CHRISTMAS: RING OUT WILD BELLS!

Early Morning in Westchester County.......by Coralynn

It's still very dark out as Rosamond and John stealthily pad down the stairs to where the Tree is a riot of colored bulbs.
They're carrying wrapped packages, and place them under the tree.
"There, that's good, now let's start the coffee maker," Rose whispers, after giving John one more kiss, one more kiss before the others awaken and the celebrating begins.

Little Will comes out of his room, and, seeing Rosamond, runs to her. She scoops him up in her arms and plants baby-kisses all over his beaming face.
"Did Santa come?" he asks, squirming to get free to investigate. He hurries over to the tree and sees a bright red fire-engine and the game he'd been requesting of everyone in the house.
"Santa must have heard me ask for this!" he chimes, "Cause here it IS! Thank you, Santa!" he runs around the room throwing imaginary kisses to Santa in every possible direction.
Rose and John laugh and pour a glass of orange juice for the child.
He drinks it quickly, then winds up the fire engine and off it goes across the floor, making loud clanging sounds.
Marilyn peers out of her room, "OH! Christmas has begun!" she is still putting on her robe as she joins them, "WOW, little Will, that is one great fire truck you have there!"
He rewards her by winding it up again and sending it across the living room into the dining room, into the kitchen, where it finally comes to rest against a wall.
Marthy, who also has a first floor bedroom and hears the sound, comes out and stands in the kitchen, shivering.
"Oh, Marthy, here....let me get you a robe and slippers!" Marilyn laughs, "You look like you're about to freeze!"
"It does get cold here, and the snow, oh that snow last night was beautiful, much more lovely than any snow I ever saw back at Court!" Marthy's eyes are gleaming.

They then hear many voices as William, Eleanor, and Bethia come down the stairs.
"Where's Jack?" William asks.
Marthy goes to Jack's first floor bedroom and pokes her head in. Jack is in bed totally covered, head and all.
"Get up sleepy head! It's Christmas morn!" Marthy says cheerfully, "Everyone is up but you! Christmas is about to begin!"

Jack emerges from his room at the same time Celeste, who has been bunking in Little Will's large room, also joins them.
Little Will runs to her and flings himself into her arms, "LOOK! Gramma Celeste! I got the truck and the game. Santa was here!" he is beside himself with glee.
Celeste has already dressed in an outfit all red and green with a garland of mistletoe around her head.
"You look dressed the occasion!" Eleanor comments. "In honor of your great outfit, you get to decide: shall we have breakfast first or open presents first?"
Almost everyone yells "OPEN PRESENTS FIRST!"
Eleanor laughs, "Why did I think you'd all prefer that? But, now, it's Celeste who decides."
"Presents for sure!" Celeste agrees with the group, "And I'll choose the first one, being I look the most like Santa!" she pats her middle and everyone chuckles.
To make the newcomers feel included right away, she brings a huge box out of the back of the enormous pile of packages and hands it to Marthy.
"For ME?!" Marthy is overcome, "Let's see, it says here it is from.......now just a minute, I can read a little.....it's from William!" she's proud to have successfully read the name, as her schooling was cut short because her family needed her to go out and work.
She carefully begins to undue the wrapping paper. "Rip it off!" Little Will is by her side, yanking off the red shiny paper that she is trying so hard to preserve.
"You rip it off? But it's beautiful!" Marthy can't understand destroying something so lovely.
"YEAH!" Little Will tells her as he helps her yank off the paper. She then takes off the top of the box carefully and peers inside. "Aaaaaaoouuuu! It's a beautiful dress!" she holds up the wool dress that William purchased for her with some advice from Eleanor, of course.
"Thank you, William! OH William, thank you, thank you..." she says over and over and would still be saying so to this day had Celeste not chosen another present and handed it to Jack. All eyes are on him as he duplicates Little Will's technique of present opening, and is soon holding up a suede leather jacket. His eyes are huge. Nowhere, outside of royalty, has he seen such quality.
"Thank you Eleanor!" he grins at her, "LOOK everybody.....is this not the most wonderful jacket in the world?"
"Indeed," and "Absolutely" are heard.
It takes about two hours for all the presents to be passed out and opened. By then every member of the group has a heaping pile of goodies near them on the floor.
John has given Rosamond a beautiful diamond tennis bracelet and she has given him solid gold cuff links and tie clasp and a new wallet and all manner of small but thoughtful things.
Bethia has given the women some of the most stunning examples of her new dress line.
Marilyn has given everyone boxes of books according to what she perceives to be their interests.
Marthy and Jack, taken to the stores by Bethia and William, have also been able to give gifts. Whenever someone opens one of them, they become as excited as if the gift were for them.
Eleanor has given everyone generous gift certificates to some of the better department stores, so that they can choose for themselves.

Finally, when all the ripped-off wrapping paper has been collected up and disposed of, Bethia announces, "Who wants breakfast?"
There is a mad rush for the dining room table.
Celeste and Bethia and Jack head into the kitchen to prepare the food, as Eleanor shows Marthy how to set the table. Marthy has never seen forks before and holds them up to examine the odd shape. "I say there, ducks, is this not the best Holiday I have ever had in my 19 years of life?" she declares.



HENRY'S SMOKER.........by Terri

After four days together, Billy Bob and Daniel were running out of things to say.
They had already regaled each other with their conquests of the opposite sex, talked of where to get the ultimate pizza in New York, and bragged about how much booze each could put away.
They compared notes on Rosamond, Billy Bob told stories of him and Bobby Joe growing up in Texas together and Daniel talked about the women of Southold.
"Yeah, there was one I almost got John killed for. Her name was Mehitable Glover.
And her sister Hester. Old Elias almost strung John up thinking it was me when he came to get me. Mehitable SAID it was my kid, I didn't believe her."
Billy Bob started laughing and couldn't stop.
"What's so funny?" Daniel asked.
Yet everytime Billy Bob started to explain, he dissolved into laughter. It finally came out, though.
"My mother's maiden name is Gwinnett--from Southold. Descended from Mehitable Glover and the child she claimed was Daniel Gwinnett's. Do you know what this means?"
Daniel shook his head no.
"It means that my nine times great grandfather had a fling with my wife!!"
At this they both started laughing and couldn't stop. Daniel was bent over holding his stomach and Billy Bob was laughing so hard he got the hiccups.
"It also means I have spent four days in the dungeon with my 9X great grandson!" Daniel roared.
Everytime they stopped, they looked at each other and started howling again.
Between gasps, Billy Bob said, "And my grandpere ALMOST had my wife--at gunpoint! Oh! Oh! Oh! This is just too much!"
They were still laughing when Henry II came down, looking at them. "I am inviting you to a Christmas feast. In exchange for a decent meal, clean clothing and a respectable bed, I want to know all of what Rosamond is up to. Have we a deal?"
Billy Bob and Daniel jumped up. They would have sold their first born (which very well could be Rosamond's child) with an order of fries for a decent meal.
The jailer unlocked the door and Henry led the way up the stairs, turning at midpoint and saying, "Stay ten feet behind me. You guys reek!"
Up in the chamber assigned to them, Daniel and Billy Bob found tubs of warm water and peasants' clothing laid out. They entered the Great Hall.
Henry waved them to the seats at the table. John Plantagenet, Richard and Geoffrey were also there.
Food was brought in. Platters of turkey legs, stuffed goose, savory stews, crusty breads and meat pies, complemented by raisin cakes, honey cakes, and plum puddings washed down by plenty of ale.
Billy Bob and Daniel were eating like there was no tomorrow but they were cautious about overdoing it. The ale and mead were flowing.
Henry leaned over the two of them and asked, "Alright, how is Rosamond?"
Daniel and Billy Bob looked at each other and gave a warning glance to the other. Basically it said, 'be careful not to reveal too much'.
Daniel said, "Oh, she's OK. She took a career as an actress."
Henry was appalled. "An actress? My Ro'? Why, only strumpets and whores become actresses!"
John P. and Richard snickered as if to say, 'And your point is?...."
Billy Bob spoke up. "She is no longer an actress, Your Majesty. I saw to that."
Henry waved it away. "Call me Henry, Your Majesty is too formal---for now."
He narrowed his eyes. "Are you the one that wed my fair Rosamond?"
Billy Bob returned his stare without flinching. "Yes, I am. I had no idea she was a time traveler and she gave no indication of being attached."
Henry backed down slightly. "That can be rectified. What I want to know is, what of the child. How is Will?"
Daniel spoke up. "Will is fine. He is a great little kid, takes after his father."
That pleases Henry. He laughed uproariously. "Well, that is the one thing that Rosamond and I accomplished that will live on. We live on through the lives of our children, a physical manifestation of love."
Billy Bob dropped his knife and spoon on the floor. Henry said, "Something wrong, man?"
Billy Bob said, "No. Not at all." He looked at Daniel and Daniel's look said, 'shut up for now and I will explain later'.
Daniel related stories of Will's camp, his love for books and his excellent horsemanship for his age. "He does fantastic for a four year old, not afraid of anything."
Billy Bob began to mentally figure up. The boy is four, Rosamond is 22, what the heck? She had a baby at 18 and didn't even tell me? Where IS that kid?
He was beginning to realize he didn't know his wife at all.
Before the night was over, Henry told them they could stay in the chambers until William picked them up, but they would be under guard and not allowed to leave the rooms.
Daniel looked at Henry's hand and saw a jagged scar across the palm.
"Sire, begging your pardon, but what happened to your hand? A lance due to jousting?"
Henry's face darkened at the memory. "No. Rosamond pulled a dagger on me and it sliced through my hand when I grabbed for it. Trashed the room, though. Taught her a lesson."
Daniel laughed. "Yeah, that always unnerves her."
With that, they left the room and left the Plantagenets to party on.
When they reached their chambers, Billy Bob whirled on Daniel.
"What the HELL is this about a child?"
Daniel was surprised. "You didn't know? Rosamond has a child by Henry. He lives with us at the house. Celeste is his nanny. Sorry, I thought you knew. Great little kid, smart as a whip and cute as a bug. Takes after Rose."
Billy Bob shook his head. "She never mentioned him. You mean I am actually a stepfather? This ISN'T Rose's first child she's carrying?"
Billy Bob shook his head. "Just how many secrets is that woman hiding?"
Daniel blew out the candle and slid into the rushes. You'd be surprised, Billy old pal,
he thought.

******** ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******
___________......by Terri

John and Rosamond sat on the couch watching Will play with all his toys.
"John, this bracelet is beautiful!"
John said, "There is that solitaire diamond ring to match it, just waiting for the time I can slip it on your finger, love."
Little Will crawled up on John's lap and threw his arms around his neck. John hugged him back. Will said, "I wish you were my daddy, Uncle John."
John nuzzled his neck. "I wish I was too, Sport!"
Will looked at Rosamond. "Where is Papa, Mommy?"
John and Rosamond looked at each other and Rose said, "He's far away doing very important work, Will."
"Will I ever see him again?"
They exchanged glances. "Maybe in time, Will. You will have to be alot older to see your father. You have to be strong and brave."
Will said, "I AM strong and brave!"
"Yes you are, my little love. But Papa is very busy and we mustn't disturb him."
Will got down from John's lap. "OK, Mama, I think Gramma Celeste has cookies for me in the kitchen."
Rosamond smiled, "Then by all means, Godspeed to the kitchen, my brave and strong Will!"
Rose leaned back against John. "I wish it could stay like this forever, John. I have to go back to the ranch in two days. I wonder what kind of mood Billy Bob will be in.
Why did I have to be so stupid as to not wait for you?" She entwined her hand with John's and looked into his eyes. "I love you so much. Billy Bob was planning on taking me to New Orleans for the holidays. He wanted to spend them with Pierre. He wrote and told him we got married, he hadn't received a reply. The old guy probably stroked out when he found out I married his great grandson! OH! OH!"
John grew alarmed. "What's wrong, Rose?"
Rosamond grabbed his hand and put it on her stomach. "The baby just kicked! There it goes again!"
John smiled hugely and looked at Rose with love in his eyes. He said softly, "Incredible!"
The front door opened and Jerry and Roger were there, arms loaded down and they stomped the snow off their feet.
Bethia and Eleanor ran to their respective "boyfriends" and gave them each a hug and kiss. John whispered to Rose, "I think love is in the air!" Rose smiled, her eyes shining with her own love for John and the happiness she felt for her best friends.
"All of them deserve happiness. I wonder what next year will bring?"
John smiled. "A son or daughter for us!"
Roger came over to John and Rose. "So how is the little mother getting along?"
Rose smiled, "Just fine! John got to feel the baby kick."
Roger shook John's hand. "It's the most wonderful feeling in the world, John. I always wanted children but Ruth said no way." He glanced at Bethia. "But you never know what the future will bring!" He got up and followed Bethia into the kitchen.
John and Rosamond laughed. "He's smitten!" John said.
"Well, Bethia deserves the best!"
John said, "How would you like to get away, just the two of us, overnight? Marty said I could use his cabin. It's just over the state line into Vermont."
Rosamond said, "It's a lovely idea but I think I want to be surrounded by my friends. I've missed them so much!"
John was quiet. "Does your husband suspect anything?"
Rosamond said "I can't tell. Next thing I know he'll install a lo-jack on my car."
"Darling, we've got to think of a way out of this."
But Rosamond kept remembering what Billy Bob said and didn't want to chance John's life. "I'll think of that tomorrow. Right now, let's forget all about it and concentrate on each other!"
John tilted her chin and said, "If you insist!" and kissed her tenderly.

We Gather Together to Ask...(whoops! That's Thanksgiving, not Christmas, OH WELL!)......by Coralynn

The presents have been put away and the evening snack consumed.
"We have enough turkey for a week's worth of sandwiches!" William pushes back his recliner, "And I, for one, am a happy camper!"
Eleanor's eyes light up, "SEE William? You can use modern expressions! A happy camper! Excellent!"
He reaches over to swat her as she goes by, but she's too quick for him.
Bethia comes in with a turkey sandwich, commenting, "Making two 20 pound turkeys was an inspired idea, Celeste!"
Celeste is sitting on the floor playing a board game with Little Will and looks up, "I've had a lot of experience with Holiday cooking, and you can't have too much turkey!"
"AMEN!!" John and Rose say in concert.
William glances at his watch and asks, "Isn't it about time Henry and Luke and Grace and her children and Gilda got here?"
"I think I hear a car in the drive now," Eleanor looks out the window, "Yes, Henry drove over to picked up Grace and her group. Didn't dare take Luke with him. No need to scare the poor woman. He's walking over from the castle, in fact, he's at the back door right now! No Daniel, though, now isn't that a pity? Anyone here miss Daniel? If so, raise your hands!"
No one does.
Bethia had taken many presents over to the Blue House the day before, and sees that Grace is wearing the new coat she gave her, as well as the children, all bundled up in their new winter snow gear.
She goes to the door and yells out, "Welcome! Come in, come in, you're just in time for a Christmas snack! We have cookies and turkey sandwiches and wassail and all manner of great stuff. OH, look at you, Rebecca, I swear you must have grown 5 inches since I saw you last!"
Little Rebecca giggles and comes inside. Grace enters the house and is dumb-struck by the glory of the Christmas tree, laden as it is with every conceivable decoration.
Luke is now entering the house by the back door, greeted by William, and Henry8 is the last one in the front door, coming in with fanfare and much stomping of snow off his shoes.

"Merry Christmas, William!" he goes to where William and Luke are now standing, "My best friend, my boon companion, William!"
William gives him a weak smile. Seems that caper he let Henry participate in has done more 'bonding' than he counted on.

Soon Little Will and Tim and Rebecca are playing with toys and games in Will's room. The adults can hear the delighted laughter.
Grace hasn't met Marthy and Jack before, so Bethia attempts to see if the two newcomers can become friends with Grace. Perhaps they can find a common ground of interest somehow. No one else has succeeded with Grace up to now.

Jack is discussing technology with Roger and Jerry, after an abortive attempt to connect on some level with Grace.
Marthy is still hanging in there.
"You've not been to Court?" Marthy is confused that Grace has no clue what 'Court' is. Considering that Marthy is a product of the 12th Century, and Grace of the 17th, the gap is too great for either of them.
Bethia can see that Marthy is about to give up, but doesn't want to offend Grace, so Bethia takes the poor woman under her wing and they go into the kitchen to see if perhaps cooking is up Grace's alley. Bethia sees Grace reach for the cooking sherry and quickly snatches it from her hand. Whew! That's all they'd need; Grace going on her 'hot to trot' mode, especially with Luke in the house.
"It's A Wonderful Life" comes on TV, and they all sit to watch. Many are sitting on the floor, as the room, large as it is, does not seat that many people easily. No one complains, but sits watching the movie eating leftovers and pies, contented.
And so the Christmas Holiday draws to a close.
Everyone in the house eventually withdraws to their bedrooms, and the visitors depart for their own domiciles. A light snow begins to fall, blanketing the pine trees, producing a picture perfect Yuletide.

Does this earn us Frequent Flier Miles??....by Coralynn

William and Luke and Marilyn stand in the back yard of the big house.
The snow is fairly deep, and they're all bundled up in their warmest clothes.
"You ready?" William asks the other two.
Marilyn and Luke are excited but nervous.
"What if we end up in the wrong timeframe?" Marilyn asks, as she's been told that the reason Bethia and John joined the group was because William hadn't programmed the coin quite right and they ended up in 1640 Southold instead of 21st century Manhattan.
"I've gotten the bugs out, don't worry," William smiles at her. These first time time-travelers must feel like they're about to drop off the edge of the world. HE, however, has time-traveled so many times he has racked up about 50,000 miles to date, at least.
William holds out both hands, and soon they are also in a circle, hands clasped.
The air changes color, swirls and off they go.
Bethia has been watching from the window and grins as she sees them disappear. She turns to Rosamond, who is sitting at the kitchen table, and remarks, "Well, are you ready for Billy Bob to come home? I think I'd better drive you out to the ranch now."
Rosamond heaves a mighty sigh and gets her coat. "The past six days have been sheer heaven," she tells Bethia, "How I hate for it to end!"
Bethia hugs her warmly and feels tears on the other woman's cheek.
Bethia takes Rosamond's hand and they exit the house and get in the car. It makes fresh tracks down the driveway in the new fallen snow.


Marilyn opens her eyes and sees something that looks like a movie set, a movie about King Arthur or someone around that time in history.
"This is the REAL thing?" she asks William, finding it hard not to think of it as the back lot at Paramount.
"The real thing," he assures her, then looks at Luke, who is concentrating very hard on something.
"What's your impression, Luke?" he asks.
"This place has a certain quality to it, something I think I can translate into music, I'm sure of it!"
"Well, of course you can, you're a genius!" Marilyn takes his arm and gives it a squeeze. He smiles, then, as William is advancing on the Castle, follows him slowly, looking at everything along the way, and humming tunes.

As they enter the Castle they see a sight none of them will ever forget........


KEGGER!.........by Terri

As they enter the Great Room, there is much feasting and partying going on.
The musicians are playing. Sonnets? Madarigals? No. There among the mead, the wine, the ale, the turkey legs, there is John Plantagenet, Richard the Lionhearted, Geoffrey LeBon and Henry II among others. And Daniel Gwinnett and William Robert Montgomery
It is a sight William is unprepared for. William expected to pick up two men who were beaten, wasted, and half-crazed. Instead, he walks into....a kegger. A frat party. Billy Bob and Daniel are leading them in a drunken line dance and all of them are singing "Louie Louie".
William's mouth drops open and for once no words are coming out.
Daniel squints through an alcoholic haze. "Hey, BB, look who's come to pick us up!
Hey, Willy Nilly!"
William is sprayed with beer, he knew not where it came from.
John Plantagenet is hanging from the candle chandelier.
Someone yells out, "AGAIN!"
And all of them start singing, swigging beer with their arms around each other's shoulders in camaraderie. Billy Bob must have been a frat boy because they start singing,

Woke up this morning, my head was so bad
The worst hangover that I ever had
What happened to me last night
That girl of mine, she loved me so right

She loved me so long and she loved me so hard
I finally passed out in her front yard (whoo!)
It wasn't wine that I had too much of
It was a double shot of my baby's love

Double shot of my baby's love, yeah, yeah, yeah
Double shot of my baby's love, yeah, yeah, yeah
A potion that I had too much of
It was a double shot of my baby's love


Luke turns to William. "I'd translate it into music but I think it's already been done!"
William yells, "WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
The music stops, Henry II stops line dancing and everyone falls into each other like dominos.
Geoffrey booms out, "BUSTED!!"

William strides up to Henry and hisses, "You were supposed to teach these two meatheads a lesson! Teach them respect for Rose and to leave her alone!"
Henry looks at him through a fog. "Change of plans, my fat friend. It's a new frat--is that the word, Billy Bob? Frat? Phi Beta Rho, or, for the Greek impaired, I Bagged Rose!"
With that they all start laughing and dumping beer over each other's heads.
Marilyn and Luke shrink back in the shadows, making themselves all but invisible.
William can see he's getting nowhere with this motley crew so he takes Ferguson the valet aside. "I shall require two rooms until early tomorrow morning, Ferguson. The least amount of people who know this the better."
Ferguson motions to Henry to follow him.
In the distance they can still hear

It was such a thrill it was hurtin' me
I was sufferin' in ecstacy
A sip of her love and I was walkin' on a cloud
One night a week is a-plenty enough
It's a good thing for me they don't bottle that stuff
When I take a double shot of my baby's love yeah yeah yeah

Ferguson shows William and Luke one room, Marilyn to another across the hall.
William wonders, can you get motion sickness on time travel? If so, I'd better bring some dramamine.


Show Me The Way To Go Home........by Coralynn

Marilyn spends the night in the chamber with a decent bed in it, and sleeps quite well despite the singing and riotous laughter coming from the great hall.
Luke sleeps off and on. He ponders how to turn the cacaphony into a piece of music. Hmmmmm, most atonal, he realizes, and not what I'm used to writing, but ...... might as well go with the times.

William is up bright and early, well maybe not so bright, as the racket from the great hall has interrupted his sleep as well.
He goes to the rooms occupied by Marilyn and Luke, tiptoes in and whispers, "Are you awake?"
Luke is. In fact, he's been awake for over an hour and wondered how long he'd have to lie there waiting for futher instructions.
"I'm awake, and will not be a bit upset about leaving this madhouse," he tells William, who nods his agreement.
William then goes to see if Marilyn is awake. She is just opening one eye, and when she sees him she sits upright and tells him, "This is an experience I'll never forget! Glad I came, but, William, let's go HOME!"
He nods his agreement at her, too, and tells her, "We'll have to find wherever Daniel and Billy Bob have dropped first."
"Dropped?!"
"At some point the alcohol level in their bloodstreams must have rendered them unconsious. I'll start looking. You get dressed and meet me in the great hall."

William doesn't have to look very long for the two bad-boys, as they are both passed out on the floor rushes.
William peers down at Daniel, lifts up his head and then lets it drop with a thunk.
"OWWW, DAMMMMMMMMNN!" Daniel cries out.
"Time to go home now, Frat Boy!" William says loudly.
Billy Bob hears this noise and raises his head, then shuts his eyes against the morning glare.
"Ouuuuuuu, I am so wasted!" he complains.
"We are leaving for the 21st Century in fifteen minutes, gentlemen, or shall I call you Blood Brothers? Get your carcasses off the floor and in some semblance of order, because we are OUT of here!"

Luke and Marilyn enter the great room and look at the dissarray with wonder.
"There are pools of liquid all over the floor rushes!" Marilyn says, screwing up her face in disgust.
"Beer or mead or something even more disgusting?" Luke asks.
"You don't wanna know!!" William starts prodding the still almost prone bodies of BB and Daniel. This gets them in a standing position. They rub their heads, then look at each other, peering out of eyes that look red and puffy. They point at each other and laugh, but that hurts, too, so they try to stop, but find they can't.
Henry2 comes bustling into the room, sees the group and quickly joins them. He looks fine. He does not appear to be suffering any mal effects of the night of revelry.
"William, so sorry you decided not to join the party last night. It was the best yet! You aren't thinking of taking away my new friends are you?" he claps BB on the back, which sends BB into a fit of coughing.
Daniel and BB lean on each other in the vain attempt to hold themselves upright. They begin to list to the left. Henry2 rushes over and braces them from behind.
"Surely you'll give my new buddies time to recover, will you not, William? Are you so cruel that you would take them away when they need peace and quiet?"
"TOO BAD, Henry, but the deal was that they leave on the 27th. It is now the 28th and they are leaving with us within the next 10 minutes.
Henry2 looks at Marilyn, who he didn't notice the night before, partly because she shrank back into the shadows and partly because he was partying too hard to notice.
He notices now, and smiles at this vision of lovliness. "Oh my God!" he exclaims, "What a living doll!"
She turns to Luke and comments, "He must have seen "The Seven Year Itch." Mr. Krahulik says that in that movie several times. I wonder how he saw it, though. I don't see any VCR players here."
Henry approaches Marilyn and reaches out to touch her face. Now, Henry has no idea how feisty this 'vision of lovliness' is, but finds out quickly enough when she smacks him across the face and yells, "Hands off, Buster!"

He jumps back. This one is a match for any man, and may even be more assertive than Eleanor. He misses the verbal parrying he and Eleanor used to so enjoy. So, to test it out, he approaches Marilyn again, and says,
"Would'st thou like a romp in the floor rushes, m'dear?"
This time she makes a fist and lets him have it.
"Glad you two are having fun, but it's time to GO now," William breaks in, "C'mon, all five of us, stand in a circle, or in your case, Dan and BB, slump in a circle, but get IN one and we will be off!"

They manage a ragtag circle, they grab Daniel's and Billy Bob's hands very firmly, and the swirling colored air takes them away.
Henry2 sits on a chair and broods, "NOW what will I do for fun?!" he asks the empty hall.


When the group of five land in the back yard of the big house, Daniel and BB immediately fall to their knees, then into prone positions. They again achieve the state of blissful oblivion.
Luke points at them and asks, "Are you just going to leave them there in a heap in the cold, William?"
"I sure am!" William declares and walks briskly to the back door. "You coming?"
Marilyn and Luke catch up with him and as they enter the kitchen, Bethia has just brewed a fresh pot.
They rush to the coffee maker and exclaim, "There's no place like home!" Marilyn clicks her heels together and laughs, then the others do so as well, though they aren't sure why.


You Can Take the Boy out of the Frat, but Can You Take the Frat Out of The Boy?......by Terri

Billy Bob nudged Daniel as the snowflakes landed on their faces. "Hey! Daniel! Get up before you get hypothermia."
Daniel groaned, "Watch that re-entry. It's a bitch!"
They looked around. They were in the back yard of Winding Willow.
Billy Bob got to a sitting position. "I guess I'd better get going. Rosamond will wonder where I've been."
Daniel shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "Oooooh, don't bet on it, Billy Bob. Bet she didn't stay home and if she did, she wasn't alone."
But Billy Bob was crawling towards his truck and grabbed the door handle to pull himself up. "Ooooh, this is rough. Got a lot to talk about with the little woman. Uhh,....later!"
"Uncle Daniel! Where have you been?"
Billy Bob looked up and saw a little boy with a sled. He was bundled up in a parka and had Big Bird mittens. Billy Bob moaned but got out of his truck and walked up to the child. "Hey, little guy. What's your name?"
The little boy looked up and said, "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers. Gramma Celeste and Mummy said not to."
Daniel said, "Will, this is Mr. Montgomery. He is a good friend of mine and your mommy's. Mr. Montgomery, this is Master William de Clifford."
Will held his hand out and said "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Montgomery."
Billy Bob smiled and then groaned. To Daniel he said, "Even smiling hurts! It's grand to meet you, Master de Clifford." He shook Will's hand.
Will said solemnly, "You know my mummy?"
Billy Bob looked over at Daniel and they smiled at each other. "Yes, I surely do and I expect we will be friends before long, too, Will."
Will said, "My mummy is going to have a baby. She lives somewhere else. I miss her sometimes but I have Aunt Beth and Aunt Eleanor and Gramma Celeste. I have to go now. Uncle John is going to help me make a snowman."
Billy Bob said to Daniel, "Uncle John?"
Daniel shrugged. "He's been kind of a surrogate dad to Will."
Billy Bob said, "Cute kid. Looks like Rosamond. Especially around the eyes."
Daniel said, "But make no mistake about it. He's Henry's child. I've seen him put away chocolate milk like his dad puts away ale!" With that they both laughed, then put their hands on their heads. "What the hell was in that ale, anyhow?" Daniel moaned.
Billy Bob gave a weak 'thumbs up' to Daniel and put the truck in reverse. He headed towards the ranch.

Rosamond lounged in a bubble bath trying to relax. Well, I guess Billy Bob will be home anytime now. Then phone rang, she reached over and picked it up. Cautiously she said, "Hello?"
"Rose, it's William. He just left here."
"What---what condition is he in?"
William laughed heartily. 'You've seen Henry's wild parties before?"
"Have I!"
William said, still laughing, "Last night's party made the previous parties look like an executive board meeting. I'm afraid Billy Bob and Daniel taught the Plantagenets how to party. Was your husband a frat boy?"
Rosamond said, "I think so. Phi Beta Kappa or something like that."
"Well, that explains it. You may want to give him an icepack and V-8. Or beer and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It won't be a pretty sight."
Rosamond said, "I think I hear the truck now. Bye!"
Billy Bob dragged himself out of the truck and barely made it up the stairs. Rose opened the door. "Well, I'd say 'where the hell have you been' but William called me."
Billy Bob looked at her through blood-red eyes. He had a six-day growth of beard.

Billy Bob could barely stand up.
Rosamond put her arm around his waist and led him to the stairs. "Can you make it upstairs?"
"Upstairs?"
"Yes, you know, to the bedroom?"
"Why, honey, you really DID miss me!" He kissed in her general direction.
"Yes, I did. Now one foot in front of the other. This way!"
Billy Bob leaned on her for support. She led him into the bedroom, sat him down on the bed, took off his leather jacket, and his boots.
He fell over sideways and she hoisted his feet over onto the bed and covered him up.
Best to let him sleep.
She stood looking at him. What a mess! And I feel responsible for his condition.
Rosamond turned out the light and shut the door. She went to her cellphone and called William.
"Well, he's home safe and sound. William, didn't you stop to think what could have happened to those two at Henry's?"
"Rose, you didn't object when it suited your purpose to get away for a week!"
"It-it's just that I'm looking at him sleeping there and he's such a mess. I really think you should keep an eye on Daniel, too."
William shouted, "Is this Rosamond? I mean, Rosamond de Clifford Montgomery?
This is a joke, right? Or have aliens abducted the real Rosamond and stuck a pod person in her place?!"
He slammed the phone down. John came in with Will from making a snowman.
"What's wrong?"
"Rosamond is raking me over the coals for the condition her husband is in! As if I was to blame!"
Will looked up. "Mummy has a husband? But Uncle John, you said YOU were going to be my daddy someday!"
John looked at Will and said, "I'm working on it, Sport."
To William, "Nice going, William. How do I explain THIS one?"
William stomped out of the room. "Somedays it doesn't pay to do anything for anyone!"

After a few hours, Rose went to check on Billy Bob. He began to stir. She closed the door and within a half hour she heard water running. She went in to get a towel for him and Billy Bob stood in the shower propped up against the wall with water running over his face. Problem was, he was still fully dressed!
"Bill, what do you think you are doing?" She turned the faucets off. He stood there dripping. She helped him out and gave him the towel. "Want to try this again, without the jeans and shirt this time?"
"Rose, where are my boots?" he slurred.
"I took them off."
"Aw, thank you, honey!" He tried to take his shirt off without unbuttoning it. Buttons flew everywhere. He tried to take off his jeans but fell against the wall and slid down.
Finally he got them off. He turned the water on and stepped in.
Rosamond said, "I'm going to fix you some V-8 juice and toast. Your razor is in the medicine cabinet, IF you can find your face in the mirror. Don't cut your throat, I don't want to clean up the mess."
As she walked out she could hear him singing, "..it was a double shot of my baby's love, yeah, yeah, yeah...."
Fifteen minutes later Rosamond came upstairs with a tray of soup, toast and coffee.
She was feeling guilty. VERY guilty.
Billy Bob came out of the bathroom freshly shaved and showered, but his eyes were bloodshot. He had on a terrycloth robe and he carefully lowered himself onto the bed.
"That must have been some party." Rose said.
"Oooh, you have no idea!" he said as Rosamond handed him some Advil.
"But then I guess you should know. You've been there. Why didn't you tell me, Rosamond?"
"Would you have believed me?"
"I don't know. It's so far-fetched. I actually was in a dungeon with my 9Xgreat grandfather."
"So you know about that, too?"
"Do YOU?"
"Yes, you inadvertantly told me about Mehitable Glover and Daniel Gwinnett. Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out."
Billy Bob stared at her. Rosamond was uncomfortable. "What? Why are you staring at me that way?"
"Nothing, it's just incredible that I am married to the woman who charmed Henry II and got him to put his wife in a tower. Henry told Daniel and me..."
Rose jumped up. "Well, don't believe everything that lecher tells you."
Billy Bob took a bite of toast. He said, "I also met a young man today. He was introduced to me as Mr. Will de Clifford. A very handsome and charming young man."
Rose whirled around. "Leave him out of this!"
Billy Bob was taken aback. "Rose, why didn't you tell me you had a child? Can you imagine the shock I felt when Henry asked about him?"
Rosamond said, "The boy has had too many adjustments in the last year. I didn't want to uproot him."
"Well, I think you should have told me that I am a stepfather, Rose!" He grabbed her wrist. "How many other secrets do you have, my love? And while we are at it, where were you and what were you doing that week I was gone?"

Rosamond jerked her wrist away. "You disappeared for six-no, SEVEN days, and I had no idea where you were until William told me! Spending the week partying with the Plantagenets, no less. I'm surprised Henry didn't invite my parents over so you could get to know your in-laws. This would have buried my father, by the way.
So you want to know where I was? I spent the week with my son. And Eleanor and Bethia."
Billy Bob's face darkened. "Was 'Uncle John' there?"
Rosamond said, "NO! From what I understand, he spent the week with some friends in Vermont skiing. And I heard there was female companionship there. So don't worry yourself about it!"
Billy Bob seemed mollified by this. "So then I guess he has moved on. He just may have saved his life."
Then he said, "Aw, honey, don't look at me like that. Of course you'd want to spend time with your child. He's a handsome boy, by the way. Very well-mannered. I liked him."
Rose said, "I know I should have told you about him. I just turned 18 when I had him. Henry insisted he have a wet-nurse and a nanny to take care of him right from birth. How is Henry by the way?"
Billy Bob laughed. "He was fun. In a ruthless sort of way. Is he the 'older man' you told me about in Austin? Or was that Richard? Or Geoffrey?"
Rosamond held her hand up. "Back up a minute! I never had an affair with Geoffrey, just some making out and necking in the hallway! I don't care what they told you!"
Billy Bob got out of bed gingerly and went over to the closet. He held out a small package, wrapped. "I was going to give this to you on Christmas day but, well, I guess I wasn't around for it, was I?"
Rosamond softened, then opened up her gift. Inside was a diamond and emerald necklace. "It's beautiful!" she breathed.
She held it up and Billy Bob went behind her and fastened the clasp. "It's to make up for not having a wedding. A proper one. I know women set a great deal of importance on it. Especially for a first wedding."
Rosamond said, "Yes, but Billy Bob, it was your first wedding, too!"
Billy Bob hesitated and said, "Yes. By the way, how were the horses taken care of while I was gone?"
Rose said, "I asked Bobby Joe what I should do and he recommended I hire a groom for them, try him out for the week. He's working out well. His name is Jack. Sure knows his way around the stables. He's from England. He was working out some of the horses at the house over on Winding Willow, William said I could have him for the week since William was responsible for the horses losing you for the week. He didn't want the horses to suffer."
Billy Bob stood behind her and kissed her on the neck. "Beauty AND brains! A deadly combination!" He groaned. "Ooooh, that ale. I'd better get some sleep!"
Rosamond had to laugh. "Henry is great for getting his guests to mix mead and ale.
The effect is like mixing beer and wine here. That way he incapacitates his guests without appearing inhospitable."
Billy Bob laid back on the bed and patted the spot next to him. Rose sat down next to him. "Want to tell me about pulling a dagger on the old boy?"
Rose grew pale and said, "No, I don't."
She said, "You've had a long week, one you didn't expect. Why don't you get some sleep?"
Billy Bob put his arms around her. "You're right, but I sleep better with you in my arms." Before long, he drifted off.
Rosamond slid out from his arms, bunched up a pillow and slid it in her space.
She touched the necklace and started to tear up.
What am I going to do, she whispered.

She went downstairs and dialed John's cellphone. He answered, "Hello?"
Rosamond whispered, "He's asleep so I can talk. He knows about Will."
"Well, how the hell did he find out about him?"
"Henry asked Daniel point blank and then when William unceremoniously dumped him and Daniel in the yard, Will was on his way back to make a snowman with you."
John said quietly, "Glad I missed him."
Rosamond said softly, "He knows I spent Christmas at the house. I had to tell him something, but I told him you went skiing in Vermont with a girl so that seemed to pacify him. Please tell the others to back up my story and for heaven's sake, keep Will away from him if he happens to stop over there. You know how a four year old talks!"
"I love you, Rosamond. I don't know how long I can go on like this."
"We need to be very careful, John. Or else it will be the last thing we do."


WELCOME, Sweet Springtime, we greet thee with..........by Coralynn

It's raining. Hard. William looks out the kitchen window and pronounces, "This rain should melt off the last of that snow piled up around the edges of the back yard. It's only April, though, too soon to plant gardens."
"Yes, I know, William, your heart is still grieving for last year's gardens. Since Rose doesn't live here now, they may be safe from her at least!" Eleanor comments.
"Ahhhhh, would that she were still here! I would almost say the destruction of my gardens would be worth it, though that's going a bit far!" William turns to Eleanor and smiles ruefully.

Marilyn joins them, with a copy of her newly published book in hand.
"I'm scheduled for a book signing today, my first one!" she tells them excitedly, "Will you go with me, Eleanor, as moral support?"
"Sure! Be glad to!" Eleanor is gratified that Marilyn's book, "Confessions of a Sex Goddess" has been selling well.
"Are you going to sign them 'Sally Reynolds'?"
"I have to! If I sign my real name it could cause even more of a stir than my uncanny resemblance to Marilyn Monroe, the movie star, already has!"
"If they only knew!" Eleanor laughs.

Bethia comes downstairs in her robe, and dances around the kitchen, holding out her left hand, a most unusual thing for Bethia to do.
William eyebrows go up. "What's the deal, Beth?"
"I'M ENGAGED!" she announces happily, "SEE??" she holds her left hand out to William, who takes it and emits, "WOW! I wonder what goldmine is now totally empty after having produced this beauty?"
Eleanor rushes over to take a look and almost yells, "Good going Bethie! Wow, you and Roger, I knew it, I knew it!"
She hugs Bethia and as Marilyn and Marthy join them, the four do a group hug that dances around the kitchen. William shakes his head: Women!!

The women finally break apart at which time Marilyn is eager to know, "When's the wedding? When? TELL!"
"June, the month of weddings, the month of romance, the month of......", then turns serious, "I want Rose to be in the wedding as an attendant, but how can I get her away from that ranch and that miserable husband of hers, whats-his-name?"
"It's not like she can tell Billy Bob that she's going into town to shop, then drop over here for the wedding...." Eleanor muses, "Just a minute.......that might actually work!"
William's eyebrows ascend again, "Hatching a plot are you? I would ordinarily object, but I want her here as well. As long as she can manage to get here without running over my rose bushes!"
They all laugh.

Bethia then asks Marthy, "Ready to do some modeling for me? We have a fashion show this afternoon, are you up for it?"
"Yes, oh yes," Marthy exudes, "I think I can do it alright now, after you showed me how to walk and turn and all those moves that real models do. It's great to have a job and earn my own coins! Thank you!"
"Think nothing of it," Bethia smiles at her, "You've turned into a lovely 21st century woman! Would Henry2 have a fit or what?!"
"Oh yes, that dirty old man! He doesn't have me to chase around the kitchen anymore. Think he's figured out that Jack and I left when William did?"
Eleanor dismisses the issue with a wave of her hand, "Do we care what he thinks? You'll never have to see his face again, nor will I, nor will Rose, which I think calls for a celebration! And YOU, Marilyn, I have to congratulate you for socking him in the nose! You're the first woman who's ever done that, and I think that makes you Queen of the world!!"
"The King is dead! Long live the Queen!" Marthy booms out, as she raises her orange juice high.
Everyone claps.


BELL, BOOK and CANDLE.......by Coralynn

Eleanor and Marilyn are driving to the bookstore for Marilyn's signing when they hear thunder rumble overhead.
"Oh great!" Eleanor shakes her head in disgust, "Now it's a thunderstorm! We'll be alright as long as it doesn't go on too long!"
"I always enjoyed thunderstorms," Marilyn tells her, "I'd stay in bed with a good book, and if the electricity went out I'd light candles all over the room! It was elegant!"
"Well, we can hope today doesn't get too 'elegant' for you!" Eleanor replies as they reach the bookstore and park.

There are already people in the store holding copies of Marilyn's book when she and Eleanor arrive. They wink at each other as if to say, "is this a great success or what?!"
The bookstore owner, Pat Clydsdale, who hasn't met 'Sally Reynolds' yet, comes over and introduces herself. Marilyn and Eleanor do the same. Marilyn is getting used to being stared at, so when Pat is struck speechless, unable to take her eyes from MM's face, it's the usual reaction.
Marilyn positions herself behind the table set aside for the book signing and smiles up at the first person in line, a young woman with frizzy red hair. She signs 'Sally Reynolds' and the woman leaves.
Next in line is an obese woman who has not only purchased Marilyn's book, but about 20 others as well, plunks "Confessions of a Sex Goddess" down on the table, then leans on it for support. It lists to the right and would have toppled had Pat not run over and leaned on the other side. Whew! Close one!
MM signs her 'Sally' name and that woman waddles off.

The third person is an older, very distinguished gentleman with a grey mustache and beard, who examines Marilyn's face very closely.
"I saw you in 'The Misfits' and thought you were brilliant!" he compliments her as she signs his book.
Forgetting for a second that she isn't supposed to BE Marilyn Monroe, MM smiles and says "Thank you!" then realizes what she's done. She glances down at the open book that the man has yet to remove from in front of her, and sees that her signature says "Always, Marilyn"......gasps, tries to grab the book and substitute another, but he has grabbed it up and, looking at the signature, winks at her as he then departs.

Marilyn sends distress signals Eleanor's way, but El has no way of knowing the full extent of Marilyn's slip-up and just smiles back in an encouraging way.
The skies then open up. The thunder booms, the lightning crackles ominously. Pat hates to do this, but, getting everyone's attention, announces, "We'll have to close now, as the storm is getting very dangerous. Let's come back next week and Sally can sign the rest of the books."
That meets with approval, and the other people in line file out.
Eleanor and Marilyn gather their belongings and, waving a quick farewell, go out into the storm.
"This is a BAD one!" Eleanor yells to Marilyn as they run for the car.
They jump inside and high-tail it for home as fast as they can.


LAST PLANE TO RICHMOND.......by Terri


"Honey, do you know where my black boots are?" Billy Bob hollered from upstairs.
Rosamond climbed the stairs, pausing to rub her lower back. "Aren't they in the closet? If not, check under the bed."
Billy Bob pulled them out from under the bed. "Right again, hon. Look, you sure you are going to be OK by yourself here?"
"I'll be fine. Don't worry. I'll go shopping. Maybe have lunch with Bethia. She's probably going to announce her engagement any day now."
Billy Bob hugged Rosamond and said, "I guess you'll be OK. You aren't due for another six weeks. After all, this is the first week of April and you aren't due until the middle of May. Matt must be wrong. You aren't that big."
Rosamond smiled. "Most babies are late, I didn't know with Will because I was so young, I didn't really think I was pregnant until I was a few months along."
Billy Bob said, "I like having Will here on the weekends. He's a great little guy. If our baby is half as cute as him, I'll be satisfied. But with a mother like you, how could we go wrong?"
Ever since the trip to Court, Billy Bob had been more subdued. Maybe he feels I have no more secrets to hide from him, he feels more secure now. Little did he know about the secret meetings at the blue house. They had not been as frequent, with the winter and Billy Bob home more now. They met around John's schedule too. Sometimes Rosamond felt she was going to jump out of her skin if she didn't see John.
According to Eleanor, John was moodier and more monosyllabled than usual. She knew he was worried he wouldn't be the one to be there when the baby was born, that Billy Bob would be the one in the delivery room. Rose had to take the Lamaze classes with Billy Bob, after all he was her husband. Rose wanted no one but John with her.
Rose and John were very careful around Little Will. Four year olds were notorious for telling all they knew. Whenever Will mentioned 'Uncle John' Rosamond could see Billy Bob's jaw tighten. And their evenings were taken up at the Dew Drop Inn. Rose begged off when she could.
"Daniel is really going with you?" Rose said. "I can't believe you two are such good friends, considering..." Rose didn't finish the sentence.
Billy Bob smiled grimly. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
Rosamond said under her breath, 'Well, you and John should be joined at the hip.'
Billy Bob grabbed his leather jacket out of the closet. "What did you say, hon?"
"I said, "You should enjoy a sirloin tip--on account of Virginia has good food."
Billy Bob smiled and kissed the top of Rose's head. "You say the funniest things, babe." He stood back and looked at her. "Has that baby dropped? Seems to me he was up higher yesterday."
Rosamond said, "No, right where it should be. My back is sore though. I've been taking those prenatal classes at the gym with that personal trainer. I refuse to get out of shape for the baby. Besides, firm muscles makes for a faster delivery."
Billy Bob said, "I'm glad Matt finally ordered a sonogram for you. Baby has your nose but my mouth."
Rosamond thought, 'that's because you and Daniel have the Gwinnett mouth and chin.'
Rose said, "Do you ever think about you and Daniel being related?"
Billy Bob fiddled with his sleeve button. "Hmm? No, we don't think about it. Guess it's because Daniel has a 21st century mind."
Billy Bob grabbed his razor and shave cream. Rose leaned over the sink and watched him in the mirror. Darn it, he was so good-looking. If he wasn't, this would be so much easier. But then, I've always had good looking lovers. What am I saying? Rose blushed. Billy Bob said, "You feel OK, hon? Your face is flushed."
"I-I'm fine."
Billy Bob said, "When I was in Austin I called Grandpere Pierre. I told him about our marriage and the baby. He seemed pleased--about the child. He had quite a few words about you, though."
Rose bit her lip. "Did you tell him who I really am?"
Billy Bob said, "Get real. He'd cut me out of the will if he knew you passed him up for his great grandson." Then Billy Bob laughed. "Let the old guy have his fantasies!"

"Are you going to be able to fly to Richmond? The weather report doesn't look good."
"I'm leaving right now to pick up Daniel. If we leave in the next hour, we'll be OK. That storm is supposed to arrive in Richmond late this afternoon and move up the coast by tonight. Just make sure that Jack brings the horses in. Let's' see--today is Monday, I should be home by Thursday at the latest. I've filed a flight plan. Don't worry that pretty little head of yours, I've been flying for years now. We'll be there before the storm hits."

He grabbed his luggage and kissed Rosamond good-bye. He hugged her and said,
"Be a good little girl until I get home. You have Jameson's number and Bobby Joe's in case you need anything. Bobby Joe can be over here in twenty minutes."
With that he kissed her again and got in his truck. He headed towards Chappaqua to pick up Daniel.
Rosamond closed the door. Oooh, my back hurts. She thought that a hot bath would do her back some good. Loosen up the muscles. She switched on the weather channel.
"....a late season storm is blowing up the Eastern Seaboard. Planes will be grounded in two hours. Residents are cautioned to take whatever measures they need to be safe and comfortable. Restrict travel this evening...."
She turned off the weather and filled a tub, slipping into its warmth.


WE'RE HAVING A BABY, MY BABY & ME....by Terri


Eleanor and Marilyn ran into the house, dodging raindrops as big as cornflakes.
John and Bethia were sitting there drinking coffee.
Eleanor threw her coat down. "Well, I just saw Billy Bob and Daniel drive off. Wasn't this the day they were flying to Richmond and giving Rosamond some peace and quiet for a few days? Lord knows she needs it!"
John looked worriedly out the window. "That storm is going to come up fast by this evening. I'm sure the two of them can fly out allright. I'd better call Rosamond and see if she's OK by herself."
The girls all exchanged glances. Any excuse to call her!
John dialed her number.
"Hello?"
"Hey, honey, is the coast clear?"
"John! They left about an hour ago. The weather is too bad for me to meet you and I'm really achy and tired. Why don't you come over here? Juanita is off for the week and Jack is in his apartment over the stables. Park over in back and I will make you dinner."
"Rose, are you sure? Sounds a little risky to me."
"Well, it's too bad for me to go out, if you want to see me, it has to be here."
"All right then. Be there within the hour."
Joehn looked at the girls. "Don't wait up for me!" he winked.
Marilyn frowned. "Isn't he playing with fire, going over to Billy Bob's house? I mean, it IS Montgomery's house!"
Eleanor said "Don't worry about it. Montgomery and Daniel will be gone for a few days."
Bethia bit her lip. "This storm is really blowing up fast. They are predicting flooding and high winds. I hope John will make it out there alright."

John pulled near the back of the ranch. He barely got the car door shut when the wind began to really kick up. Just like that night at the beach house. He smiled.
He ran up the stairs, rang the bell. Rosamond flew open the door and kissed him.
"I made beef stew with fresh French bread. I even baked it myself. And a nice burgundy wine for you. I may have a sip myself!"
She led him to the living room. She had a nice fire going. Suddenly the lights went off.
"Looks like the electricity is out, Rosamond."
Rose went to the kitchen and came back with candles.
"The phone lines went down right after I talked to you." she said.
Suddenly they heard a crack. Both of them jumped a mile. "What was that?"
John went to the window. "Looks like that huge limb on that oak tree finally broke loose. Your driveway is blocked. Too bad! Guess I'll have to stay the night, I can't get my car out." He grinned.
Rosamond rubbed her back. "Does it ever ache!"
"Rosamond, is that baby lower?"
"Billy Bob said the same thing, no, the baby hasn't dropped. I'm not due for at least another four weeks."
They sat in front of the fire, eating beef stew and sipping wine. The wind whipped violently outside. There was a terrible popping noise.
"I'm so jumpy tonight! What was that now?"
John grabbed a flashlight and went out to the porch. He shone it over to the cars.
"Honey, I hate to tell you but there is a live wire down on your car. Can't do anything about it until tomorrow when the storm breaks."
Rosamond said, "Well, no electricity, no phones, no cars. We really ARE stranded!"
John looked at his watch. "It's 9:00 PM already. Rose, where shall we sleep? I mean, I feel funny going up....there!"
Rose laughed. "I understand!"
Rose stood up and then doubled over. "Ooooh, that hurts! This has been going on all day." She sat down again. Five minutes later, she moaned again.
John got a panicked look on his face. "Rose! All day long? Are you sure?"
"Yes, why? Oh, no you don't! This is not labor! It's too early!"
John looked concerned. "Rose, stand up and let me look at you. Yes, that baby has dropped. I think it's getting ready to be born."
Rose said, "Don't be ridicu---aaaahhh!" She bent over. "Oh, no! NO! NO! John, you have to get me to a hospital. Call Dr. Bidwell."
John picked up the house phone. "The line is dead, Rose. Where's your cellphone?"
"Out in my car. Ohhhhhh! The one with...."
"The one with the live wire on it?"
"That's the one!"
John pulled his out. Dead. "Aw, hell! I forgot to charge it last night."
John looked at Rose and she looked at him. "No phones, no vehicles, no electricity.
And I'm in....aaaaah!"
John had a worried look on his face. "Rose, cross your legs or something! I can't birth a baby! I didn't take the classes!"
Rosamond said, "Well, I can't do this by myself! I'm not a Chinese woman who can have it in the rice paddy and keep on picking! Get me into the bedroom. Maybe it will stop!"
John helped Rose up the steps and into the bed. "Maybe if you lay down, it wil stop, Rose..."
Rosamond moaned. "John, like it or not, I think this baby is coming tonight. You might as well stop a speeding train!"
John said sternly, "Rosamond, I forbid it! You can't do this. Think of something else! Think of baseball!"
Rosamond grabbed his collar and brought his face down to hers. "Face it, John!" she hissed. "This baby is coming. Here! Tonight!"
"But honey, it's four weeks at least away!"
Rose screamed. "THIS BABY DOESN'T KNOW WHAT WEEK IT IS!"
She grabbed John's hand. She looked at him with terrified eyes. "Please, John, I'm relying on you. Ohhhhh!"
John said, "OK, Rose, we're in this together. Ready, darling?"
She smiled weakly."Ready when you are, John."
John smiled tenderly at her, "OK, let's do it! We're gonna have this baby!"

For the next few hours, John helped her breathe and wiped her face down to cool her off. By 2:00 AM, the pain got unbearable.
"John, I'm not going to make it! If I die, take care of the baby and little Will."
"Hush, darling, you aren't going to die. I won't let you."
She started to cry. "I can't do this. I give up. I changed my mind. Ohhhhhh! I want Bethia and Eleanor here. They'd know what to do."
John soothed her. "Honey, I'm all you have."
Rosamond groaned. "John, I have to push!"
John said, "Rose, darling, I can see the head."
Rose pushed. The baby's head crowned and with two more pushes, John delivered their baby while the storm raged outside.
Rosamond lay back on the pillows in exhaustion. John held the baby.
"Rosamond, something is wrong, the baby won't cry!"
He slapped the baby's bottom and Rose heard a wail.
She looked at John with wonderment.
He smiled proudly and with love in his eyes. He had tears in his eyes.
"Darling, we have a fine healthy daughter!"
Rosamond reached out and touched the baby's hand. "Is--is she alright? Has she all her parts?" she whispered.
John said softly, "Two eyes, a nose, a tiny little mouth, ten fingers, ten toes. And the bluest eyes this side of heaven."
"Thank you, God." Rosamond whispered.
John wrapped the baby in a baby blanket that he had found in the nursery.
He gave the baby to Rosamond. She started to cry. "Oh, John, how perfect!"
John stood back and said solemnly, "I don't believe I have ever seen such a beautiful sight in all my life. The woman I love holding the little life we created."
The baby began to whimper. "I do believe she is hungry!" as she nursed the baby.
"John, you look exhausted."
John smiled. "Birthing babies is stressful. How are you, love?"
Rosamond smiled drowsily. "Completely fulfilled. Come, lay down next to me."
John stretched out and held the baby's hand. Her little finger curled around his.
"Rose, this just HAS to be my child. I feel it in my bones. And if it isn't....well, I couldn't love her any more than I do now."
Rose said softly, "You were with me, John. Just like we wanted it to be. You and me and no one else."
John reached out and stroked Rosamond's cheek. "You were magnificent." He kissed her tenderly.
John said, "I have to try to reach Roger somehow." He picked up the phone. Still dead.
Rosamond said, "Wait. Could it be possible? Check down in the study. By the desk. Billy Bob is always charging one phone while he takes the other. How could I possibly forget that?"
John said, "I guess you had other things on your mind."
John went down the stairs and came back a minute later with the phone.
"Honey, if we knew about this, you could have had Roger deliver the baby in a nice sterile hospital."
Rose said, "I wouldn't have traded this night for anything, darling."
Then he grew serious. "Rosamond, when are you going to call your husband? You have to tell him something--but what? I delivered our child in his bed."
Rose frowned. "Don't ruin the moment, John. I'll think of something."
The baby was asleep. John took her from Rosamond. "I think she needs to get in her own bassinet so her mommy can get some sleep."
Rosamond smiled. "And her daddy, too. You were wonderful, John."
"You were, too, my brave girl."

John called the big house. Eleanor answered the phone.
"Hello? Hello? Eleanor, can you hear me?.....It's an emergency, I am trying to find Roger. Rose delivered her baby here at the house tonight." John could barely keep the emotion out of his voice.
"Roger? Rosamond delivered tonight.....well, she delivered, I caught....the baby is fine, a little girl...Rose is fine, too...no, the wires are down here. Electrical and phone...the road is inaccessible, due to the oak tree in the road...I've got Billy Bob's cellphone here...can you come right away? I just want to make sure everything is alright...it's still storming here....can you call a tree man to get this out of the road? Tell him it's a medical emergency, I'm sure Montgomery has the insurance to pay for it....we'll be waiting for you...Rose is drifting off and the baby is asleep. She fed her..ok, see you as soon as possible. Thanks, Roger."
John looked over at Rosamond and she was fast asleep. He stroked the hair back from her face and kissed her tenderly. He stretched out next to her and soon he was fast asleep, his arm around her. Unfortunately, it was in Montgomery's bed.


__________________....by Coralynn

"At least we still have electicity," William comments as he puts out candles in various locations, "But how long that will last who can say, so I'm placing these candles and a couple hurricane lamps around. Oh yes, and take a flashlight, we have a bunch of them. You never know where you'll be if the electric goes out."
"Good thinking, William," Bethia agrees, "I'm wondering if Rose has power out at the godforsaken ranch she lives in. John left awhile ago, so he must be out there with her. That's a relief."
"It is as long as Billy Bob and Daniel got out of here before the worst of the storm hit," Eleanor adds, "But if he didn't, and he has to return home, all hell could break loose."
"I don't even want to think about it!" Marilyn shudders. Marthy says with concern, "Jack lives out there, too, doesn't he? That's not good. We should get him back. I don't like the idea of him caught in this mess."
"When Billy Bob gets back from his trip, I think we ought to insist he return Jack," William decides.

The doorbell rings.
Eleanor goes to the door to find Roger standing there, dripping wet.
Bethia hurries over and pulls him inside. "You poor man, didn't you bring your raincoat?"
He stands inside the door, a puddle forming at his feet. "It's in the trunk, of all the stupid places for me to have put it!"
Bethia hands him some towels and asks, "Anybody have some dry clothes Roger can wear? William, your stuff would hang on him, and John is out at the ranch.....but his clothes would fit you. Wait right here while I go up and get some." She disappears up the stairs.
"John is out at the Montgomery ranch?" Roger is confused, "Isn't that enemy territory?"
"Billy Bob and Daniel went to Richmond for a horse auction," Eleanor fills him in.
Bethia reappears with some of John's clothes and directs Roger to the bathroom to change, though she continues to talk with him through the door.
"John left a couple hours ago!" she yells.
A muffled response is heard, then Roger comes back out of the bathroom.
"I'm concerned about Rose. She could be close to delivery. Let me phone out there." he dials the number that Bethia holds in front of him.
"DRAT! Phone lines must be down out there!" he hangs up in disgust.
"I hear congratulations are in order!" William extends his hand to Roger, "Welcome to the madhouse! Where will you and Bethie be living?"
"I'm selling the place in Manhattan, in fact I have a potential buyer right now and it's looking good. See that house across the steet here, just a couple doors down to the right?"
Everyone goes to the living room window and peers out. The rain is so heavy they can barely see the outline of the house Roger is indicating.
"If the sun ever comes out again, it'll be easier to see," Roger chuckles, "I put in a bid on that house so that Beth can be close to her friends. I was due for a change anyway!"

Bethia adds, "And I can run my business from there, just like I do from here. And, believe me, I'll be over here a lot. You'll get sick of the sight of me!"
Roger gives her a hug as she smiles up at him.
"Never get tired of seeing your lovely face," William insists, "Once family, always family!"
Roger goes to the coffee maker and pours a cup. "You are like family, all of you, and I, for one, wouldn't want to live anywhere else! Where else can you find "family" who can take you to the French Revolution? No family I've ever met!"
Everyone laughs, but it's cut short by the phone ringing.
Eleanor dives for it, with Bethia right on her heels.
"HELLO! I can hardly hear you!! John?? What's happening? Oh my GOD. Roger is here, you're in luck!" she passes the phone to Roger.
"What is it, John?.........She did?.........you did?.........the baby's fine, you say?.........Listen, as soon as the storm passes, even if it's the middle of the night, I'll drive out. Wires down?.......tree blocking the road?.........what phone are you using anyway?........Billy Bob left his cellphone?........that was a lucky break.........OK, don't run down the battery on it.......I'll wait up and when the roads look passable come out and take Rose to the hosital for a checkup for her and the baby.........OK, bye."
By now everyone else is jumping around nervously, dying to hear the news.
"OK, everyone, sit down...here's the deal. John went out to the ranch, as you know, and Rose went into labor. She and John delivered the baby, a nice healthy baby girl....but there's a tree down blocking the entrance to the ranch, and their electricity is out. A live downed power line is lying across Rose's car. Now, I can go out there just as soon as that tree is moved and the rain lets up enough for me to see more than 2 feet in front of my face. I'll wait up till then."

"I'LL wait up with you," Bethia tells him.
"Can I wait with you?" Eleanor asks. She doesn't want to intrude on the newly engaged couple should they prefer to be alone.
"Absolutely," Roger answers.
"I want to wait, too!" Marilyn adds her voice.
"ME too!" Marthy chimes in.
William is tired, but if everyone else is waiting up....."Count me in!" he decides aloud.
They sit and wait quietly, checking the time every few minutes, nervously looking out the window, hoping the storm abates.
Marthy turns to Bethia, "Are they rescheduling the fasion show?"
"Next week," Bethia answers, "I'm so glad we didn't drive into Manhattan today; we might be there still and miss out on all this!"
An hour goes by. The storm seems weaker. Another hour goes by. The storm looks about over.
"I can actually see the street lights now," Marthy comments, "This is a good sign, yes?"
"I can also see the sun coming up over there," Bethia points to the east, "It'll be daybreak in a minute or so. Yes! The storm is over. What you see now are the drips of rain falling off the trees. See? But look out in the street! No more real rain hitting it!"
"I'll call a hauling truck and go out and have that tree moved and the electric company told me a couple hours ago that they'd be out in that area restoring power and repairing power lines about daybreak, which, thank Heaven, it is!"

Everyone is almost numb from having stayed up all night, but relieved, so relieved.
Roger calls for the truck.
It arrives and he gives the driver the instructions, then he and Bethia get into his car and both vehicles drive toward the ranch as the sun breaks through the foliage.

As they approach the ranch, the hauling truck is edging the tree out of the road. Roger gives the driver a thumbs-up and proceeds up the driveway to the ranch.
"No sign of Montgomery, so I assume he made it to Richmond!" he announces happily, "He's all we'd need!"
"Amen to that!"
They park and approach the house. They ring the bell and wait and wait and wait.
"They could still be asleep," Bethia suggests.
"With a newborn baby? Well, I suppose, but babies are notorious for keeping you up nights!" Roger smiles, "We may be able to find that out for ourselves before too long."
"Sounds wonderful to me!" Bethia says just as the door opens and they see John standing there holding a bundle of baby blanket.
"Glad you got here! See?" he holds the blanket out to them as they enter and close the door. Inside the bundle is a delicate baby with the longest fingers and bluest eyes either of them had ever seen.
"What a porcelain little treasure she is!" Bethia says as she reaches out to hold the baby. "Is Rose still asleep? She had a big night!!"

They hear a voice from upstairs, and soon see Rosamond standing in her robe, ready to descend the staircase.
"Stay there!" Roger instructs her, "Going up and down stairs isn't good for a new mother. We'll come up!"
Everyone congreates at the top of the stairs and the baby is handed to Rose.
"I never saw such a beautiful baby!" Bethia says in wonderment.
"Looks like a winner to me!" Roger agrees, "but, even though both of you look fine, I need to take you to the hospital for a routine checkup just to make sure and get it on the record. Can you get dressed?"
"Sure can!" Rosamond is gleeful, "I'm not that worn out!" she goes into the bedroom, John joins her and soon they come out dressed and ready to go.

As predicted, both mother and baby are given a clean bill of health at the hospital.
Following procedure, Rosemond is required to fill out birth certificate information, and sitting with the paper in front of her, she frowns.
Roger picks up on her problem. "You have to put Montgomery's name in as the baby's father, because you're married to him, Rose. I know you'd rather not, but there's no way around it."
She sighs and puts Billy Bob's name down on the paper.
"Name?" she asks, looking at John for guidance.
"My mother's name was Julia. But Julie sounds more modern."
Rosamond writes that in.
"Hmmmm, middle name? I know......Beth. There, Julie Beth Montgomery. It should be Julie Beth Gwinett, but I did a stupid thing and married BB. I should have my head examined." she looks distressed.
Then she looks up at Bethia and tells her, "Beth is short for Bethia, you know!"
Bethia tears up. Roger puts his arm around her.
The paperwork is turned in and carefully they all get back into Roger's car.
"Where to, madame?" he asks Rosamond.
"To the Big House!" she answers enthusiastically, "I want to show Little Will his baby sister!"

Eleanor sees them drive in and, throwing on her coat, rushes out to greet them.
"ROSE!" she is beside herself, "Ohhhhh, can I hold the baby?" she takes the baby from Rose and starts back into the house.
"Looks like a keeper to ME!" she exclaims as the others make their way inside. "In other words, can I keep her?" which produces laughter from everyone.
Rose sits on one of the plush couches that she herself chose less than two years before, and, as she sinks down, down, down into the soft leather, smiles, remembering.

Little Will comes running out of his room. He sees Rose and goes to her, hugging and kissing her.
"I brought you a baby sister," Rose tells him, "Do you want to see?"
"YES! OH YES!" Little Will is excited and, as Eleanor hands the baby back to Rose, the boy examines the little face closely.
"Isn't she a pretty little sister?" Bethia asks him.
"She's pretty! And she has a little dent in her chin just like Uncle John!"
The others all look more closely, and sure enough, the chin has an indentation, exactly like John's.
Will keeps looking at the baby, then announces, "She has the little dent in her ear just like Uncle John's, too!"
Sure enough, the part of the ear that folds around the outside has a very pronounced irregularity.

John takes Roger aside and whispers, "Daniel doesn't have that on either of his ears. It's one of the only ways our parents could tell us apart, and then only when they could see us close up. What'd'ya think?"
"I think the baby is yours, but we'll have to wait for the results of the DNA test. But right now it looks promising."
"Glad you thought of having that done before we left the hospital, Roger. In all the excitement, I know I would have forgotten."
"It'll be a few weeks before we have the results, but, sadly, that won't change Montgomery's status as the child's legal parent."
"I know."


ANOTHER LIMB BUT ON WHOSE FAMILY TREE? ......by Terri

John said to Roger, "I'd rather Rose not know about the DNA test yet. I don't want to unduly upset and worry her. She's pretty well convinced the baby is mine. I just need to make sure. It doesn't change the way I feel about her, but legally down the road, I may need this. Especially where Daniel is concerned."
William came in the room, gruffly and trying not to show any emotion.
"Well, Rose, here we are! We are here because you said, 'I am with child!' Do you have anything to say about this?"
Rose stood up solemnly and said, "Yes, I do, William. Something I have been wanting to say to you for a very long time."
She threw her arms around William and said, "Thank you! Thank you for the magic coin and making a mistake and bringing John and Bethia here. Thank you for giving me the love of my life." She smiled lovingly at John.
She picked up the baby. "Now, William, hold out your hands."
William blustered, "Rose, I'd rather not!"
But Rose had laid the baby in William's arms. His heart tumbled like a pile of bricks.
He said softly, "My God, this is the most beautiful child I have ever seen."
And Rose said, "And you are responsible for it!"
William panicked, "Hey, Rose, there is NO WAY you are pinning this on me!"
Everyone laughed. William sat down and rocked. He wouldn't relinquish the child, even to Eleanor.
Jerry knocked at the door. Eleanor threw it open. "We have a baby! We have a baby!" Jerry came in and shook John's hand and then realized what he had done.
"I'm sorry, John, I just assumed..."
John smiled proudly. "I delivered her." and Roger related the story to Jerry. "Not to be a wet blanket, but what are you going to tell your husband, Rosamond?" Bethia asked her privately.
"I am going to tell him I delivered the baby myself. And alone. I have no choice, Bethia. Make this baby an orphan? I can't risk it."
Bethia said, "I went to your house and gathered some of your things. It's now Tuesday and Billy Bob and Daniel are not due back until Wednesday night at the earliest. Won't you please stay with us and let us take care of you?"
Rosamond smiled wickedly,. "You mean take care of little Julie, don't you?"
Bethia said, "I may want to get used to it! By the way, when I got back to your ranch, the live wire was off your car and so I got this out of there. This way you will be accessible to HIM and he won't know where you are."
Rosamond said, "Thanks, Bethia. You are marvelous."
"Well, your room is exactly as you left it. Maybe you and John would like to spend some time there. Return to the scene of the crime!" She giggled.
Everyone was fussing over the baby. Rosamond said, "If you don't mind, I'd like to go upstairs and take a nap for about an hour. I am just drained! Julie is sleeping so she shouldn't bother anyone. If she wakes up and cries, come and get me!"
Little Will said, "I will, Mummy! I'm her big brother now and I will take care of her!"
Rosamond stroked his head. "Thank you, Will. I knew I could depend on you."
John said to Bethia, "I'm tired, too, I think I will go upstairs with Rosamond and get some sleep. Do me a favor, keep the 'informer' down here with you. It wouldn't do for him to tell his stepfather that Uncle John and Mummy were in bed together!"
Bethia laughed. "Will do!"
Rosamond stretched out on the bed with John next to her. It wasn't long before he fell asleep. As Rosamond started to drift off, her cellphone rang.
Drowsily she said, "Hello?"
"Sugah, it's me. You survive the storm OK? I was worried about you."
Rosamond bolted upright. "Billy Bob! I--I've got some news for you but don't get upset. I--I had the baby last night."
"YOU WHAT? WHERE? HOW?.....I tried all night to get hold of you. The phone was busy."
"The lines were down. I went into labor and the cellphone was in the car, but an electrical line went over it. I had the baby by myself, William."
There was silence at the other end. "I don't believe it."
Rosamond snapped. "Well, BELIEVE IT! It's a wonder I am still alive."
Billy Bob said, "Oh, Rose, I am so sorry--wait a minute. You weren't due to deliver until the middle of May. You were six weeks early?"
Rose sighed. "I finally found your cellphone but by then I was too far gone. I couldn't find Matt Underwood's number so I called Dr Bidwell--and don't give me any crap!
He came out and picked me up and took me to the hospital. Aren't you the least bit anxious on what we had? Or is that immaterial to you?" she snapped.
"Oh, darling, I'm so sorry. What? WHAT? What did we have?"
Rose said, "A girl, five and a half pounds and pretty as a picture. Bluest eyes you ever saw."
Billy Bob sounded pleased. "Like mine! I'm flying out right now!"
Rosamond said, "No, don't do that. You'll be home tomorrow night, anyhow. What can you do here now?"
Billy Bob said quietly, "I can see our child. OUR child, Rosamond."
Rosamond said, "I filled out the birth certificate, William. Don't panic, your name is on it as father."
"Damn well better be. What did you put down for her name?"
"Julie. Julie Beth Montgomery."
Billy Bob said, "I like it. I really do. Are you OK? Is anyone there with you at the ranch?"
Rosamond hesitated for half a second. "My friend Bethia came out."
Billy Bob said, "Daniel and I will be in by tomorrow afternoon. If not sooner. I love you. And I am so sorry I wasn't there for you. Damn, darling, we were supposed to bring this child into the world together."
Rosamond said, "I'm so tired, Bill. Let me rest and I will talk to you later."
She hung up the phone.
John mumbled, "Honey, who was on the phone?"
Rosamond said softly, "Only the legal father of our baby, John."
He was still asleep when he said, "ummm, that's nice..."

Billy Bob went back to his seat at the auction. He hurried over to Daniel and said,
"Rose had the baby last night. By herself. Six weeks premature. A girl, 5.5 lbs."
Billy Bob was grinning. He and Daniel high fived each other as both of them said in unison, "HOT DAMN! I'M A FATHER!"

Billy Bob passed out cigars at the Cattleman's Club, an exclusive cattle baron's club. Everyone was congratulating him. Someone asked what the baby's name was.
Billy Bob said, "Julie Beth Montgomery."
Daniel said, "That's odd. My mother's name is Julia."
You could cut the silence with a knife.


BETHIA, Real Estate Mogul........by Coralynn

Jerry's phone rings, "Hello, Jerry Palmer here!" he answers.
"Hi, Jerry, it's Beth. I saw a For Sale sign out in front of that big old house at 168 Elmwood Drive. Can we go over and look at it? I'm thinking of buying another house and making it into apartments or flats. Yeah........OK........see you at 3, then."
She checks her watch. It's a bit after 2. Good. Time to finish up the last of her summer dress designs. Marthy looks fantasic in the dresses, too, which is funny, considering the rags the poor girl wore back in the 12th century. Marthy is having the time of her life being in fashion shows, why, you would think she was born on the runway! Bethia smiles.

At 3, she and Jerry enter the house that's for sale over on Elmwood Avenue. She looks around and sees a place that's structurally sound, but needs a lot of painting. No problem. Even the basement is dry, which, considering the recent storm, is a great sign.
"I'll take it!" she tells Jerry.
"You're a fast mover, Beth. Smart, too. This place is a steal. Let's go back to my office and draw up the paperwork for your bid on it. How much are you willing to pay?"
"The asking price, of course," she informs him.
"No haggling? You know, haggling is a venerated procedure in real estate."
"No haggling, Jerry. The price is fair and God knows I can afford it, so let's go back to your office and BUY this puppy!"
Jerry laughs as they get back in his car and pull away from the curb.


HONEY, I'M HOME!!!!.....by Terri

Rosamond gathered her things together. John said, "Rosamond, please, let me take you back to the ranch. I want to spend as much time with you and Julie as I can."
Rosamond shook her head. "It's too risky, John. He knows Bethia is with me, so if by any chance he is home before me, I can tell him I went to the doctor or some such excuse."
John sighed. "I hate this, Rose. I just HATE it. Now I'll have Daniel to contend with, all puffed up and thinking that little princess is his."
Rose kissed him. "We know better, don't we, John? I'm glad you got Jerry to go out there and pick up your car." She sighed. "Now I have to put up with all sorts of questions from my husband."
She loaded her things in Bethia's car. Bethia came down the stairs, holding the baby.
"Are you all set, Rose?"
Rose looked grim. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Billy Bob landed the plane expertly at Chappaqua airport. It had been a smooth flight home. Daniel slept most of the way. As the plane taxied down the runway, Billy Bob said, "Can't wait to get home to Rosamond. And see the baby."
Daniel said, "I'm sure it is a co-incidence that the baby is named Julie. From what I understand, Rose hasn't seen John since that awards ceremony in October."
Billy Bob said, "Yeah, I made sure of that." Daniel looked at him quizzically.
"How did you do that?"
Billy Bob's mouth was set grimly. "I used good old fashioned persuasion. Told her it was in John's best interest."
They tied the plane down in the hangar and headed for Billy Bob's truck in the parking lot. He drove Daniel home.
Daniel got out and said, "Talk to you in a few days."
Billy Bob burned out of the driveway and headed home.
Daniel knocked on the kitchen door. Eleanor answered, "What do you want, Daniel?"
Daniel smiled. "Just a few answers, El. Do you mind if I come in?"
Eleanor said, "Yes, I do mind but I suppose we'd better get this over with."
Daniel stepped inside. Eleanor asked reluctantly, "Do you want some coffee?"
Daniel said, "That would be great, El. I really miss your coffee." He sat down.
"Well, if you weren't such a jackass with Rosamond, you may have become a productive member of this household."
"I'm sorry. She just pushed my buttons the way she looked at John. I wanted her to look at me that same way."
Eleanor sighed. "You can't stick your nose into something that you don't understand, Daniel. And you would never be able to understand the history of the two of them.
OK, what are your questions? I will answer as honestly as I see fit."
Daniel took a drink of his coffee. "Who does the baby look like?"
"Rosamond."
"Is she perfect? I mean, is she beautiful?"
"She is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. Delicate. She has hair. Blue eyes.
Small nose, tiny mouth."
"Did Rosamond really deliver that baby all by herself?"
"She was ready to give birth and called Roger to come out. By the time he got there, she had just delivered. He took her to the hospital, everything checked out fine."
"What is the baby's name?"
"Julie."
"I know that, what is the full name?"
"Julie Beth Montgomery."
"Not Gwinnett?"
"Why should it be?"
"Oh, come on, El. You know darn well that baby's paternity is in question. Is she my baby or John's?"
"The baby's legal father is William Robert Montgomery. No more questions, Daniel."
Daniel got up. "Thanks, Eleanor, for being so honest. I appreciate it."
Eleanor closed the door behind him.

Bethia pulled out of the driveway, waving to Rosamond. She stopped at the end of the driveway and Billy Bob pulled up beside her. He rolled down his window.
"Hello, Ms Adams. Nice to see you again."
Bethia said, "Hi, Mr. Montgomery. I just dropped some casseroles off for you and Rosamond."
"I appreciate everything you have done for Rose and the baby. I can't wait to see them."
Bethia smiled at him, feeling like a traitor to John but hey, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. "They are both wonderful. I know you are anxious to go in so...goodbye."
Billy Bob parked his truck and hurried into the house.
"Honey? I'm home!"
"In here!"
He walked in and saw Rosamond sitting in the rocker nursing the baby. She had on her rose-colored robe.
Billy Bob stood there awestruck. Rosamond smiled and said, "Well, aren't you going to say hi to the baby?"
Billy Bob tiptoed over to her. "I can't believe it! She is so AWESOME!"
The baby stirred. Rose said, "Would you like to hold her? She won't break."
"I-I don't know, sugah. Are you sure it's OK?"
Rosamond got up and said, "If you're nervous, sit down. Here. Now hold out your hands."
Gently she put Julie in Billy Bob's hands. He looked at her tenderly. "What blue eyes! They are almost turquoise. And what little hands! Looks like she' s going to have her daddy wrapped around her finger."
At this, Rosamond felt like saying, she already does.
"She looks like you, Rosamond. Especially the eyes and nose. But she has my mouth. And that chin with that little dimple! Wow, that is uniquely hers! Must be a recessive gene!" He gazed at her in wonder.
"Rose, honey, reach into my jacket pocket."
She reached in and pulled out a jewelry box. It was old. She looked up at Billy Bob with a questioning look on her face.
"It's an old southern tradition. Firstborns in the family rate a gift of jewelry. Something to do with eternity and perpetuity. This was my great grandmother's."
Rose opened it and gasped. Inside were earrings of sapphire and diamonds.
"Oh...oh, William...I can't. I just can't. These are your family's."
Billy Bob looked at her. "You earned it, darling. You gave me a child. A firstborn to carry on the Montgomery name. Next time, a boy. And I don't want to wait too long."
"Give me a break, William. I just gave birth less than two days ago."
"So didn't you know you were in labor? Why did you wait so long?"
"I couldn't remember Dr. Underwear's phone number and so I called Bethia. She's engaged to Dr.Bidwell now. Fortunately he was there but the storm delayed him. By the time he arrived at 2:00 AM, I had just had her. He took me to the hospital and we both checked out OK. So Bethia came and stayed with me until about an hour ago."
"I know, I just passed her in the road. She's a nice size. No complications from being so early?"
"Dr. Bidwell says she's A-OK and the prettiest baby he has ever seen."
"I want to see the birth certificate."
"Why? Don't you trust me?"
He just looked at Rosamond.
"I just want to be sure my name is on the certificate."
"Well, who else would be on?"
Billy Bob sighed. "Let's not get into that again."
"Is Daniel still insisting the baby is his?"
"In a matter of speaking. I just want to cover all my bases." He held out his hand.
"The certificate, please, Rosamond."
"I don't have the certified copy. I have a copy of the application. I can't believe you!"
She stormed off and got the application out of her purse. She threw it in his hand.
"HERE! SEE? MONTGOMERY! SATISIFIED NOW? OH, and one other thing, darling.....WELCOME HOME!"
She took the baby and went upstairs and slammed the door.
Billy Bob grinned and lit up a cigar. He scanned the certificate application. Yep...
Sundown Plantation will be mine. Signed, sealed and delivered. Thank you, Rosamond darlling.

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