Lady in Red Pt. 02 Ch. 13

Paula was surprised by the intensity and sincerity shown by Steve. She stepped close and wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly as tears trickled down her cheeks.

"This is my mother, Paula, hugging my boyfriend, Steve," came a voice from the doorway. "You seldom find a mother that approves of her daughter's boyfriend more than Mom does, even when his face is all kinds of colors and he has more stitches than Frankenstein."

Steve turned his head to see a smiling Gwen in the doorway with a woman he had never met before. He was caught off guard when Paula looked up and kissed him hard on the lips.

"Your mother has a lot of good reasons for approving of your boyfriend," replied Paula as she released Steve and turned to face Gwen. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"Not at all, Mom," responded a surprised Gwen. "You're always trying to act like you don't think Steve's the sexiest man alive. What's changed? This is Mandy. She didn't have any place to go for the holiday, so I invited her to come home with me. Imagine how embarrassing it is for her to find my mother in my boyfriend's arms. She's probably scandalized."

"Actually, I think it's great that your mother is so beautiful and that she's so fond of your boyfriend. But then, he's Steve Hammer. My mom would be in his arms in a flash if she had the chance," chuckled Mandy. "I hope I'm not intruding, but when Gwen invited me, I couldn't refuse. I'm spending Thanksgiving with the Andersons and Steve Hammer, along with Jordan Quick and Charlie Burns! I'll have something cool to tell my grandkids, which, by the way, will also be Steve's grandkids if I have anything to say about it."

"You should wait for a proper introduction before you start any babies with the guy," replied Gwen sarcastically. "Mandy's in my class at med school. She's really smart. She helps Charlotte and me with our studies quite a lot."

"She was with you the night I climbed into the hot tub while I was talking to you on Skype, wasn't she?" asked Steve as he recalled that evening. "I recognize that laugh. She was laughing at me!"

"It wasn't anything that I saw! I can promise that," responded Mandy quickly. "Remember that I'm studying to be a doctor and know a superior specimen when I see one. I was laughing at the surprised look on Donna's face. For a med student, she seemed quite flustered."

"Donna was there with us," added Gwen. "She did seem to be a little flushed when you climbed into the tub. Are you going to greet me a little more warmly? Mom didn't make you forget about me, did she?"

"If anyone could, it would be your mom, or your sisters," responded Steve as he swept Gwen into his arms and kissed her passionately.

"It was a long flight. Maybe you and Steve need a little nap, or something, to get refreshed," suggested Mandy as she watched Steve and Gwen interact. "No one would blame you. Quite the opposite."

"That's a great idea, but I'm a better hostess than that," assured Gwen. "I thought we'd all go down to Marsh's Landing and get a nice dinner. I called Kate and she's getting everyone at Mom's place ready to go. Jordan and Charlie will be there, too. Let's go eat."

Mandy had never seen anything like it. Gwen and Steve were greeted with hugs and good humored kidding by the other diners, but she also noticed a certain reverence everyone held for the couple. The pride the patrons of the restaurant felt in being recognized and addressed by Steve and Gwen was quite apparent. Sparta belonged to the power couple. Mandy had no doubt of that.

She had become rather good friends with Gwen and had been extremely proud of that fact, but she was just beginning to see the charisma the couple seemed to radiate when they were together. The entire entourage of family and friends, which included quite a few accomplished men and women, followed the lead of Gwen and Steve. Mandy quickly determined that they were the nucleus of the unit.

As they were eating dinner, Stephanie managed to gain everyone's attention as she made some interesting announcements. "I have Jordan, Charlie, Gwen, and Steve signed up to do a Christmas special for the NBS network. Someone finally outbid CBC! It's going to be different because it'll be live, with a few seconds delay, of course. It's going to be broadcast from our center for the performing arts. We're inviting any local kids, parents, and grandparents that want to attend. We're having thousands of toys wrapped as gifts. We're also going to have racks and racks of warm clothes of all sizes for kids and adults to choose from. It's been a tough economy and Lady in Red will be giving back to the community that's done so much for us."

"It looks like Steph has taken to her job like a duck to water," laughed Steve. "This sounds like a great idea. It'll make Christmas even more special when we watch the kids' faces when they see the gifts. Are we going to have a big tree?"

"It's already been ordered. It'll be as high as the ceiling in the main room, and they'll have it set up and decorated at least a week before the show," replied a beaming Stephanie. "The music will be supplied by an orchestra, so you guys had better be ready to really sing well. This'll be live, so there won't be any do-overs.

"Then you're doing a New Year's show on CBC. It'll be live with the band, and broadcast from Key West. The thing that will be different with this show will that Jordan and Gwen will be in bikinis a lot of the time, while Charlie and Steve will work the whole night sans shirts. All the other count-down shows have people in parkas, freezing their butts off. The network wants a lot of beautiful people there, so this entire group is invited and will have lodging supplied, as well as travel expenses."

"That includes you, Steph," pointed out Steve. "Be sure you pack a couple of tiny bikinis. I'm thinking the ratings will be through the roof with these ladies dancing and partying in swim wear."

"I've never performed in a swim suit before," worried Gwen. "I don't want anything slipping out while I'm doing one of our more active numbers. That would be embarrassing."

"And a ratings bonanza!" quipped Charlotte. "Every guy watching you and Jordan on TV will be hoping and praying for a wardrobe malfunction. Then if Naomi, Kate, Ashley, Becky, Lisa, Stephanie, and Diane and Paula have any slippage, we'll corner the viewing market. Toss in these guys running around with no shirts and it'll be a huge success!"

"That pretty well sums up how I sold the idea to the network, and why they're paying so much money for five hours of prime time performances," admitted Stephanie with a laugh. "They're getting some prime eye candy of both genders for their money.

"As long as I have your attention," continued Stephanie. "Next summer we'll be making two movies. Charlie and Jordan are starring in one and Gwen and Steve will be in the other. Both couples will also appear in the other's movie, but not in a big role. That will allow the fans to get their Jordan and Gwen 'fix' in both movies.

"Gwen and Steve will be in a romantic comedy about a guy that's a construction worker and former military man that gets in a little trouble with the law in a small town. He's sentenced to participate in a dance contest. His partner is a spoiled bitch that was picked up by the police with some recreational drugs in her possession. Her parents are one of the leading families in the community and are fed up with their spoiled daughter's antics. They pressure the judge to sentence her to something difficult or demanding, to teach her some discipline. You can probably see where this will go.

"I've managed to hire a renowned local dance instructor to choreograph the movie, as well as to play the part of the dance instructor in the movie. Why be in such a cool job if I can't practice nepotism? I'll have to insist that Steve doesn't put any moves on my Mom, and that Mom keeps her top on, most of the time, at least," grinned Stephanie as the table erupted in laughter.

"Jordan and Charlie will be making an action movie. It'll feature a tough lady cop and an Army officer that have to work together on a case involving the murder of an enlisted man's wife. It'll have a lot of twists, and a real surprise ending. Any questions?"

"How come I have to keep my top on?" asked Diane as the group once again broke into peals of laughter.

Once the laughter died down, Stephanie brought up the final item on her agenda. "Gwen is going to be sworn on the first day Congress is in session. That's Thursday, January 3. The company has arranged for a big celebration to be held at our hotel in Washington. We'll have a small orchestra and tons of food and drink. I've spoken to Steve and Gwen and they've insisted that everyone in the district be invited. I'll take out a few ads in the local newspapers.

"I'm sure that some VIP's from Hollywood and Washington will show up, but this party is for the people that put their trust in Gwen, and by extension, Steve. The really cool thing is that the following evening, we're having the premier of our new film, 'Diana', in Washington with another party at the hotel! I wasn't in this film since I was starting a stupid job, but I did view it last week. People that think it's going to be a corny spoof will be really surprised. Then on Saturday night, we're having another premier here in Sparta! It's the first movie ever made here and we're going to celebrate it right. That party will be at the Center.

"The movie was written very well. Gwen is incredible as Wonder Woman. She's all smart, strong, and beautiful, but she's got no clue about men. She only knows what she's heard from her mother and the other women in her world. Men were considered pretty much worthless. Guess what? When she meets Steve, all of her predetermined notions about men are out the window. It's a very romantic movie, but has lots of action and a lot of big chested Amazons. I predict that posters, especially of Naomi, will be selling like hotcakes. I don't know how she got into that outfit, or how she kept it up!"

"I haven't properly introduced Pete Walker to everyone. He's the guy sitting next to Becky and acting all goofy," joked Steve as he pointed to Pete. "I hired him for security for the girls, especially Ashley, and he came through for her. I'm afraid I wasn't quite as alert as I should have been and if Pete hadn't stepped in, we wouldn't be here having a good time tonight.

"He's an Army veteran, has a degree in computer science, and handles a gun with the best of them. As you all know, people that work for us are our friends. We treat them like family and not like employees. Becky may carry that philosophy too far with Pete, but that's going to be his problem. He's supposed to protect the girls, but no one's going to protect him from the girls."

"Hey, I'm not breaking any rules," insisted Becky. "I just happen to appreciate it when a man saves my life. We may have to find someone else to take care of Ashley, so Pete can look after me."

"He was looking after you pretty darn hard when you walked over to chat with Kate," observed Billy. "Personally, I'm not too keen on having a guy around that ogles the ladies."

"Are you afraid he'll take your place as the number one pervert?" teased Jordan. "I can feel your eyes on my ass every time I turn my back to you. I'm not even going to mention what I can feel them when I'm facing you. Don't worry, Pete. All of these guys look at our asses and boobs all of the time. We wouldn't have it any other way. They're men and that's what men do. At least it's what we ladies seem to prefer in our men. There's so much testosterone at this table, you can almost feel it."

"Were you watching my little butt when I went over to see Kate?" demanded Becky as Pete turned a bright red. "It looks like we've got another one of those testosterone laden guys, doesn't it, Jordan? Why are we attracted to guys like this?"

"I think the fact that we're vain, insecure, proud, well built, sexy, secure, and exhibitionists at heart might have something to do with it," guessed Jordan.

"That could be it. We're insecure, but secure at the same time. That sums it up. We know they look, and we like it. We also need to know that we have what it takes to get a man's attention," agreed Becky.

"I'll vouch that you have everything needed to get a guy's attention," chuckled Jared as Naomi gave him an elbow. "I'm just saying that Becky has a very nice set of, don't elbow me again! She has nice eyes, and we gentlemen always look at a lady's eyes first."

"Steve, would you come with me to greet some of our friends and neighbors while we're waiting for dessert, once I thank this brave man," asked Gwen as she carefully sat down in Pete's lap and hugged him. "I knew the day I met you that you'd be important in my life. Saving Ashley and Becky has made your position with us permanent. You're our friend now and we all take care of our friends. Thanks, Pete!"

Gwen then stood up, took Steve's hand, and led him into the dining area. The conversation in the room stopped immediately as everyone watched the famous couple walk up to the first table and chat with the occupants. It took a few minutes, but they visited every table, frequently posing for pictures, shaking hands, and often giving hugs.

Gwen made a point of inviting everyone to the Christmas party and television show Lady in Red was producing two days before Christmas.

"It'll be live and I hope you'll enjoy the show," finished Gwen. "We'll have lot of gifts for children and clothing for anyone that needs some warm clothes. Please tell everyone you see that they're invited."

"I know that we'll love it," responded a lady Gwen had known since childhood. "To think we get to be part of a major TV production and bring our families. Since you two have become so successful, our town has flourished. People have good jobs. We have a new hospital that accepts all children regardless of ability to pay. Tourism has increased by thousands. Now you've been elected to congress and Steve's a SEAL and a national hero. Everyone in town is so proud of you both that we can hardly stand it!"

"Thanks, Mrs. Williams. We appreciate the kind words, but it's been a team effort. A lot of people have worked very hard to make all of this come together. We can't take the credit for all of the good things that have happened here."

"That modesty is very becoming, but everyone knows that you two, along with Jordan Quick, are the entire reason for our prosperity. I just want you both to know that we all appreciate the things you've done for this community and its residents."

"Watch how Gwen and Steve are with each other," whispered Ashley to Pete. "If you do, you'll see that you have no reason to be jealous of Steve as far as Becky is concerned. Sure, she loves the guy. We all do, but we love Gwen, too. We all know that those two are destined to be together and we'd never do anything to change that, even if we could. Watch their eyes when they look at each other. That's what real love is."

As if on cue, just as Steve and Gwen finished visiting with the last table of diners, 'Lady in Red' began playing over the restaurant's sound system. Years ago, Steve and Gwen had accepted the fact that Billy's father would occasionally play the song, hoping that the couple would dance. The patrons always reacted positively. In fact, it was the very possibility of seeing the two lovers perform their signature dance that drew many of the tourists, as well as locals to the restaurant.

Gwen smiled as she turned to Steve and stepped into his arms. "Billy's dad is at it again. It's a good thing I never get tired of dancing to this song with you. Who would've thought that you winning the bid on a dance with me would have started such a series of events? I'm just lucky it was me that you selected that day at the mall."

"If I hadn't picked you, none of this would have happened," insisted Steve as he held Gwen close and moved to the music. "No one else could have done all the things that you've accomplished. You're the driving force in our success."

"I refuse to get into that discussion with you again," beamed Gwen. "I'm convinced that you feel that to be true, but I'm even more certain that you're the amazing half of our little partnership."

As the song ended, all the diners rose from their seats. They cheered and clapped for over a minute as Gwen and Steve waved and bowed several times. Billy's dad rushed up to them and hugged Gwen and shook Steve's hand as he thanked them for being such good sports.

The next day saw a very large gathering at Lisa and Jason's home. They had a huge kitchen/dining area and it was a good thing. The parents of Billy, Naomi, Charley, and Pete along with the mothers of Jordan, Charlotte, Becky and Ashley had accepted invitations. Chip's parents arrived shortly before dinner was to be served.

Chip greeted his mother with a hug and then briefly shook his father's hand. "These are my parents, Marian and Chester Martin. This is..."

"The mother of your future grandchildren!" blurted Kate as she wrapped her arms around Chip's father and hugged him tightly. "I can see where Chip got his good looks and muscles. Should I call you Chester, Mr. Martin, or Dad?"

Chip's father flushed a bright red as Kate continued to hug him. Everyone else broke into gales of laughter at the man's predicament. "I, I guess you can call me any of those things. Probably Chester would be best. Are you telling me that you're pregnant?"

"Not yet," replied Kate as she released Chip's father. "I have to finish law school, he has to make amends with you, and we need to be married before we have any children. I'll be done with school in about two and a half years. You need to patch things up by then. Do you see any problem with that?"

Once again, Chester Martin turned red as he listened to the beautiful girlfriend of his son. And once more, everyone listening broke into laughter. Chip's mother held her hand over her mouth as she tried to contain her merriment.

"No, I guess not," responded Chester deliberately. "I can run the business for another twenty years and then the grandkids can take over."

"Maybe you need to consider moving your headquarters to Sparta so Chip and I will be able to help you," suggested Kate. "Chip told me you have a couple dozen tire stores in five states. Build one here and include room for your headquarters. You might even be able to get our tire business."

"How many tires do you think that you and Chip will be using?" questioned Chip's father with a slight smirk. "Even if you have two cars and drive them a lot, you'd only buy tires every couple of years."

That's true," agreed Kate. "I guess I was thinking about Lady in Red Productions. We're always increasing our fleet of cars, trucks and tractor trailers. Those vehicles use tires, don't they Stephanie?"

"Last year, we purchased about nine hundred tires, but that includes tires for our jet and the machinery we own," allowed Stephanie as she studied her tablet. "I expect that number will increase every year as we add more vehicles to our fleet and more machinery. I guess that isn't enough to make much difference to a big company like Mr. Martin's."

"I never said that!" protested Chip's father. "You girls purchase the tires for Lady in Red Productions? I didn't know that. Do you work in the office?"

"Actually, I'm sort of a vice-president in charge of all kinds of things. Kate doesn't work for the company. She's one of the owners. She's really quite wealthy," revealed Stephanie with a smirk of her own.

"It looks like I've been set up," groaned Chester Martin. "I'm sorry about my misunderstanding of your position in the company. It seems like someone would have told me what was going on before I arrived here and made a fool of myself."