For Better or For Worse
CHAPTER ONE
"Are you ready?" Mr. Paige whispered.
Bailey smiled. "I'm ready."
She didn't think this moment would ever arrive. The month's since Gary's proposal had gone by quickly enough. But this last week had been a whole other story.
Bailey and Mr. Paige stepped into the auditorium and the crowd stood up. For a moment Gary was blocked from her view. Just for a moment. Then she saw him. The face that could hide nothing. Every emotion he felt was evident on his handsome face. She had never felt more beautiful in her life as she did right at this moment. It had nothing to do with the dress, her hair or makeup. It had everything to do with the look Gary had on his face.
Bailey reached the altar. She took a deep breath. She already felt like crying. She wouldn't cry though. She had promised herself that she wouldn't.
"Dearly Beloved. We are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the face of this company to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony." The preacher began.
"It is an institution not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly. But reverently, discreetly, advisedly , soberly and in the fear of God."
She looked at Gary who had a sparkle in his eye. She hadn't felt nervous until the preacher spoke those words. She knew marriage was a serious undertaking. But the preacher's words had really struck her as how serious this was. Gary smiled at her as if to reassure her. Suddenly her fears were gone.
But they were to be short lived.
"Into this holy estate these two persons present, come now to be joined. If anyone present can show any just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together. Speak now. Or forever hereafter, hold your peace." The preacher announced.
Bailey held her breath. She saw Gary unconsciously reach for the paper inside his tux jacket. Bailey slightly shook her head 'no' . Those few quiet moments seemed like an eternity................
~~~~~~~~~
Bailey walked out of the bathroom, towel drying her hair, singing.
She sat down at her vanity and began to comb her hair. The phone rang.
"Hello!" She answered brightly.
"Hi, Bailey. It's me."
Bailey's heart lurched at the sound of his voice. "Hi, Gary." She sighed.
"Only one more week till the wedding. I can't wait to make you my wife." He said softly.
She had chill bumps run up her arms. "I can't wait either." She said blushing. "Are you on your way out?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to call before I left."
"Are you very busy today?" Bailey wondered.
"Mmm, hmm." He mumbled into the phone.
"What's the matter? Is there something serious going on today?" She asked worriedly.
"No, nothing I can't handle. I'm just busy." He paused. " What if I'm busy on our wedding day?"
"Gary don't worry. I would say the paper has been very cooperative as far as we've been concerned." She responded.
"I think it's more like you've been cooperative. You've been really understanding." Gary explained.
"I love you, Gary. I just want to be with you no matter what it takes."
Gary smiled on the other end of the line. "I'm glad you love me. Because I need to ask a really big favor. Chuck called and he's coming in a day early and I can't pick him up at the airport because of this paper. Could you..?"
"Of course Gary. What time is his flight?" She asked, grabbing a pen and paper to jot down the information.
"It's at 10 a.m. at O'Hare. Flight 216 American. I would do it but I have a hit and run to stop at 10:30 and a woman gets trapped in a building that gets demolished at 1p.m., clear across town. I know you are busy with the wedding and I hate to ask. I tried to get word to him so he could take a cab, but he's already gone."
"Gary, I'll pick him up and take him to McGinty's. I'm supposed to go over the menu for the reception with the chef anyway. It's not a problem."
"Great. I really appreciate this Bailey." Gary sighed in relief.
Bailey smiled. It was so hard for Gary to ask for help. "Well, just remember you owe me." She teased.
"Oh? And what will you ask in return?" He asked. A trace of laughter in his voice.
"Well, I will have to think about it. I'll let you know after the wedding." She laughed.
She glanced at the clock. "I gotta go, Gary. I'll see you this afternoon sometime. Be careful. I love you!"
"I love you too." Gary smiled as he hung up the phone. It felt so good to be able to say those three little words to someone.
"That must have been Bailey you were talking to." Marissa said as she walked into the office.
"No." Gary whispered conspiratorially. "That was my mistress. Don't say anything."
"Gary!" Marissa laughed. She smiled fondly at her closest friend. "It is so nice to have the old Gary Hobson back. I am just so happy for you."
"I'm happy for me too. Um, Bailey is picking Chuck up at the airport and she's bringing him back here. They should be here by noon." He looked at his watch. "Gotta go, Marissa." He said as he gave her a quick peck on the cheek and dashed out the door.
CHAPTER TWO
Gary stood near the intersection of Dearborn and Burton. He checked the newspaper. 'Pedestrian killed in hit and run.' "Yesterday at approximately 10:30 a.m. ten year old Elijah Johnson was struck by a speeding vehicle. The child was attempting to cross at the light when a white Chevy Impala ran a red light." Gary read aloud.
Gary looked at his watch. 10:20. He was a little early. He leaned against the light pole and waited. He watched as families and couples in love walked by. A little over a year ago he remembered watching people like this wistfully. Wishing it was him. He smiled. Today it was him. Bailey may not actually be here with him. But she was always with him. Just a thought away, which was never far.
Squeaky tennis shoes brought him out of his day dream. A young boy of about ten approached the corner.
The child started to step out in the street.
"Hey, son. You're shoe lace is untied." Gary offered.
Elijah looked down, then back at Gary. Just then a white car sped past. Horns blared. Tires squealed.
"What's your problem, mister. My shoe's not untied." The boy demanded.
"Made you look, didn't I?" Gary laughed.
"What a weirdo." Elijah said as he waited for another green light.
Gary whistled as he walked down the street. 10:45 his watch read.
~~~~~
Bailey waited at the gate for Chuck to appear. He stepped through the door wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt a black pull over sweater vest, black loafers and a black tam on backwards. Even though they were indoors he wore sunglasses.
She smiled when she saw him. He slung his bag over his shoulder. He walked with an air of confidence and cockiness that was almost humorous to see.
"Chuck!" She called out.
"Bailey!" Chuck exclaimed taking off his sunglasses. He dropped his bag at her feet and grabbed her in a bear hug.
Bailey gasped in surprise. Then laughed. He let go of her, stepped back and looked her over as if taking inventory. He cocked his head and raised an eyebrow.
"You're marrying Gary? Why?" He asked.
"What?" she replied, confused.
"Ha! Gotcha!" Chuck laughed taking her arm. "That Gar. He's a good lookin' kid. Don't know how he made it this long without snagging someone. Of course that paper of his never helped out any." He ran on without taking a breath.
"I have heard so much about you, Chuck. It is so great to finally meet you." Bailey said as she looked around. "Where's your wife?"
"Uh, um. She won't be making it to the wedding. Business. You know how it is in Hollywood." He explained.
He stopped and turned to Bailey. "You've been good for Gary. I can hear it in his voice. He's happy. If you make him happy. You make me happy. So why isn't he here? Something with the paper? I'm dying to have a falafel. Have you ever had one? I know this great place we can stop on the way to McGinty's."
Bailey felt as if she'd been caught up in a whirlwind. A whirlwind named Chuck.
~~~~~
Gary stood outside a building in the warehouse district. No one was around. Equipment stood vacant. "Must have taken an early lunch." He pondered aloud. He pulled the paper out of his back pocket.
"Body found in rubble of demolished building."
"The body of a young woman was found in the rubble of the Ashton Warehouse. The building was demolished around 1 p.m. yesterday. The body was discovered two hours later. Identification of the body is not being released. Pending notification of family." Gary read.
He looked at his watch. 11:40. He put the paper in his back pocket and tried to find a way into the building. He walked around the side where he found a board pulled loose from a window. Gary tugged at a couple more to make room for him to get through.
"Hello!" He called out.
"Help! I'm up here!" A frightened voice replied.
Gary carefully made his way up the stairs. They creaked and shifted every step he took. He got to the second floor. There were layers of dust everywhere. He could see freshly made footprints and he followed them.
He pushed open a door and saw an arm sticking out from under a pile of debris.
"Thank God you're here. Can you get me out?" The girl said when she realized Gary was there to help. "One of my arms is trapped and I can't get enough leverage to get this stuff off."
Gary moved cautiously toward the girl.
"What are you doing in here?" He asked.
"What does it look like, mister? I'm having a tea party." She snapped.
"Well, excuse me for asking." He said as he lifted pieces of plaster and wood off of the girl.
He lifted a beam and she shoved with all of her might. Causing Gary to fall backwards. "Hey wait! Where are you going?" He called after her.
"Outta here. You think I'm gonna let you tell my parents I was in here? They'd kill me." She said as she ran out of the room.
"Ungrateful little....." Gary grumbled.
CHAPTER THREE
Back at McGinty's, Bailey and Chuck were on their third round of pool.
"So how is it you're Snow's granddaughter?" Chuck asked as he got ready to take a shot.
"Well, he married my grandmother and they had my mother. She married my dad and they had me. You know the usual family tree." Bailey laughed.
"I know that! So, Snow was married. We just assumed he was alone all of his life and never had a family." Chuck stated.
"He and my grandmother got married in 1944 and they had my mother less than a year later. My grandmother died from cancer about a year before I was born. My mother was 20. She married my dad the same year. I think that's why her judgement was a little off concerning him." Bailey explained.
"I wonder if that's when Snow started getting the paper?" Chuck pondered.
Bailey got a puzzled look on her face. "That's a good question. It would make sense. Gary started getting the paper under similar circumstances. Hmm, that may be one of those questions we never get the answer to." She responded.
Bailey took her shot. She sank the 9 ball in the right corner pocket. She lined up her last shot and sank the 8 ball.
"That's $30 you owe me." She said and smiled.
Marissa who had been sitting in a nearby chair listening, laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Gary picked himself up off the floor and dusted himself off. He pulled the paper out of his back pocket.
"Local bar owner dies in building demolition."
"What the..?" Gary looked at his watch. 12:10. Almost an hour till demolition was scheduled. He scratched his head. He scanned the article. "The body was found two hours after the building had been demolished. Hobson was to be wed this Saturday to Bailey Vandercliff, photographer."
"It doesn't say why I don't get out of the building. What a lousy reporter." Gary mumbled to himself.
Gary proceeded cautiously to the stairs. He stepped carefully down the first three steps. The third step gave under his weight and he grabbed the hand rail, which came loose as his body fell against it. As he fell the paper scattered in all directions.
~~~~~~~~
"What is it?" Marissa asked Bailey.
"Hmm? What?" she replied.
"Something’s wrong. What is it?" Marissa asked again.
"I don't know. I just feel really funny all of a sudden." Bailey said as she walked into the bar area. She looked at the clock. 12:30.
"Pre-wedding jitters. Everyone gets them." Chuck offered. "Hey, pour her a ginger ale." Chuck told the bartender.
"It was probably the falafels." Marissa said. "I can't believe you took her there Chuck."
Bailey took a sip of the ginger ale and sat down at the bar as Chuck and Marissa argued about falafels.
"Gary hasn't called, has he Marissa?" Bailey asked.
"No. Do you think something has happened to Gary?" She responded.
Bailey rubbed her forehead. "I don't know. I just. Something is wrong. I can feel it."
"Did he tell you where he was going today?" Chuck asked.
"He had to stop a hit and run this morning and get somebody out of a condemned building before 1." She told him.
"Did he say where the building was? asked Chuck.
"No, he just said the two incidents were across town from each other. Chuck you don't think?"
"Meow!"
"What's that?" Chuck asked pointing to the cat.
"What's what?" Marissa asked.
"It's the paper." Bailey said as she got up and pulled the paper out from underneath the cat.
"How did that get there?" Chuck wondered. pard line
"Local bar owner dies in building demolition." Bailey read aloud. "Oh my God! It's Gary!'
"Let's go!" Chuck ordered as he pulled her out the door. She tucked the paper in her back pocket as she ran.
CHAPTER FOUR
Bailey screeched her Jeep to a halt in front of the Ashton Warehouse. Workers were moving their machines into position. She and Chuck came out of the vehicle screaming and waving their hands.
"Stop! Stop!"
"What are you doing? Get outta the way?" The crane operator hollered at Chuck, who had run in front of the wrecking machine.
Bailey had ran around the building looking for a place to get in.
"Gary?! Gary?! Answer me!" She cried out desperately.
She found the window with the boards removed. She lifted her leg and pulled herself up and through the window.
"Gary!" She gasped.
Gary lay sprawled on the floor.
"Gary? Oh my God! Gary!?" She screamed as she ran to him. She touched his neck. There was a pulse.
"Gary?" She whispered softly. "Chuck! He's in here. Chuck!" She called out.
Chuck had stopped the demolition and was climbing through the window. Followed by some of the workers.
"Don't move him.' He instructed as he pulled his cell phone out and dialed 911.
Bailey sat on the floor next to Gary and stroked his hair. The paper? What had she done with the paper? Remembering, she pulled the paper from her back pocket. She opened it and looked at the headline. She handed it to Chuck who breathed a sigh of relief with her.
"It say's he'll be okay." Chuck said quietly.
"Arrgh." Gary groaned.
"Gary don't move. An ambulance is on it's way." Bailey explained.
He closed his eyes and opened them again. "How did you know?" He croaked out, then laughed.
"What's so funny?" She asked as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
"Nothing. It's just that someone is always asking me, 'how did you know?' instead of the other way around."
Bailey and Chuck laughed with him.
"Oww." Gary groaned again, placing his hand on his head.
Bailey rested her hand on his arm as they heard the ambulance siren.
~~~~~
"You're lucky you just have a slight concussion. It could have been much worse." Marissa stated.
Gary took a deep breath. "Believe me I know."
"Hey buddy. I'll stay with you. I'll just go check out of the hotel and be right back." Chuck offered.
Bailey saw the look of panic on Gary's face. Having been told how Chuck's things seem to
have a habit of taking over a room.
"Thanks Chuck, but I'll stay with him." Bailey stated.
"Yeah, okay. Anyway it's your job now to look after Gar." He replied.
Bailey offered Chuck her Jeep to get back to the hotel. After everyone left, She curled up next to Gary on the bed.
"I don't think that was so wise letting Chuck take your Jeep." Gary said as he put his arm around her.
"Hmm. " She mumbled.
"Are you okay?" He asked her.
"You scared me today." She said softly.
"I'm sorry." He paused. "If you want to back out of the wedding. I understand."
She sat up and looked at him. "Are you kidding? I thought I might lose you today and it felt awful. Worse than I've felt since, since we were split up. I never want to let you go, Gary. Never." She said as she leaned in and kissed him softly.
She backed away suddenly. She turned on the bed to face him. She pulled her knees up under her chin.
"What?" Gary asked. Putting a hand on her arm. "Come back over here." He pleaded with this pathetic look.
"Oh no you don't! That look won't work on me tonight. We need to talk." She placed her hand on top of his that was resting on her arm. His fingers intertwined with hers as she talked.
"Your proposal was so unexpected and since then, between the paper and planning the wedding, we never really talked about what we wanted for our future."
She looked down at their hands. "Gary, where do you see us in 30 or 40 years? What will our lives have been like?" She asked seriously.
"I only get tomorrow's news." He said jokingly.
"Gary I am serious. Do we? Do you, want children? Do we want to buy a house soon, or remodel the storage room across the hall. Will you let me help you with the paper? I want to know what you want?" She waited patiently for his answer.
He sighed. "What do you want? Do you want kids?" He asked hopefully. Almost afraid to look at her. Almost afraid of her answer.
CHAPTER FIVE
"I would love to have a dozen kids. All with your eyes." Bailey said honestly. "I want a big family Gary. I want all the things for my children, that I never had. A warm cozy home, with lots of friends, parents who love each other. Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, little league, cheerleading, school plays, sleep overs, camping in the backyard." She bit her bottom lip. "Is that what you want?'
Gary leaned against his headboard with his head down. He didn't say anything for several moments. He thought of all the things she had mentioned. She had pretty much described his childhood. And that is exactly what he wanted for his children.
Nervous that he was taking so long to answer, she said, "Well, of course with the paper. It, It's not a good idea. We don't have to have kids. I, I can.."
"Shh." He shook his head and swallowed. "I want kids too." He looked at her intently. "I always have. Marcia, she never, well I didn't find out till later that she didn't want kids. Her career was more important. I was almost afraid to ask you. Not that it would make any difference in how I feel for you." He added quickly.
"Really? Lot's of kids. A big house?" She smiled brightly.
"Zeke." He stated.
"What?" She asked.
"Zeke. That's what I want to name my son. Zeke Hobson."
Bailey laughed. "You're kidding? Right?" She stopped laughing at the look on his face. "You want to name your son after Detective Crumb?"
Gary made a face. "Maybe Hank or Jeff would be better." He suggested.
They both laughed. "What if it's a girl?" She asked.
"Hank or Jeff, of course." He teased.
"I do think we should wait a while before we have kids, just to adjust. With the paper." He suggested. "We need to get settled and, I would like to find a house. And as far as you helping with the paper. You have your own career to think of."
Bailey was so happy she felt her heart would explode.
"I want to help you with the paper. I want to take some of the load off of you so you can relax. No, I really want to. And I want to help out around the bar more too. I can always take pictures in my spare time. Then when the time is right for us to have children, I'll stay home and you can go back to taking care of the paper all by yourself." She explained.
Gary looked at her closely. "I would argue if I thought I could win. But I think you've made up your mind on this. You working here would be a great help to me and Marissa. As far as the paper, I'll only agree to the small stories." He conceded.
She smiled. "Agreed."
~~~~~
"Meow!" Thump.
Bailey yawned and stretched. Her body protesting to the sudden movement.
She heard Gary padding across the floor to the door. She sat up and yawned. The cat ran in and hopped up on the couch with Bailey. Gary picked up the paper and shut the door. He turned around and saw her.
"You didn't have to sleep on the couch. You could have slept in the bed with me." He said.
"Oh, no you don't. I don't trust you. We have just one week. One week." She said shaking her finger at him.
Gary rolled the newspaper and held it in one hand and gestured toward the bed with the other. "I was just trying to be a gentleman and offer you the opportunity to sleep in comfort." He smiled.
"A gentleman would offer the bed while he took the couch." She teased.
"I'm hurt." He faked.
"Get over it." She said as she stood up.
"Uh, I do have a concussion." He said furrowing his brow.
She smiled at him. "You seem to be doing all right. You woke up easily enough during the night, when I checked on you."
There was that look again. "Does your head
hurt?" She asked. Genuinely concerned.
"No, just my feelings." He pouted.
He was just so darn cute in the morning. With his hair all sticking up.
"What's in the paper." She asked. Getting her mind back on track. She reached for it and he held it over his head, out of her reach.
"Fine." She said as she turned and went to the bathroom.
When she came out, Gary was making coffee. She snuck up behind him and grabbed the paper off the table.
"Give me that!" He ordered.
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!" She giggled.
She ran around the back of his chair. They stood facing each other. The chair between them. Gary moved to his right. She moved to her right.
"I'm going to take care of this today." She stated.
"Nooo. You're not. I am." He answered.
"I am not backing down on this." She warned.
"Oh, really?"
"Really. You need to rest." She said, raising an eyebrow.
Suddenly Gary jumped up on the chair and
vaulted over it, causing Bailey to scream. She ran and he caught her next to the bed. He pulled the paper from her hands and tossed it on the floor and began to tickle her. They fell onto the bed.
"No! Gary! Oh my, Gary stop!" She squealed.
"Say Uncle. No. Say Uncle!"
"Uncle! Grr. No fair!" She whined.
"Winner and still champion!" Gary crowed.
As he let down his guard, Bailey rolled him over and sat straddle him, tickling him.
He laughed out loud and tried to squirm free.
"Oh!" He groaned.
Bailey stopped. "Gary?"
He grabbed her arms and rolled her over. "Ha! Gotcha!"
"No fair! You cheat!' She giggled.
"Me a cheater?" He feigned innocence.
"Yes, you." She looked up at him solemnly. Are you sure you're okay?"
He smiled at her and kissed her on the nose. "I'm fine. Really. Don't worry about me."
"I do worry and if you let me take care of the paper today I won't worry as much. Gary, please. You really should rest today." She pleaded.
"You have a wedding to take care of and don't you have to pick Emily up at the airport?" He reminded her.
Bailey sighed. Knowing she did have things to take care of. "Are
you sure you feel up to this?"
The door to the loft swung open. "Oops! Sorry kiddo's. Didn't mean to interrupt." Chuck said, shielding his eyes.
"Chuck, don't you know how to knock?" Gary complained as he helped
Bailey up off the bed.
"Well, excuse me. I thought Bailey might need her Jeep today and who would have expected you, Gary Hobson. The poster boy for monk hood, to get caught trying to make time with a beautiful woman. Come here gorgeous." Chuck said as he grabbed Bailey and spun her around.
She threw her head back and laughed.
"Let her go Chuck." Gary ordered.
Chuck playfully punched Gary's arm. "What? Jealous?"
"Ha ha ha!" Gary chortled.
"Chuck can you help Gary with the paper today?" Bailey inquired.
"Aw, no, no, no!" Gary shook his head.
"Aw, yes, yes, yes!" She said as she kissed him quickly. "See you later." She kissed Chuck on the cheek. "You too."
Chuck grinned from ear to ear as he watched Bailey leave.
He turned to see the paper on the floor and bent to pick it up.
Gary grabbed it first. "Oh no you don't."
"Gar, ole buddy, ole pal. Don't you trust me yet?" Chuck asked.
Gary cocked his head as he looked at his friend. "Ah, that would be, No."
CHAPTER SIX
"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" The preacher asked.
"I do." Mr. Paige answered. He kissed Bailey on the cheek. She handed her bouquet to Emily and Gary took her hand and helped her up the two steps to the altar.
"If you would join right hands." The preacher instructed.
Bailey's hands were ice cold and she was shaking. Gary rubbed her hand with his thumb. She looked up at him and he smiled. Lord she loved this man. She sighed and her shaking subsided.
"Gary will you take this woman, whom you hold by the hand to be your wedded wife? Promising to keep, cherish and defend her and to be her faithful and true husband so long as you both shall live?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh you've got to be kidding?" Chuck groaned.
"What?" Gary turned and saw Bailey and Emily walk into the bar. He smiled as he saw her. Bailey waved.
"Oh no! What's he doing here? Emily asked and turned around.
"What? Who?" Bailey asked, scanning the room.
"Chuck Fishman."
"You know Chuck?"
"The Weasel."
Recognition dawning on Bailey. "Chuck's the weasel?" Bailey suppressed a giggle. "That was Bikini Squad you worked on. I thought it was Baywatch."
"Did I say Baywatch? I don't think I did. You must have misunderstood me." Emily said not meeting her friends eyes.
Bailey knew her friend too well. Sometimes she glossed over things to make them appear better than what they were. So seemed this case.
"Come on. I want you to meet Gary. Behave yourself." She warned as an after thought.
"I bet you ten bucks Chuck makes the first crack." Emily forewarned.
"Shh."
Bailey reached Gary. "Hi, hon. Are you feeling okay?" She said as she brushed her fingers over his hair.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He said and quickly kissed her. Embarrassed that she was still making a fuss.
Bailey took his hand in hers.. "Gary, this is Emily. Emily, this is Gary. I think you've met Chuck." Bailey introduced.
"Gary it's so nice to finally meet the man of Bailey's dreams, literally. I've been hearing about you for the last four or five years." Emily stated.
Gary gave her a perplexed look. "Howzat?"
"She's just being funny. Aren't you Em?" Bailey gave her a warning look to let her know she hadn't told Gary about the dream.
"Yeah, that's me. Crack 'em up Emily." She turned to Chuck who she had been ignoring.
"Chuck." She spat out.
"You're right, Bailey. We've had the displeasure of meeting before." Chuck said sarcastically.
"You owe me ten, Bailey." Emily said not taking her eyes off of
Chuck.
"Em, behave." Bailey suggested as she nudged her friend.
"What? I told you he'd make the first crack." said Emily.
"Me? Why you butcher!" Chuck exclaimed.
"Butcher? Why you slimy weasel!' Emily exclaimed as she reached toward Chuck in a motion to strangle him.
Chuck quickly stepped behind Gary using him as a shield.
"What are you doing?" Gary asked as he moved away from Chuck.
He stepped behind Gary again as Emily kept reaching for him.
"She's a psycho!" Chuck accused.
"Stop this right now. Both of you." Bailey ordered. "Let's take this into the office."
Chuck opened the door to the office and entered.
"A gentleman usually holds the door open for a lady." Emily said under her breath as she followed him into the office.
"Of course. Excuse me." Chuck said as he walked back out of the office and held the door open for Bailey. "Since you are the only lady I see."
"Pig!" Emily spat out.
"Stylist wanna be." Chuck responded.
Gary shut the door behind him. Wondering what the heck was going on.
"Okay you guys. Cool it. Each to your own corners." Bailey ordered.
Gary was confused. "What is going on here?"
"Well this so called stylist almost ruined Bikini Squad." Chuck began.
"It was not my fault. You just assumed. You never shut up long enough to listen to anyone.. Unless of course she is tall, blond and has huge..."
"Listen to you? Your voice can curdle milk." Chuck said between clenched teeth.
Emily lunged at Chuck again. Bailey grabbed her as Chuck once again stepped behind Gary.
"Stop doing that!' Gary stated to Chuck.
"Why don't you tie her up and muzzle her while you're at it." Chuck suggested.
Bailey grabbed Emily before she could react.
"Both of you sit down and shut up. No! Far away from each other. If we are all going to survive the week. We need to clear the air. Chuck you first. Why did you fire Emily?" Bailey asked.
"You fired her?" Gary asked in surprise.
"Gary, hush!" Bailey snapped.
Gary looked at Bailey in astonishment.
"Oh, I'm sorry honey. " She quickly kissed him in apology. "Chuck go ahead."
"I fired her because she chopped off the leading stars hair. She went from having hair down to the middle of her back to hair up to here." He said indicating his shoulder. "Hair that length is not sexy."
They all turned to look at Bailey. Whose hair was the same length Chuck had just indicated. She unconsciously smoothed her hair.
"Not you, of course you're sexy. But you're a brunette. It's different." Chuck said trying to smooth over his statement.
"Don't even try to smooth talk it , buster. You're foot is so far in your mouth it needs to be surgically removed. Did your star tell you why I cut her hair? She had gotten her hair over processed by someone who didn't know what the heck she was doing. And no it wasn't me. Her hair was fried beyond repair and she came to me for help. After the fact. I tried everything before I cut it off. I was trying to save her butt and yours. And the thanks I got was to be fired for the first time in my life." Emily explained.
Sheepishly Chuck said, "Well. You could have told me."
"I tried to tell you and you said to talk to the
hand." Emily said holding up her hand in imitation of Chuck. "You, slimy, self centered, egotistical, obnoxious weasel." She said glaring at him.
"Gary! Bailey!' Lois said as she entered the
office.
"Oh no." Gary moaned. "Mom, Dad. You're here early."
"Hello!" Lois said. Acknowledging the others in the room, before hugging Gary.
"Chucko!"
"Bernie!" Chuck said as they hugged each other.
"We wanted to get here early to help with last minute details. Hi, you must be Emily. I'm Lois Hobson, Gary's mother. And this is my husband Bernie." She introduced.
"Where's Marissa? Marissa!" Bernie called out.
"Bernie? Lois? Hi, you're here early." Marissa
stated as she walked into the office.
"Oh boy!" Gary muttered.
The room was alive with chatter.
Gary took Bailey's hand and pulled her aside.
"Would you like to elope?" He asked as he swallowed hard.
Bailey smiled up at him and laughed. His facial expression speaking volumes
| CHAPTER SEVEN |
CHAPTER EIGHT
Gary rolled over and pulled his pillow to him and hugged it tightly. He groaned. He certainly was stiff this morning. He inhaled deeply and stretched. "Ow!" he muttered through clenched teeth. He rubbed his eyes and looked over at the clock. 9:30 a.m.
"Good, a couple......9:30!" He sat straight up in bed.
~~~
"Marissa! Where's the paper? Where are my parents?" Gary asked as he skidded into the office.
"They left a couple of hours ago to take care of the paper. Your mother said to enjoy the morning off." Marissa explained.
"Enjoy the morning off? How am I supposed to enjoy it knowing they're out there with the paper? This is great. Just great." Gary mumbled as he paced back and forth.
"Gary relax. Your parents have handled the paper before. It will be all right."
"Good morning, you two." Chuck said as he entered the office, holding a coffee mug. He took a sip. "What are you still doing here? The paper give you a day off?"
"My parents took the paper." Gary stated as he slowly sat down at
his desk.
Chuck raised an eyebrow. "Are you okay, buddy?"
Gary waved him off. "I'm just a little sore from the fall I took yesterday."
"Well, it looks like you need a day off to recoup. What's the big deal with your parents taking the paper. Aren't they going to take care of it while you and Bailey are on your honeymoon?" Chuck asked.
"You know that's not a bad idea, Gary. You should have your parents take over the paper for a few days so you can take Bailey on a honeymoon." Marissa interrupted.
"You weren't going to take Bailey on a honeymoon?" Chuck asked in
shock.
Gary opened his mouth then snapped it shut.
Chuck took another sip of coffee and looked at Gary over the top of his mug.
"It's not a bad idea, Gar. You know I'd offer to do it if I didn't have to be back in L.A. the day after the wedding. Have you even thought about a honeymoon?" Chuck asked.
Gary sat with his arms crossed on his desk. He raised his right hand and scratched the back of his head. "Nah, that wouldn't work. Would it?" Gary wondered.
"As long as your mom is there I wouldn't worry about it. Now if it was just Bernie. That's a whole other story." Chuck admitted.
"Gary, you and Bailey need a honeymoon.
You need that time alone together." Marissa stated.
"We discussed it. But the paper is such a big responsibility, we decided not to go on one.. She didn't seem to mind." Gary explained.
"Of course she'd say she didn't mind, Gary.
She knows what a responsibility the paper is. If she knew you had reservations about leaving the paper, she would never make an issue of it. Surprise her, Gary. Take her someplace romantic. Women like that." Marissa said.
"I have less than a week. What could I..... I know the perfect spot." Gary realized.
~~~~
Bailey woke up and stretched. Then she yawned. Mmm. Coffee was brewing. She looked at the clock. 10:00 a.m. She bolted out of bed. "I can't believe I forgot to set the alarm." She mumbled to herself.
"Coffee?" Emily asked as she walked into the room."
"Yes, thank you. I can't believe I overslept. I have a ton of stuff to do today. The week's gonna be gone before I know it, and nothing will be done." Bailey complained.
"What's on the schedule for today?" Emily inquired.
"I have to meet with the florist and the musicians. Then stop by McGinty's to sample the menu for the reception." Bailey said as she looked through her planner.
"Tomorrow, we all have fittings for our
dresses. I need to go over decorations with the crew at McGinty's.
Wednesday, I need to go over music selections with the D.J. for the reception, then later we can try to figure out a hairstyle that works best with my veil.
Thursday we meet Miguel at the church to take my portraits.
Friday, decorate McGinty's for the rehearsal dinner and then the rehearsal.
And finally, Saturday, try not to fall apart before the wedding." Bailey read off.
"Did you schedule time to relax?" Emily teased.
"If one thing doesn't go to schedule this week, I'll never make it through." Bailey offered.
"Be prepared Bailey. No wedding goes off without a hitch. Here give me your cup and hop in the shower so we can get started." Emily offered.
~~~~~
"Bailey that is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen." Lois gushed. "Gary is going to be speechless when he sees you."
"Let's hope not. I'd like him to at least get the vows out." Bailey said and they all laughed.
"How did you find this exact dress?" Emily wondered.
"I came in here and looked through their catalogues and there it was. Just exactly as I had pictured it." Bailey answered.
Emily shook her head in astonishment.
"Well, go try it on. I can't wait to see you in it." Lois urged.
"Miss Vandercliff. I can't seem to find your bridesmaids dresses." The clerk stated.
"What? I was called last week and I was told they were in. What happened to them?" Bailey asked.
"I'm not sure." The clerk responded.
"Do you not have Mrs. Hobson's dress either?"
"I'll go check."
"You do that. I can't believe this. What could they have done with them?" Bailey asked, her voice raising a pitch.
"Bailey, calm down. I am sure they are here somewhere." Marissa
soothed.
"They should have been with my dress. I knew something like this would happen." Bailey worried.
"Here they are, Miss Vandercliff. I apologize for the confusion. They got put under the name Hobson." The clerk explained.
"See there. Everything turned out okay. Problem averted. Let's go try on our dresses."
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