Lady in Red Pt. 02 Ch. 16

"Clean shirt, new shoes,

And we don't know what they're going to do

Silk suit, black tie,

Do they really need a reason why?

They come runnin' just as fast as they can,

Cause every girl's crazy about a sharp dressed man!"

As Gwen and Jordan finished the first stanza, the stage behind the two guys filled with dancing girls in revealing outfits. Steve and Charlie were moving back and forth on the stage as they played. They movements were precise and energetic.

Meanwhile Gwen and Jordan had danced to the rear of the stage to their 'dressing room', which was in clear view of both the TV and theater audience. Both girls turned their backs and dropped their robes! That's when the audience noticed that a dresser was strategically placed so the girls' derrières were blocked from view. It was obvious that they were both naked from the waist up.

They pulled some outfits off hangers and quickly stepped into them. They fastened some hooks, glanced at each other, nodded, and danced back to the front of the stage in time for the next stanza.

Jaws dropped open as the audience watched the two incredibly sexy women dance with the music in what appeared to be undergarments. Jordan wore a black strapless push-up bra and black boy shorts, while Gwen was in a red bustier top and matching red panties.

Both girls looked about to burst out of their tops as they danced up to the front to sing the second stanza. By this time, the crowd was really getting into the music with many actresses dancing in the aisles and cheering loudly. As soon as they finished the second stanza, Gwen and Jordan danced back to their dressing area and pulled two gowns off hooks and dropped them over their heads. It took them only a few seconds to secure the dresses, which covered just a little more than had been exposed by the under garments.

Soon they danced back down to the front, where they delivered the third stanza before moving to either side of Charlie and Steve to move in the same dance steps the men were doing. The crowd loved it!

Once the last chord sounded, the two girls began waving and smiling as several scantily clad women carried clothes over to Charlie and Steve and helped them get dressed. The crowd broke into loud laughter when one of the girls helping Steve tried to tuck his shirt down the front of his trousers. He smiled at her as he clutched her wrist and shook his head. By the time the applause died down, Charlie and Steve stood on stage fully dressed in very good looking tuxedos!

Charlie stepped behind a nearby curtain and returned with a double bass while Steve picked up his guitar again. They nodded to each other and began playing again. This time it was the rockabilly song 'Rock This Town' by the Stray Cats. Gwen and Jordan moved across the stage and seemed to glide down the stairs as they sang the lyrics. Soon they were in two main aisles, singing as they moved with the tempo of the song.

Steve worked his way off the stage and stood by the front row of guests. He took over the vocals when they reached the lyrics about the 'real square cat' and how 'you looked at me once, you look at me twice, you look at me again and there's gonna be a fight'. Steve directed the lyrics to a famous tough guy actor and former governor sitting in the second row and the audience broke into laughter and applause. By the end of the song, Jordan, Gwen, and Steve were back on stage with Charlie as the applause lasted a long time.

Half an hour into the program, the Oscar for best original score was awarded. Gwen and Steve were disappointed that Charlie and Jordan did not win, but knew they still had a great chance to win for best original song.

Half way through the evening, the two couples were shown on camera to be quite surprised when the announcer introduced President Marchant of France! He delivered a brief speech in English. He spoke of the appreciation the people of France had for the efforts of Jordan, Gwen, Charlie, and Steve for the orphaned children and all the people of France. As he spoke photos of the four friends performing from the top of the Arc de Triomphe with the full moon behind them were shown on the huge monitor.

He asked the four to join him and they quickly complied. Jordan and Gwen both brushed back tears as Marchant carefully placed ribbons with the Order of Arts and Letters over their heads. He then kissed each of the girls on both cheeks and firmly shook hands with Charlie and Steve. Once again, the applause and cheering was almost deafening.

A short time later, Jordan and Charlie were at the podium to present the Oscar for best supporting actress. Jordan was unable to conceal her joy when she read Naomi's name as the winner.

Naomi was stunning in a low purple gown that clung to her amazing figure. She hugged Jordan and Charlie and then turned to the crowd. "There are many people that made this possible and should be thanked. I want them to know that I appreciate all they have done for me. That said, I thank Jared for always being there for me and I thank Gwen for being a wonderful friend and an amazing talent. But none of this would have ever happened if I had never met Steve Hammer. I love the guy, I respect him, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart."

Gwen and Steve were next at the podium to award the best original song. Gwen shed tears of joy when she read Jordan and Charlie's names as the winners. "Thanks to everyone that listened to, and liked our song. Charlie is an amazing talent. I'm proud to be his wife and his partner. Much like Naomi, we owe it all to Gwen and Steve. My career was circling the drain when I met them. They turned me around and even introduced me to Charlie. They taught me what love and friendship should be. Thanks so much!" finished Jordan.

With that said, Jordan wrapped her arms around Steve's neck and gave him a smoldering kiss, while Charlie gave Gwen a somewhat more subdued kiss. Then the two men shook hands while Gwen and Jordan hugged each other as the crowd showed its approval.

Near the end of the evening, Steve moved to the podium to announce the winner of the Oscar for best actress. When he opened the envelope to read the winner's name, a huge smile appeared. Gwen won!

Gwen was radiant as she worked her way across the stage. She accepted the statuette with her left hand and clung to Steve's hand with her right. "Everything I am, everything that I ever hope to be has been made possible because this guy next to me loves me so much. I thank everyone that helped with the movie and all of the fans that watched and enjoyed it, but I truly love Steve Hammer and he's the force behind any success I have!"

As soon as she finished her short speech, Gwen pulled Steve down with her free hand and kissed him long and hard on the lips as the audience once again cheered and applauded.

The four friends made excellent hosts. Their friendship and trust in each other allowed them to time the delivery their lines perfectly. They were gracious, polite, and entertaining and the viewers responded by giving the show the best ratings the broadcast ever had.

Lady in Red Productions had a hotel ballroom rented for the traditional party after the awards. They had signs conspicuously posted that drugs would not be tolerated and obviously inebriated people would not be served. A security detail was patrolling the festivities to be sure those rules were followed. Steve noticed that several actors balked at entering after reading the warning. A couple of them simply turned around and left. Steve felt some sorrow that they felt they couldn't attend a party without drugs, but was pleased that they had decided to make the statement and enforce it.

Photographers had Gwen, Naomi, Jordan, and Charlie pose for numerous shots. Then they asked Steve to get in them as well.

"These people won the Oscars, not me," protested Steve halfheartedly.

"Each of us knows that you deserve most of the credit for our awards," insisted Naomi as she slid in as close to Steve as she could get. Her large breasts were pressed against his chest.

"I guess I have to fight fire with fire," complained Gwen as she moved tight to Steve's other side and pressed her equally impressive bosom against Steve's chest.

"My God! What a picture that is," groaned Billy as he pulled his phone out and snapped a few pictures from behind the photographers. "Jordan, we need another set to complete the picture. Could you somehow get your girls in there someplace?"

"Just where would I put them, Billy?" asked a smiling Jordan. "It looks pretty crowded in there already."

Maybe we could get Steve to sit down and all three, or six of you, depending on how you look at it, could lean over and smother him with cleavage," suggested Billy.

The photographer's actually liked Billy's suggestion and that became the pose carried on most internet newspapers and internet sites the next day. Steve was grinning from ear to ear as the three voluptuous women were draped over his shoulders with large amounts of cleavage on display.

Ted and Paula managed to find a quiet moment to speak to Steve a short time later. "We wanted to be sure you understood how grateful we are that you're in our lives and that you're so good to us, and especially to Gwen. We feel like you're the son we never had and are eager for the day when you officially become our son, or at least son-in-law," praised Ted.

Steve gave Ted a manly hug and then wrapped Paula up in his arms and pulled her tight to his chest. "I have to thank you for being such understanding, loving parents. And I thank Paula for being the sexiest, most beautiful mother in the world."

"Go easy, Big Boy," laughed Paula. "Ted's already telling me we need to go back to our room. Don't get me all fired up, too. We may be asked to leave the hotel because of all of the noise we'll be making."

The next morning, Steve woke up to find Gwen kissing his cheek and nibbling on his ear. He smiled as he took her into his arms and made gentle, slow love to her.

Everyone had gone to bed very late and had agreed to meet in a reserved room at their hotel for a late brunch. All requests by the morning shows for interviews had been declined. It was a happy group that gathered shortly before noon.

Ashley, who had been spending much of her time in Washington, sat down next to Gwen. "There are some members of Congress complaining about you being such a bad example for the nation's young people. They feel your commercials, and your performance last night are too risqué and failed to uphold the high moral standards of that sacred institution."

"Really? Tell me, are Bill Simpson, Jack Benton, and Marge McDonald still members of Congress?" asked Gwen.

"Why, yes, as a matter of fact, they are," responded Ashley with a grin.

"Then I don't think I'll worry about living up to the standards of that 'institution', as you called it. I would never stoop that low!" explained Gwen. "I didn't ask for the job. I didn't say I'd quit my day job. I'm proud of my work, my friends, and my life. I can't be bothered worrying about what those hypocrites think."

Not surprisingly, sales of Lady in Red swim and evening wear and lingerie increased dramatically after the Super Bowl and the Oscars. Jordan, Charlie, Steve, and Gwen became even better known and for the most part, loved by the citizens of America.

Gwen returned to Sanford for her medical studies, but flew to Washington numerous times over the rest of the winter to vote on important issues. Whenever she was in town, the press followed her relentlessly. When Steve joined her, it became even worse. Everyone wanted to know how Gwen was voting on any given issue, what she was wearing, what she and Steve were planning, and when they would be doing it.

The couple's overwhelming popularity did not go unnoticed in the halls of Congress. Politics is a tough and very serious business for most members of Congress. The ease and magnitude of Gwen's success rankled more than a few law makers. Envy and greed drive Washington and many politicians wanted what Gwen and Steve had.

"I'm constantly being accused of keeping you around to garner votes and gain attention," revealed Senator Chatham to Steve one morning later that spring. "What you and your friends have managed is unparalleled. You're self made billionaires, generous to a fault, heroic as all hell, make great movies and music, and yet are extremely ethical. You're America's darlings, our answer to British royalty, only far better."

"Has it become a problem for you?" asked Steve.

"You know me better than that," assured Senator Chatham. "You do garner a lot of press for me and it will probably help get me votes, so I may not be any better than the rest of the jackals out there, but I like to think that I am.

"I've been hearing rumblings on the Hill about your girlfriend's financial status and whether she's using her position in Congress for personal gain. Before you go off on me, I know she doesn't! She's probably losing money by serving in Washington. It limits her TV and movie roles, among other things.

"The fact is that there is a growing resentment in this town over Gwen's golden touch. Everything she does, the two of you do, or either of you do, turns out successful and usually beneficial to a lot of people. That would normally be considered a good thing, but not in this town. Politicians don't trust what they can't understand, and Gwen is a real conundrum to them. She's been in office a few months now and she has more influence with voters, world leaders, and our own president than politicians that have served for thirty years, and they don't like it one bit."

"Senator, where are you going with this?" asked Steve. "Is there a point to this discussion?"

"Yes, my impatient young friend, there is. You need to be prepared for all kinds of hell to rain down on you. There will be accusations, rumors, and innuendo about Gwen's finances, morals, and motives. I know how strongly you feel about her and how anything that harms her, harms you, and how you'll react to that."

"You have a lot of resources and I'd suggest that you take advantage of them. Have your most obvious enemies investigated. Look into their finances, family life, political life, religion, tax statements, donations, and anything else you can think of. I don't want you two caught flat-footed when the shit hits the fan, and it will hit the fan in the next few months. The best defense is a good offense. Your enemies need to know that you're ahead of them in every aspect of the game. You need to be proactive," advised Senator Chatham.

"There's something else. The State Department was been contacted by the Russian government. They want to know if you'll be allowed to serve as best man at Vlad Nobikov's wedding in early May. Of course we have to smile and tell them we'd be honored, but it's going to give ammunition to the Cold War advocates in Congress. To top it off, Gwen is being asked to be the Maid of Honor.

"Normally, a wedding is personal and not political, but a sitting Congresswoman the Maid of Honor for the Russian president's son's wedding? If she accepts, the McCarthy types in Congress will attack her. I can tell you that with certainty.

"I gave you a lot to think about, but I've become quite fond of you two and hate to see you hurt more than needed. If you're aware and prepared, you'll have a better chance to get through this."

Steve respected Senator Chatham's knowledge and experience and realized that she was offering some very good advice. That evening he spoke with his grandfather on the phone for a long time. The next day, he met with Ashley, Kate, Naomi, Becky, Pete and Skip. Paula, Ted, Jordan, Charlie, Lisa, Jason, Jared, Billy, Gwen, Stephanie, and Charlotte joined them on Skype. He explained what was probably looming for Gwen and what Senator Chatham suggested be done to counteract it.

It took a couple hours, but a plan was formed that everyone agreed upon. The lion's share of the work would fall on the shoulders of Paula, Ashley, and Stephanie. They would be coordinating all efforts to learn as much as possible about Gwen's political enemies.

Ted was going to meet with the company accountants and go over all of the financials. They wanted no surprises as well as guarantee that Gwen had obeyed all laws and regulations pertaining to members of Congress. Lady in Red Productions' financials were also being audited to be certain that they paid all taxes and took no questionable exemptions.

Naomi, Jared, Jason, Pete, and Chip would discreetly speak with their military contacts to see if they knew of any questionable actions by any members of Congress with the military. Steve's grandfather was well connected and he promised to pass on any information he might gather.

Jordan and Charlie would proceed as normal, but making extra care to always be supportive of Gwen every opportunity they had. They were extremely popular and everyone in the group agreed that people listened to and trusted Jordan and Charlie, nearly as much as Gwen and Steve. Everyone else agreed to be available at any time if help were required in any area of the group's efforts.

Near the end of the meeting, Paula made a point of speaking to Steve directly. "We all know how you feel about Gwen and how you'll do everything in your power to keep her from harm's way. Please don't react physically to anything these people do or say about Gwen. You have a career and a brilliant future. Don't ruin it by doing something rash. Think before you act and if possible, discuss it with Gwen, Stephanie, Ashley, or me, or even all of us. We don't want to lose you while we're saving Gwen."

"I understand what you're telling me," responded Steve. "My nature is to be direct and to address issues head on, but I've learned a few things over the years about diplomacy and the advantage of using the back door rather than the front one all of the time."

"That was more information than we needed, especially for my parents," quipped Kate as everyone laughed for the first time that evening as Steve blushed and poked Kate gently with his fist.

"As for the request to be Maid of Honor, I spoke with Anna this morning and I told her that I'd be delighted to do it," continued Gwen while pretending that she never heard Kate's barb. "I will not have politics dictate with whom I am friends, or how I support my friends. If that upsets those old farts, so be it!

"The wedding is May 2nd. We've agreed to perform in Red Square on Thursday evening, April 30st, the night before their big May Day Parade. All of you have been invited to attend the concert and the wedding, along with Steve's relatives. On May 3rd, we'll have the groundbreaking for the new hospital in Moscow that Steve so brilliantly negotiated for us to build," teased Gwen.

"The following Friday night, we'll be in Kiev for the grand opening of our beautiful new hospital in that city and another concert. We will not worry about how some old politicians feel about what we're doing. What kind of world is it when people find something bad to say about funding hospitals and treating sick and injured children regardless of their financial status? This company will always try to do the right thing and if that turns out to be the road to hell, well, that's okay, too!"

Lady in Red Productions once again made headlines a few weeks later when a tornado tore through the city of Barnesville, Tennessee early on a Sunday morning. It swept in at two o'clock and by two thirty, a large section of the city was damaged, with several hundred homes destroyed and an unknown number of lives lost.

Steve happened to be in Nashville with Senator Chatham when the disaster struck. Stephanie had flown in earlier in the day to meet with Steve and discuss the information her sources had gathered about the looming political attack on Gwen.