"Alan Carson will never believe this!" Abby declares.
"He already knows."
"He never alluded to that around me!"
"He's been sworn to secrecy."
"Under the circumstances, I could tip him off that Eleanor isn't dead, couldn't I?"
"Actually, it might be a good idea so that he doesn't spend a lot of time and effort trying to solve the mystery."
At that moment Marilyn breezes into the house, calling, "El! Look what I just bought us!"
Abby then hears Eleanor's voice in the living room exclaiming over the 'screamin' deal' Marilyn found on ponchos. Eleanor enters the kitchen wearing a red one, saying, "Celeste! Marilyn got one for you...too..." then stopping cold at the sight of Abby sitting there.
The two women stare at each other, one in shock, the other in fear.
"You didn't tell me we had company," El remarks.
"I thought you heard the doorbell."
"I forgot. Now what do we do?"
"I had to tell her the situation, El, because she was going to put a lot of effort into solving your murder or whatever they thought it was down at the police station."
"I'll have to tell Alan Carson, so that he doesn't launch a major investigation, but that's all," Abby reassures her.
Eleanor smiles and asks Celeste, "So where'd you take her?"
Abby answers with awe, "First she took me to ancient Greece, then to back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. That last one proved it!"
"Not the French revolution?" Eleanor jokes, "Oh yes, that's right, we only take the 'bad boys' there. Something about bullets whizzing over their heads that gets the idea across."
Abby has a million questions, but considers this the time to withdraw and resume her duties as a police officer. Celeste walks her to the door, then asks, "By the way, are you still dating Jeremy Pennypacker?"
"You noticed, did you? Yep, still dating."
"Any chance you may...."
Eleanor interrupts, "Forget that question, Abby. Celeste is always trying to get people married off."
"If we ever decide to tie the knot, I want you all in my wedding!" Abby says just before she walks down the porch steps and heads for her patrol car.


GWINETT TWINS TO THE RESCUE.....by Terri

John and Daniel opened their eyes. Daniel breathed, "OH....WOW!"
John grinned. "Pretty smooth landing, isn't it!"
They were standing in a garden. The flowers were in bloom. Out back was a small cemetery with a wrought iron fence. Daniel headed that way. John reached his hand out and said, "No, Daniel. Someone might see us and it would be considered trespassing."
"You're right. Look at that house!"
They looked at an immense old brick house. Ivy crawled up the front and sides. The casement window swung out. They were open.
"How do you want to do this, John? Cecily hasn't seen us in thirteen years. We were mere lads of seventeen, she was seven. Do you think she will recognize us?"
"Daniel, we haven't changed THAT much, have we?"
Daniel roared with laughter. "Oh, come ON! Look at us! We're buff! We're built! You think any of the seventeenth century dudes are this muscular?"
"Our faces look the same."
"More rugged. Mature."
"I think we should just go up to the door and tell her we are visiting from the Colonies."
"And see how she reacts?"
"Yes. I'll knock."
They walked up to the massive English oak door and used the lion knocker. A servant answered the door.
"Aye, beggars t' the back door."
She started to close the door but Daniel wedged his foot into it. "If you please, tell Mistress Cecily Fitzhugh that there are two travelers here she would like to see."
The servant frowned and reluctantly stepped back. "Aye. Come in."
They stepped forward. "Go ye no further! I dinna know ye."
The servant, a woman in her sixties, with a sharp face said, ""I shall announce ye. After I give the cook a dressing-down for too much butter she be using."
She disappeared into the kitchen. Daniel and John looked at each other and John gave a big sigh. "I guess we stay here and wait."
Voices carried from the upstairs. A woman's and a man's.
Daniel and John crept closer to the stairs....

"I shall be out of here in a month, Sir Morley. You may take possession of it then."
"There really is no need to hurry out, Mistress Fitzhugh."
"I have no desire to remain in Northumberland. I intend to sail in a month's time to the Colonies. I have my brothers there and I intend to start afresh."
"It will indeed be Northumberland's loss if you go. May I call you Cecily?"
"I don't see why. Mistress Fitzhugh is proper. After all, with a turn of the cards, I am now homeless."
"Mistress Fitzhugh, I was not the one who laid the title on the table. Your husband was. It is regrettable he lost and even more regrettable he passed away. You must be beside yourself with grief."
Cecily's voice hesitated and then she said in a clear strong voice, "Please don't concern yourself with my grief, Sir Morley."
Daniel turned to John and whispered, "Smooth operator, isn't he? He's buttering Cecily up."
John said sarcastically, "Yeah. He's SO concerned!"
The voices upstairs continued...

"I shall leave the furniture here. Obviously they go with the estate, and the bed linens. Sir Morley, what is in the armoire is my personal clothing. You have no right or reason to be in there."
Daniel started up the stairs. John grabbed his arm. He whispered, "Cecily can handle it. Don't be rash."
Sir Jacob's voice carried downstairs. "I certainly have no intention of depriving you of your garments, Mistress Fitzhugh."
"Then you have no reason to be touching them. And that is MY jewelry box. Byron gave those to me and they belong to me. I did not put them on the gambling table. They are personal property."
Stiffly, Sir Morley said, "As it should be. I shall return within a fortnight and begin to move some of my things in here. I intend to change the name of Bonniebrae to Morley Hall."
"YOU CAN'T!"
"I can and I intend to. It is my fond wish that you would remain in England, Mistress Fitzhugh. The colonies are no place for a lovely woman such as yourself. Barbaric and uncivilized they are!"
Cecily's voice was resolute. "No doubt people said that about England long ago. My brother John is married and has a nice estate. And my brother Daniel is there. They no doubt will see me settled in."
Footsteps came down the stairs. John and Daniel bumped into each other trying to scurry where they wouldn't be seen. Finally they plastered themselves under the stairs against the wall.
Sir Morley was tall and lean, from the back. They couldn't see Cecily. "I shall bid you good-day, Mistress Fitzhugh."
She closed the door and said, "What a Vinegar Veins!"
Daniel and John slowly came out of the cubby-space under the stairs. Cecily started to scream and stifled it with her hand.
"Wh-what are you gentlemen doing here? Please---you can have what you want, just don't hurt me! PLEASE!"
Daniel moved slowly towards her and held his hand out. She moved back and bumped into the wall.
"Cecily? It's John and me. From the Colonies."
She looked wordlessly from one to the other. John nodded and gave her a little wave. She cried out and rushed towards them, hugging them both. Tears coursed down her cheeks as she tightened her grip on them, afraid they would disappear before her eyes.
"Are my eyes deceiving me? Is it really the two of you? You've come back to ENGLAND?"
John and Daniel looked from one to the other. John said, "In a matter of speaking."
Daniel laughed and said, "Loosen your grip, Cecily. And we will tell you what brings us here!"

Cecily's housekeeper heard the noise and came in. She saw Cecily embracing and crying with the two travelers. She turned to her and said, "Oh, Mrs. Stanley! My two brothers--they're twins, if you haven't noticed!--have arrived from the Colonies! Please! Tea and cakes!"
She turned to John and Daniel and said, "Unless you want more food! Do you?" John and Daniel shook their heads. She clapped her hands and jumped up and down like a kid.
Mrs. Stanley said, "Beggin' yer pardon, gentlemen. But with the changes going on here, I weren't sure and I err on the side of caution. Young Mistress Fitzhugh be very dear to me. It be a shame what with Bonniebrae passing on to that..that.."
Cecily said, "That will be enough, Mrs. Stanley! You're going to work over at Lord Hamilton's. So you won't be burdened with him."
Mrs. Stanley sniffed and said, "I'll be glad Miss Cecily will be going to the Colonies. With young strapping lads like ye to protect her. Though I shall miss her dearly!" Mrs. Stanley left to tend to the tea and cakes.
Cecily took both their hands and stood back. "Let me look at you! My, my, my! Last time I laid eyes on the two of you, you were thin and excited and..and just boys! Look at you! You're MEN! And quite handsome, both of you!" She laughed. "Of course you would be! You're Gwinnetts!"
Daniel grinned and said, "You aren't too shabby yourself, little sister! Last time we saw you, you were a mere tot of seven. Jumping around the docks and chasing the ducks! What a sight! Everyone crying except you!"
She motioned to them to sit down. "I know you must be exhausted from your trip! But I just want to hug you both and never let you go! The colonies didn't work out for you then. OH, I am so glad! You both are back! But things are not so good. The King is headed for disaster."
John cleared his throat and said, "Cecily, we are just here for a very short time. We are going back."
"How long will you be here then? Does Mother and Father know you are in England? We shall have to see her together--unless you have already been there!"
Daniel looked at John and said, "You want to handle this, bro? You are a little more diplomatic than I am."
John took a deep breath and said, "Cecily, we are in the Colonies and intend to return. Very shortly. And we want to take you with us."
Cecily jumped up and said, "This is SO wonderful! I posted a letter yesterday telling you I was going to emigrate to the Colonies. Now we can all go together!"
Daniel looked expectantly at John. John sat next to Cecily and said, "There is so much you do not know. We have to explain it to you."
She looked from John to Daniel and then back. "Alright. There is a problem with me going back with you?"
Daniel said, "No, not at all, love. Please listen to John. I know what he is about to say is preposterous but it is the truth. Because I have seen it!"
Cecily looked at John as she poured the tea and handed him a cup. "Alright. Go ahead, John! Tell me what I should know. OH! You want to tell me what clothes to take and that I am really limited on what I can take. On account of the ship not having much room. Well, I can leave some of my clothes but the jewelry goes with me that Byron gave me. And a few books.."
John said, "Cecily. Please listen! First, we are sorry about Byron. We read of his death..."
"Read? How could you 'read' of his death?"
John said, "Cecily, if you don't be quiet, we aren't going to take you anywhere!"
"Alright. Go ahead. I'll be quiet."
John drew a sharp breath and plunged in. "We live in the future. Daniel and I. We live in the Colonies and we live over 450 years into the future. The year 2005 to be exact."
Cecily sloshed her tea. "Future? What kind of joke is that, John? I expect a tall tale out of Daniel but not you."
Daniel nodded. "It is true, Cecily. Let John explain."
John continued. "Daniel and I were living in the 1640's in Southold, Long Island. That is in the Colonies. Or was. I was hunting and it is quite a long story. But I'll shorten it for now. I came across three travelers. They were time travelers. From centuries all over. I went with them. Into the future. OH, Cecily! It is a wonderful time-frame!"
She looked bewildered. "But--Daniel went with you, too?"
John said, "I found some things out and had to go back in time and get Daniel. By means of this."
He took the coin out. "This coin has the ability to take us to places we only dreamed about. And at different periods of history." He put the coin back in his pocket.
Daniel said, "Honey, we found out some things that happen to you in the future." Cecily laughed, "Oh, Daniel! Now I know you are teasing me! How could you possibly find out anything? My future is unwritten!"
John said soberly, "No, Cecily. We found out from your very own words."
He reached into his backpack and took out a copy of her diary. Daniel said, "Wow! Good thinking, John!"
John said, "We have some dear friends that traveled to Morley Hall. Only the Morley Hall it is now in 2005. She went into the room you occupy. And found this."
Cecily took it carefully and read the first six entries. "H-how did you find this? I keep my diary hidden and under lock and key?"
John and Daniel exchanged looks. Daniel said softly, "Cecily, love, Marilyn found the diary that you kept until you..you.."
"I...what, Daniel?"
"Died."
The silence was deafening. Cecily said, "I died? When? I mean, dying as an old lady, well, this diary isn't very thick."
Daniel gently said, "Cecily, it's all in the diary. Would you like to take a bit of time and read it for yourself?"
Cecily nodded silently. He nodded to John. They stood up. "We'll go check out the rest of the grounds. We want to see the gardens. We'll be back in a few minutes. Cecily? Before you read that--it doesn't have to end like that. This is why we are here. To fix the ending."
They left to check out the gardens. Daniel turned to John and said, "You think she will be OK?"
John glanced back to the house. "Yeah. I think so. This is harder than I thought. Let's not wander off too far. She may need us."

They walked out to the cemetery. A new headstone was there. It read 'Byron Fitzhugh----loving husband of Cecily--1607-1641'
John said, "So this was our brother in law." Daniel said, "What a schmuck."
John chided. "Now, we don't know really what happened. Could be the deck was marked. But he was careless enough to bet the very home he shared with Cecily."
Daniel nodded. "Shall we go back in? Cecily will need us. If I know her, she will be devastated. By everything that is in that diary."
They let themselves into the house and into the parlor. Cecily sat there, the diary pages scattered at her feet. She was staring at the floor. Tears were streaming down her face.
She whispered to them, "I can't take all this in..John. Your death? I married Vinegar Veins? Had an affair with a Cavalier and then I die in childbirth? But..that is so unlike me. All of it!"
Daniel said, "Cecily, don't you see why it is imperative we take you out of here? Back with us?"
John held his hand out. "Daniel, it is alot for Cecily to take in, like she said. This is a very weighty decision. Cecily, why don't we do this--you come back to this new land and time with Daniel and me. Give it a month. If you find you cannot cope with it or do not want to, I will take the time travel coin and take you to Mother and Father in Somersetshire. But you cannot stay here and marry Jacob Morley. That's a given."
John took Cecily's hand. "You can stay with Rosamond and me. We have plenty of room."
Cecily sniffled. "Rosamond? But--you said your wife was Elizabeth!"
John said, "Well, Elizabeth..."
"Died? OH, John, I am so sorry. I know how that is."
John said, "Elizabeth sort of..left me. For a reverend."
"JOHN! NO!"
John said hastily, "Oh, believe me, Cecily! It is for the better! The children..."
"You have children? I'm an aunt?"
John grinned. "A boy and two little girls. Will and the girls are Julie Beth after Mother and the baby is Jenna Rose."
Daniel said, "Yeah, Cecily. You gotta see who the baby looks like!"
"A real Gwinnett, huh?"
Daniel laughed. "Let's surprise her, John! That way she will have no doubt about returning with us!"
She turned to Daniel and said, "What about you, Daniel? A wife? Children?"
Before Daniel could answer, John said, "How about it, Cecily? Are you up for an adventure? I mean, you'll have 'emigrated' as it were. Just in a different time. A better one, believe me!"
Cecily said slowly, "I think I have nothing to lose here. Yes, I will go with you. As long as I have the option to return if it doesn't work out. Shall I pack?"
John said, "You don't need to take any of the dresses, Cecily. They don't dress like that where we are going."
She said, "I have to take my jewelry. It is all I have of Byron. And my books."
Daniel groaned. "She's going to pack now! Cecily, let's go upstairs and you can shove what you want into these backpacks. But let's make it snappy."
John said, "Rosamond is really looking forward to meeting you, Cecily. If I know her, she's redone the room. She read the diary one evening and the next day she insisted that we come fetch you."
"Strangers read my diary?"
John said hastily, "Honey, it was 450 years past. Not to worry. Rosamond and Marilyn--a friend who found your diary and your portrait--are especially anxious that you come and fit in."
Daniel said, "I'll go upstairs with Cecily and help her get some things."
John whispered, "Light a fire under her. I want to be out of here as soon as possible. But I tell you one thing--I'm going to scout around here and take some things of value for Cecily. She's so overwhelmed she won't think of it. And who cares if Morley misses them. If he wants them, let him find a way to come into the future and get them, the cheating bastard!"
Cecily and Daniel went upstairs. On the way up, Cecily said, "So--do YOU like this Rosamond...?"


O HENRY.........by Coralynn

"You're sure the robot can do this?" Eleanor is laughing so hard she can hardly speak as Jack programs the robot.
"Absolutely! All you have to do is push this button here...." he points to a button on the remote control.
"Anything we've forgotten to program this foolish robot for?"
"I doubt it."
"Well, I'd better be off then before I forget which button makes her do what....wish me luck!"
Eleanor drinks her disappearing tea, tucks an extra vial of it in her pocket, clutches the Eleanor robot and is whisked from view.

It's a dull, cloudy day back at Court. The rain that has fallen during the night has deposited a puddle just outside the main entrance. Eleanor and her robot leap across it and enter the castle to find almost everyone lolly-gaging around in the main room, looking disspirited and morose.
When they see the Eleanor robot (hereafter referred to as ER), they show more signs of life. "Mother!" Richard exclaims upon seeing ER, rushing over to give her a hug. ER hugs back, then pushes him away, "Where's that no good s-o-b, Henry?" it asks.
Henry is entering the room, sees ER and hears his name. "Well, well, Eleanor, couldn't stay away, could you? You here to torture us more? Mayhap to remind us that William has locked us into a timewarp from which we have no way to escape?"
"No, my dear. I am here to stay," ER tells him, smiling.
"Why would you do that when you have all the luxuries of the 21st Century?" Henry looks surprised.
"The luxuries are highly over-rated!" John insists, "Living in a homeless shelter! Wearing ratty clothing. Being social outcasts! Not my idea of luxury."
"But you found a toy!" ER says sweetly, then retrieving the AA batteries from her deep pocket, "See? I brought you some more batteries for your toy!"
"It's a train Mother, not a toy!" John says angrily, but reaches out for the batteries nonetheless.
"Now that we have that out of the way, I need to see you in our chambers, Henry," ER addresses her hapless husband, or Eleanor's, you know what I mean.
He gets up from the chair he had just deposited himself upon, shrugs to the others, and follows her.
After the door closes and they're alone, ER pulls out a sheaf of papers, hands them to Henry, and says in a steely voice, "Sign those!"
"What are they?"
"Divorce papers! Then I am banishing you to the same castle prison in which you had me locked up for years. I'm taking over the kingdom."
"The hell you are!" he throws the papers down.
"Would you like a little convincing?" she grabs his right arm and forces it behind his back, twisting it painfully as she does so.
"OWW!"
"Your days as monarch of the realm are over, Henry! I am the Queen here, and you are my cast-off no-good, cheating, lying bastard of an EX-husband."
"I won't sign!"
He is shocked when she wrestles him to the ground without breaking a sweat. Sitting on his chest, she glowers down into his face, "I can hurt you, Henry. I can hurt you bad!"
"I won't sign!"
"Methinks you will! I have hardly begun showing you how superior I am..." and with that she leaps straight up and lands in a rafter near the ceiling.
"How'd you do that?!" Henry, getting up to a standing position again, can hardly believe his eyes. Eleanor was never a wimp, but this is going to extremes even for her.
She leaps down suddenly, landing upon his back, knocking him to the floor once more.
"I'll have the Guards arrest you!" he tries to sound convincing.
"Who do you think the guards are most loyal to, Henry? You?" her laugh rings out and bounces against the walls of the chamber, sending a chill down his back.
"But........"
"Sign the papers!" she demands once again.
"No!" he tries to sound authoritative, which is getting harder and harder to pull off.
The real Eleanor then pushes the piece-de-resistance button and ER bites Henry's arm, drawing blood.
He clutches his arm as he stands up, a look of sheer terror on his face.
"Are you going to sign or do I have to finish you off once and for all?" ER makes it sound like a statement, not a question.
He examines the teeth marks on his arm, awash in blood. ER is slowly making her way to the far end of the room with a look of determination on her face. Henry wonders what she'll do next, but before he gets a chance to wonder long, she runs at him and places a karate chop to his head.
"OWW!"
"Sign, Henry, sign now!"
"Alright, alright!" he takes a quill pen and places his name on the top sheet.
"Sign every stinkin' one of them, buster!" the real Eleanor yells out.
He hears her voice coming from another part of the room, which unnerves him further. Now Eleanor is a ventiloquist?
He signs every sheet as fast as he can, hoping this nightmare will end.
"That's more like it!" ER still sounds angry.
"So now you're Queen, you witch!" he mutters.
"I am the sole monarch of the realm, and our marriage is officially over!" ER says in triumph.
ER gathers up the papers and disappears before his eyes.
Henry stumbles out of the chamber, down the hallway into the main room, yelling, "Get me a physician!"
They all look up in surprise when they see blood dripping from King Henry2's arm. "The witch bit me! Get me a physician, you dolts!"
"But, sire, we have no physicians in attendance," one of the serving wenches tells him nervously.
John smirks, "Well, father, it appears you did considerably worse than I did dealing with Mother. Is she indeed back to stay? If so, methinks I shall dump my allegiance to you, and switch to good olde Mummy. I rather fancy being part of a winning team."
"No you don't," Richard yells, "Mummy loves me best!"
"No, she doesn't."
"Yes, she does!"
This exchange goes on for several more rounds till the two sons end up in a fist fight, rolling around on the floor. Henry rips off a piece of his shirt, makes it into a tournaquet, ties it around his arm and exclaims to the ethers, "Damn you Eleanor!"


VENGEANCE WITH A VENGEANCE.....by Terri

Rosamond opened the door to the kitchen of the Big House. Marilyn was sitting there with a cup of coffee and donut.
"Hi! I can use the break! I'm going to help Moose plan an outline for his new book. The one about Cecily."
Rose had Julie by the hand and the baby in the carrier. "Next time I drive! I don't care if it is only four houses!"
Marilyn reached over and took Julie's mittens off her. Julie smiled and held her arms out to Marilyn.
"Mo-mo." Rose groaned. "Oh, great! She's calling you by the name of Billy Bob's mother!"
Marilyn grinned. "I guess 'Marilyn' isn't too far off from 'Mary Ellen'. No problem. Hello, Julie. Yes, Aunt Mo-mo is here!"
As Marilyn slipped Julie's coat off, Rosamond unwrapped the baby from her many blankets and bunting.
"Are you busy, 'Aunt Mo-mo'?"
"No, I'm meeting Moose in an hour. I need to make some stuff up to fill in between the details between her diary entries."
Rose smiled. "I guess maybe you can ask her yourself."
Marilyn got a quizzical look on her face. "What do you mean? You mean..?"
Rose said, "Yes. John and Daniel went back in time to pick up the real thing! And I expect they should be back very soon!"

John looked around and saw a variety of objects that may be of value. A couple of silver candlesticks. A French clock. A few miniatures. John picked up one. It showed a man with dark hair and a steady gaze. Wonder if this is Byron Fitzhugh. He saw a few other things of value and stuffed them all in his backpack.
Cecily's voice drifted downstairs. "I really need the jewelry box. I'll take this rope and tie it shut. Daniel? See that looking glass and ivory brush over on the bureau? Yes, that one....I need this gown..why? Because it is the last gown that Byron bought me..."
Daniel's responses were inaudible. He must have his head stuck in her armoire. He heard the conversation continue.
"...well, I am sure there is a reasonable explanation...but John is so level-headed. Maybe that is what she needed....REALLY, Daniel? The soup tureen? But how could you...?"
Laughter from upstairs. John did a slow burn. I'll tend to Daniel later. The big-mouth! He stuffed the last of anything valuable in the backpack as Cecily and Daniel came downstairs.
Cecily said, "Well, it certainly sounds like you and Daniel have had quite a time of it in...what did you call it? Chappaqua? Sounds like an intriguing place with a variety of characters. John, I must say...I am curious about Rosamond."
John said, "Yes. Well, you will meet her soon enough. If I know Rosamond, she'll be planning a dinner party."
Cecily stuffed the last of the books she had in her arms into Daniel's backpack. "I think that is about it."
The front door opened just then and Sir Jacob Morley came in. "Cecily--excuse me, Mistress Fitzhugh--I forgot..OH! I did not know you had visitors."
Cecily visibly stiffened. She said with controlled temper, "Sir Morley, this is still my home for the next month. I will thank you to knock next time. You are NOT the rightful owner until the end of July."
Sir Morley's face turned an unbecoming shade of purple as he tried to control his own temper. "Apologies, Mistress Fitzhugh. I seem to have left my set of keys here on the..ah, there they are!"
Cecily said formally, "May I present my twin brothers newly arrived from the Colonies? John and Daniel Gwinnett....this is Sir Jacob Morley. Future owner of Bonniebrae soon to be known as Morley Hall."
John nodded. Daniel got a look on his face and John inwardly groaned. Oh no, Daniel! Please don't....!
Daniel walked up to Sir Morley and said, "You are the vile and dissolute creature that swindled Bonniebrae from our sister?"
Sir Morley's jaw worked but no words came out. Cecily said, "Yes, he's the one who won it in a game of chance with Byron."
Daniel drew his fist back and smashed Sir Morley in the face. As Morley doubled over, Daniel punched him in the stomach. Morley went flying backwards across the gold inlaid table. Daniel finished him off by racking him in a place that only a man can appreciate the pain and the agony.
Cecily gasped. To John she said, "Are you not going to help him?"
John stood there impassive. "No, Daniel seems to be doing OK by himself!"
"No! I meant Sir Morley!" Daniel stood there and said, "OW! I think that punch to the face ripped my knuckles!" The three of them looked at the prone form of Sir Jacob Morley laying on the floor of the parlor. Daniel's breath came in gasps. "If there is any justice, let me finish him off!"
John said, "No, Daniel. Let him live. And let him think about the 'one that got away'. Cecily? Are you ready to go?"
Cecily nodded. "One thing before I leave..."
She walked calmly over to where Morley lay unconscious on the floor. She drew her foot back and kicked him in the posterior. Imperiously, she said, "That one is for Byron!"
She turned to her brothers and asked, "Where do you want to do this?"
John took his coin out and grinned, "I always liked the great outdoors...don't you?"
The three of them walked into the garden. John said, "Cecily, it is important that you don't drop Daniel's and my hand."
Cecily stopped abruptly and cried, "Prince! I can't go without my Prince!"
John and Daniel looked to each other and said, "Prince?"
Cecily pointed to a dog that was running towards her.
"How could I even think of leaving him behind? Byron gave him to me last year."
It was a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Prince jumped up on Cecily and pawed her dress.
'I can't go without Prince! I WON'T go without Prince!"
Daniel groaned and said, "Just what we need! Another dog around!"
John said, "Alright! Daniel? Can you tuck the dog under your arm?"
He said, "If I have to." He picked the dog up and said, "Stop squirming, pooch!"
"OK. Cecily, anything else that is here stays behind. Are you alright with that?"
She nodded and gripped their hand tightly. She took a deep breath. John said, "Everyone ready?"
The other two nodded. John said, "OK..Cecily, close your eyes....Chappaqua, New York. Present time."
The air glowed and swirled. And all that was left were tulips and daffodils.


WHICH ONE IS WHICH?......by Coralynn

When Eleanor and her robot touch down in the kitchen of the big house on Winding Willow, Marilyn looks up from composing her 'Dear Sally' advice column, and remarks, "Glad to see you back so soon, El."
The robot (ER), replies, "Glad to be back! Where's lunch?"
The real Eleanor looks at ER, frowning, "Nice try! But, Marilyn, I'm really Eleanor, this other one is the robot."
"I am the real one," the ER says.
"Are not!" Eleanor is getting angry.
"Am so!"
"Are not!"
"Can you do this?" the ER leaps up on top of the wooden storage cupboard and looks down on the other two women triumphantly.
Marilyn remarks to the real Eleanor, "Right!"
Real Eleanor draws off a cup of coffee, reaching in her pocket for the remote control, which ER sees and yells out, "NO! NO!" but to no avail, as Eleanor pushes the 'de-activate' button. The ER collapses and falls off the cupboard onto the floor with a thump.
"So much for her!" Eleanor places her cup on the table, "And, so much for Henry! I got him to abdicate the throne, plus.." she brings out the signed papers, slapping them on the table, "sign a divorce decree!"
"But, considering how long ago that was, does it really change anything?" Marilyn asks.
"Not really. I enjoyed forcing him to sign the papers, though, or rather the robot made him sign by beating him up, biting him, karate chopping him, the list goes on. It was lovely!"
"I feel a little sorry for the poor thing, though," Marilyn glances down at the robot, now in a heap on the floor.
"It's a machine, Marilyn. Only a machine," Eleanor explains, kicking it aside, then changing the subject, "William still out at little Will's field trip?"
"Yes. And John and Daniel are gone on a time travel trip, but should be back pretty soon. They went to get their sister, Cecily. Can't wait to meet her! You know about the book Moose is writing about her life, don't you?"
"You told me a little, but, as you know, I've been preoccupied with this robot business. Is the media still reporting me dead?"
"They sure are. You'd better tell them pretty soon. Look in the living room...." Marilyn suggests.
Eleanor gets up and glances into the living room which is full of huge vases of flowers. The aroma all but knocks her down. "Rats! Do we have to return all these to the senders?"
"Are you asking me, Marilyn, or the lady who writes the advice column?" Marilyn quips.


WELCOME TO 21st CENTURY, CECILY.....by Terri

Rosamond came into the kitchen and said, "I think I'll be going home now..AAAAHHH! What the heck is THAT?"
Eleanor gently nudged ER with her foot. "That, my dear, is the late, great Eleanor the Wonder Woman. Batteries are extra!"
Rosamond looked closely at the robot. "Are you sure? I mean....you ARE El, aren't you?"
Eleanor laughed and said, "You want proof?" She held up the remote. "I'd re-activate her but I am afraid she is PMS-ing."
Rose looked at Marilyn and then El. "Now that is damn scary!"
Julie came toddling into the kitchen and saw the prone Eleanor on the ground and started to cry. Eleanor picked her up and said, "Oh, Julie! It is OK! Auntie El is here! It's just an Eleanor dolly!"
Rose took the crying child and cuddled her. "I guess she doesn't really understand. Hush, Julie! Auntie El is OK."
Celeste came in with Jenna in the carrier. "Oh, dear! Julie ran into plastic El, didn't she?"
Rosamond put Julie down and put her coat and mittens on. "I'm afraid she's overly tired. I have to take her home for her nap. Celeste? Thanks for the recipe for chicken croquettes. I'd better get back home. Lord, I'll be so glad when John touches down again. I get so nervous during these time travels. They never go smooth!"
Marilyn said, "Only when you are along, Rose."
"What?"
I said, 'oh, they won't be long, Rose.' "
Rose let out a breath. "I'd better go home and wait. I am anxious to meet my sister-in-law. I hope she likes me. I'd like a sister!"
El laughed and said, "What are we, chopped liver?"
Rose said, "Of course not! OH! I just had a thought! Can you imagine all the hunky men we can fix her up with?"
They all laughed and Rose headed down the street to her home.

John, Daniel and Cecily opened their eyes. They were standing in John's living room.
"Home at last!" he said. "I sure am glad it went smoothly!"
Daniel said, "Yeah. You left your liability at home!"
Cecily looked around in wonder. "Where--where AM I?"
John said, "In my living room. Parlor to you, I guess. Pretty nifty, isn't it!"
Cecily looked around and said, "John--are you rich?"
Daniel said, "Yeah. He's rich."
John called out, "Rosamond? You home?"
No answer. "That's odd. She was supposed to be here." Prince sniffed around. Out of the den bounded Jake and Belle. Cecily clapped her hands. "Oh, look! Those beautiful dogs are giving Prince a real warm welcome!" Alot of dog-sniffing. No growling, always a good sign.
Just then the back door opened up and a voice was heard, "I am puttiing you down for a nap, Julie! Thank goodness your baby sister has already fallen asleep!"
Sounds of a little child fussing and then sounds of a mother struggling to get a coat off the child. John grinned. "Guess she is back! Wait here!"
John went into the kitchen and said, "Where's my welcoming committee?"
Rose cried, "You're back!" She flung herself in his arms and peppered his face with kisses. "Don't leave me again! I was such a basket case I had to go over to see the rest of the gang!"
John scooped up Julie and gave her a kiss. "Da-da! "
Rose said in a whisper, "Is she here? Did you get her away from there?"
John nodded towards the living room. "Yep! Sure did! Want to meet her?"
Rose said, "Oh, John! What if she doesn't like me? I look a fright! Jenna spit up on me and Julie is fussy. I don't want to make a bad impression."
John held Julie and said, "Oh, come on! She's a very laid-back person. Grab the baby carrier with Jenna and come in."
Rosamond hung her coat on the hook and nervously ran her fingers through her hair to fluff it up. She picked Jenna up out of the carrier and followed John into the living room. On the couch sat a beautiful young woman with dark brown hair and big brown eyes. Her face was heart-shaped and she was dressed in clothes from the 17th century. Daniel sat there talking to her and she was laughing.
John said proudly, "Cecily? May I introduce my wife Rosamond? And here is Julie Beth and the baby is Jenna Rose."
Rose stood there and smiled shyly. She extended her hand to Cecily. Cecily stood up and took it. "So! You are Rosamond! I've heard alot about you!"
Rose turned to Daniel and said, "YOU DIDN'T!"
Daniel put a surprised look on his face and said, "What? Me? Nothing but glowing commendations, sweetheart!"
Cecily laughed. "Don't mind Daniel! He's always been like this. So! These are the children!"
Julie buried her face in John's shoulder and wouldn't look up. "She's a little bashful around strangers," he said.
Daniel said, "OK, Rose! Show her the baby!"
Cecily came forward and Rosamond took the blanket from Jenna's face. Cecily gasped. "OH MY GOODNESS! That--that's ME!"
John laughed and said proudly, "I thought you would like it! You even share the same middle name!"
Rosamond said, "Would you like to hold her, Cecily?"
"May I?"
Rose handed the baby to Cecily, then stood put her arm around John's waist and said warmly, "Welcome to the twenty-first century, Cecily!"


A FRIGHT........by Coralynn

Eleanor goes upstairs to change into her jeans while Marilyn finishes off her advice column, chewing on the end of the pencil, trying to decide whether to tell the lady who wrote in to kick her husband to the curb or put him in rehab, or both. She's jolted out of her reverie by a scream.
Bess has entered the room and is continuing to scream, looking down at the Eleanor robot.
"Bess! That's just the robot! El is upstairs changing her clothes!" she tells the younger woman.
Bess lets out a huge breath, "Why is it lying here? I mean, Marilyn, it looks so realistic!"
"She meant to put it down in the cellar with those other robots. She will after she changes her clothes, chances are."
"Well, before it scares the bejeebers out of anyone else, I'm going to!" Bess picks up the surprisingly light form and starts down the cellar stairs with it. Marilyn can hear the 'thunk, thunk, thunk' as the robot hits against each stair, but soon hears nothing.
Bess turns on the light in the storage area which sends a very pale light over the room. She sees the other robots, all of whom are supposed to look like famous people, and shudders. "My God you guys look real!" she compliments them, getting up close to the one who is supposed to be the spitting image of what the others have been calling 'that idiot in the White House,' and noticing how realistic his hair looks. She jumps when she thinks she sees the eyes move. "My nerves are shot!" she concludes as she makes sure the Eleanor robot is in a line with the other women robots, then jumps again when she thinks she sees the Eleanor one move her hand.
"I'd better get back upstairs before get totally creeped out!" she says aloud as she turns off the light, heads for the stairs, and runs up into the kitchen.
The eyes of the robot turn and look at the robot whose hand is moving, trying to send signals to her. But all she does is move her hand, over and over in the darkness.