FINDERS KEEPERS

Part 3

A rush of cold air blew against her skin as the quilt lifted then settled back into place. A warm scratchy body snuggled next to her bare back.

"Good morning wife," Carl greeted her, planting a kiss on the nape of her neck.

Rachel rolled over and kissed him. "Good morning darling. You feel cold."

"While you’ve slept the morning away I’ve been tending to your breakfast. Completely naked I might add," he chuckled.

"Carl, I can’t believe you!"

"I wore an apron. What good does it do to have an empty house if I can’t walk around sans clothing? Besides, since the older models moved out we can do as we please. We should incorporate it into our schedule – Naked Tuesday."

"Cute. However, while I don’t mind seeing your glorious self around the place, I don’t think Claudia or Helen would care for it."

"I don’t know about Helen. I think she would enjoy the show. If you ever need entertainment, say a male dancer, for one of her birthdays…"

"I’ll call an agency in town. Tell me what’s for breakfast."

"Hungry" he murmured, rolling onto his back and pulling her on top of him. "I dare say we both worked up a fair amount of appetite."

"Mmhmm, and you can stop that right now."

"What?" His eyes were innocent but his hands caressed their way from Rachel’s thighs to her lower back, tracing intricate patterns on her bare skin.

"That thing you do with your hands," she replied as his hands crept higher.

"What thing Rachel? I have no idea what in the world you’re talking about."

A groan issued from Rachel’s throat as his hands continued to travel upward. As they slid up to cup her breasts, she caved. "I really, really hate it when my breakfast gets cold."

"I’ll make more," was all he could say as her lips claimed his.

The need to clear her head had driven Jules from her hotel room. She knew a stripe of pure yellow ran down her back because the courage to contact him had fled with the morning light. Since dawn she’d been wandering around Bay City thinking of him with every street she walked down, every name she read aloud. Jules found herself wondering if the man named Carl Hutchins had taken the very path she traveled and what his thoughts might have been.

She’d also begun to question herself and her true motivation for coming to this place. When she’d taken him out of the clinic the others had considered him healthy and ready to reenter the world. She, on the other hand, had wanted him to stay. For purely medical reasons of course. Dr. Thacker, her superior, had disagreed and won. That man was a thorn in her side.

Rounding the corner, Jules read the street sign – Center Street. In front of her stood what was obviously Bay City’s hospital. How appropriate she end up at a medical facility. No matter how hard she tried, medicine followed close on her heels. Oh well, at least what looked like a small restaurant stood nearby. Carlino’s. She hoped a reservation wasn’t required; her stomach was growling.

"Rachel!" Paulina came running from behind the counter to envelop her stepmother in a bear hug. "You’re home."

"Hi yourself honey." Rachel returned the hug as best she could. "I was only gone for a few days."

"It was a few days too many ‘cause I just missed you so much and so did Dante and the twins."

"Where are my babies?" Rachel’s eyes darted around the deserted restaurant.

"I’ll get them; they’re in the kitchen with Remy. Where’s Carl?"

The bell on the door rang as Carl entered. "Here I am. Hallo Paulina." He threw his hand up as she disappeared through the connecting door. Two dark heads raced out seconds later and flung themselves at Rachel’s legs, almost knocking her down.

"We missed you Mommy!" they shouted over and over as she did her best to hold them both at once.

"Alright you two, I think it’s time we let Mommy catch her breath." Carl picked a wriggling Elizabeth from Rachel’s midsection and held her to his chest.

"My little darlings, Mommy missed you too!" She blanketed their angelic faces with kisses, causing them to giggle.

"I missed you Mama!" chirped her little girl.

"Me too," seconded Cory.

"I missed both of you and I’d try to hold you both," she said as she switched babies with Carl, "but Mommy can’t do that anymore. Were you good for Daddy?"

"Yep!" Elizabeth confirmed.

"Me too."

"I’m so proud of you. And was Daddy a good boy?"

The kids looked at one another but didn’t answer right away. "I’ll tell you later Mommy," Elizabeth whispered in her mother’s ear.

"I’m counting on it sweetheart. Okay everybody, where do we want to eat lunch today?"

"Polly’s," they agreed in unison.

"Daddy?" Rachel looked to her husband.

"Fine by me."

"Carlino’s it is then. Although, we don’t have a reservation you know. You’ll have to ask Paulina." The grubs jumped from their parents’ arms to rush over to one of their favorite people in the entire world.

"How can I refuse?" Paulina laughed and helped them onto chairs.

Carl and Rachel watched the scene with contentment in their hearts. "You need to talk with Paulina darling. She has some news," Carl whispered for her ears only. Before she could question him, he joined the group at the table.

…..to be continued…

…..next time on Finders Keepers: encounters and encouragement….

..feedback welcome