Well, the need to dominate and micro-manage definitely fell under the second heading.
Ironic, the way life worked out. Stephen was finally getting his father's approval. And thanks to his counseling sessions and some overwhelming support from his family, he no longer needed it to feel good about himself.
The gambling, the self-doubts, the despondency— those were part of the old Stephen.
As for the new Stephen, damn, he was happy.
"Are you sorry you accepted Harrison's offer?" Nancy was asking. "Between your own networking contacts and all the corporate referrals Connor's sent your way, you're swamped. You certainly don't need the work."
Stephen shook his head. "Not at all. I'm actually looking forward to the challenge. This acquisition's not just a big one, it's a delicate one. It's going to take some major finessing to make it happen without stepping on too many toes." Another wry grin. "Guess I didn't retire from politics after all. Anyway, between some well-placed diplomacy and hours of good, old-fashioned hard work, I think Cliff and I have the collective smarts to pull it off."
Nancy shot him a quizzical look. "I notice that you and Cliff have been enjoying your collaborations lately. You're not just going through the motions anymore. It's getting better, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is. Our friendship's getting back on track." Stephen kissed the bridge of her nose. "Of course, it helps that you and I are rock-solid again. And that Cliff and Robin are so tight. Because if he ever looked twice at you again, I'd have to punch his lights out."
"He won't. He's in a good place emotionally, at long last. He's found someone who reciprocates his feelings. So I'm no longer in the picture. Not that I ever was. My heart's always been right here." She pressed her palm against Stephen's shirt, directly over his heart.
A tender look. "Lucky me."
"Lucky us."
Stephen released his breath on a contented sigh. "It doesn't get any better than this. I've got everything I want, plus a memorable Valentine's Day gift waiting in the wings." An awed gleam lit his eyes. "Talk about new beginnings. I'm more than lucky, I'm blessed. With all that going for me, I can afford to be charitable when it comes to Cliff."
"They're here!" Brian's shriek interrupted his parents' conversation and startled three gulls hovering outside the observation deck into taking flight. "They're landing!"
"Sure are," Stephen agreed, watching as his brother's jet touched the ground, then glided down the runway and came to a graceful halt. He stood, gripping Nancy's hand and tugging her to her feet as he waved Brian on. "Come on, champ. We're the welcome party. It's time to do our stuff."
"Yeah!" Brian needed no second invitation. He shot by his parents, destination ground floor.
* * *
Julia and Connor had only gotten halfway across the field when Brian burst out of the building and flew at them, slamming into his uncle like a small freight train.
"Finally!" he panted, regaining his balance. "We've been waiting and waiting!"
"Hey, champ!" Connor grabbed his nephew under the arms and swung him around, then plopped him onto his feet with an exaggerated stagger and a groan. "You weigh a ton. I think you grew more muscles and at least an inch over the summer."
"I did." Brian gave a proud, emphatic nod. "Mom's complaining that I'll be growing out of my new uniform by Halloween, and I just got it last week. Wait till you see it. It's so cool." He didn't pause to breathe but whipped around to Julia. "Thanks for the rabbit's foot, Miss Talbo—" A crooked grin lit his face. "I mean, Aunt Julia. It worked great. I pitched two no-hitters and a shut-out in my summer baseball league."
"Congratulations." Julia bent to give Brian a hard hug. "We missed you. I can't wait to see your new uniform and that new fast ball you told me about on the phone. Is there a game this Saturday?"
"Yup. The last one of the summer. And I'm pitching."
"Then we're coming," Connor informed him. He raised his head, smiling as Stephen and Nancy approached them, walking hand-in-hand.
"Welcome home," Stephen greeted them, kissing Julia's cheek. "You both look fantastic." A teasing look at his brother. "Not very tan, though."
"You know Europe," Connor replied, straight-faced. "It rains a lot."
"Right. In Hawaii, too, I'll bet. Especially inside those five-star hotels "
"Cut it out." Nancy laughed, hugging each of the newlyweds in turn. "Don't pay any attention to him."
"I never do," Connor assured her.
"You both look fabulous," Nancy declared, taking in the gleam in Connor's eyes and the glow on Julia's cheeks. "Marriage agrees with you."
"We're not the only ones it agrees with," Julia replied with a twinkle. "You look so happy, all of you." She gazed at Brian, filled with relief and delight. He was Brian again.
"You said you had a big surprise," he was now reminding his uncle.
"Did I?" Connor pursed his lips in feigned contemplation.
"Yeah. When you talked to Dad before, you said he should tell me you were bringing home a big surprise."
"Hmm. I must have been talking about all the souvenirs and presents we bought you."
"No." Brian shook his head. "You told Dad it wasn'l that kind of present. You said it was something you'd tell us when you got off the plane. What is it?"
"Oh, that surprise." Connor snapped his fingers. He turned to Julia, gave her a lazy smile. "Do you want to tell him, or should I?"
She smiled back, then leaned over to meet Brian's curious gaze. "Actually, the surprise means a new job and lots of help from you."
"Huh?"
"Your Uncle Connor and I were hoping you'd make room at next summer's baseball games for one more spectator. A very small one, mind you, but one who'll yell really loudly, I'm sure. We're also hoping you'll give that spectator some curve-ball lessons in a few years— when he or she is old enough to pitch."
Brian's face fell. "How'd you know?"
"Know what?"
"About the baby."
Julia started, and her head came up. She and Connor exchanged stunned looks.
"A better question is, how did you know?"Connor demanded.
"Mom and Dad told me two weeks ago." Brian looked utterly deflated. "But they said I could be the one to tell you." He glanced quizzically at his father, his expression rife with disappointment. "Dad, why'd you tell?"
"I didn't," Stephen countered, realization dawning in his eyes. "Neither did Mom."
All four adult Stratfords stared at one another.
"Why do I get the feeling we're talking about two different babies?" Connor noted aloud.
"Because we are," Stephen confirmed.
"You're pregnant?" Julia turned to Nancy, excitement lacing her tone.
"Yes." Her sister-in-law grinned, laying a palm on her abdomen. "Almost four months. I'm due on Valentine's Day." A questioning lift of her brows. "And you?"
"We just found out," Julia acknowledged with a joyous nod. "I'll be confirming my due date with the doctor tomorrow. But I'd estimate it to be the first week in April."
One moment, they were all standing there, gaping at the unexpected and wonderful coincidence. Then they were hugging and congratulating, laughing about the timing, marveling at the fact that by next summer, there would be two new Stratfords to expand the family circle.
"Dad might just crack a smile when you give him your news," Stephen predicted, slapping his brother on the back. "He came damned close when Nancy and I made our announcement. And now a third grandchild, right on the heels of a second? I think his pride actually might exceed his desire to see this splashed across the newspapers."
"Maybe." Connor wiggled his palm back and forth in a gesture that said the jury was still out on that one. "But let's not get our hopes up." He clapped a congratulatory hand on Stephen's shoulder. "This is great I'm so thrilled for you guys."
"Same here."
"Hey, Dad." Brian interrupted the excitement to tug at his father's sleeve. "Does this mean I'm getting a brother or sister and
a cousin, too?"
"Yeah, Bri, it sure does."
"Then I'll be a big brother and a big cousin, almost all at once."
Nancy and Julia laughed. "That's exactly what you'll be," his mother verified.
Brian stood up a little straighter, his forehead creased as he considered his new and crucial role. "Aunt Julia, your dad's a teacher, too. Does he get summers off like you do?"
Puzzled by the surprising change in subject, Julia replied, "Unless he teaches summer school, yes, he's off for most of the summer. Why?"
Intently, Brian counted on his fingers. "Okay, then, six or seven summers from now, do you think he could not teach summer school? Because you and I could sure use the help."
"The help?"
"Yeah," Brian explained patiently. "We're gonna have two kids to teach a curve ball to. And both of them might not be as good as you and me. So we better get your dad's help. We better sign him up now. The way the Yanks sign up their coaches when they want to keep them around. That way, he'll be all ours when the time comes."
Laughter bubbled up in Julia's throat, and she gave Brian the thumbs-up. "That's a great idea. We'll call him today and offer him a long-term contract. I'll bet it won't take much arm twisting."
Brian beamed. "I'll bet not."
"You know," Connor pointed out with a grin, "if you, Aunt Julia, and her dad are going to be coaches, you'll need a bullpen to practice in. I've got a great spot in mind for setting one up. It's on a tract of land big enough for a private bullpen, a playing field, and a couple of bleachers. Of course, the land won't be ready until spring, but then again, Aunt Julia won't be able to pitch until then, anyway."
"Really?" Brian was practically vibrating with excitement. "Where?"
"That's part two of the surprise we brought home to tell you. I'm building a new house for Aunt Julia, our baby, and me. It'll be only a few minutes away from your house. We've got tons of property, more than enough to make a clearing for all your baseball needs. What do you think?"
"Wow!" Brian gave an enthusiastic leap. 'That's the best!" He whirled around to race his rather. "Now I know why you said what you did to Mom. You were right!"
Stephen looked blank. "I'm glad. But what did I say to Mom that I was right about?"
"You said Aunt Julia was the best thing that ever happened to Uncle Connor. And, boy, is she ever!"
The whole group laughed.
"You know something, Brian?" Connor wrapped a possessive arm around his new wife, gazing at her with an emotion he'd only just discovered and couldn't imagine living without. "I couldn't agree more."
* * * THE END * * *
Andrea Kane, No Way Out
(Series: # )
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