“He’s so cute.” Ellen laughed as Marcus snuggled up to her grunting. “Dean?” She came closer. “How fast?”
“Wait.” Looking up, Dean did his fastest math in his head. “Shit. Fifty-nine miles per hour give or take one.”
“Wow. Fifty-nine?” Ellen struggled with the child and handed him to Dean.
“Heavy.” Dean grunted as he took Marcus in his arms. “Let’s take him back in the lab.”
“Yeah, his clothes should be dry by now.” Ellen followed them in. “It was amazing how he never even noticed he got wet or cold.” She reached out her hand, running it down Marcus’ square face. “Let’s not forget to tell Melissa we fed him.”
“We didn’t have a choice.” Dean, with his free hand, grabbed Marcus’ clothes. “He got into my rabbits again.”
“Let me help you get him dressed.” Ellen grabbed his clothes and stood next to Dean, who sat the three month old baby down, the baby who looked as if he were a year. “He’s so cute Dean. I want one of these.”
“I’m glad you said that, El.” Dean pulled Marcus’ arm out of the sleeve.
“Why? You aren’t thinking of sticking an embryo in me are you?”
“No.” Dean shook his head struggling to put on Marcus’ pants. “I’m going to try to grow one.”
“Can I help? It’ll be fun.”
“Will you?”
“Dean.” Ellen smiled. “He can be our child.”
“O.K.” Dean shrugged. “After this virus stuff is over with, we’ll start.”
Joe Slagel’s loud clearing throat caught their attention. “I cannot believe I am seeing what I am seeing. Give that child to me.” He snapped his finger and held out his hand.
Ellen lifted Marcus up. “That snapping fingers is a Slagel trademark, isn’t it? What did we do Joe? You look pissed?”
Joe grabbed Marcus into his arms. “What in the world would possess you two to lie to Melissa and bring this baby down here? That is so wrong.”
Dean ran his hands through his hair in nervousness. “We didn’t hurt him Joe. We just wanted to run a few tests on him.”
“He has a mother,” Joe scolded. “You can’t do this shit.”
Ellen tried to defend them. “Joe, really she did give her permission to grow one of our embryos in her and by doing that she . . .”
“Ellen!” Joe shut her up with a stern yell. “You don’t experiment on someone’s kid without them knowing! Now I’m taking him home and I hope to God I never catch you two doing this again or I swear I’ll stick you two in Fabrics making socks. And Dean, be in my office in thirty minutes.”
“Got it.” Dean waved. “And I’m sorry.”
“Me, too.” Ellen tried not to snicker as she watched Joe walk out. “Joe? If Melissa asks why his clothes are damp, can you tell her he was playing in water.?”
Joe grunted.
“And Joe?” Ellen called out again. “Tell her he ate.”
Afraid of yelling anymore, Joe carried the wiry big baby out.
Ellen turned to Dean. “So what’s this late night meeting with Joe?
“Oh check this out,” Dean said leaning into Ellen. “I’m meeting the mystery time traveler tonight.”
“Any guesses on who it is?”
“Haven’t a clue. All I know is this person had to pass a Jason time exam. So knowing that . . .” Dean gave a flash raised of his eyebrows. “This person has to be exceptional.”
^^^^
“Oh, yeah,” Frank graveled in voice in Joe’s office, “call me Mr. Time.”
“Oh, my God.” Joe closed his eyes.
The moan from Jason and whine from Henry as they both slumped in their chairs reflected Joe’s sentiments.
“Or better, yet.” Frank held up a finger. “The chosen. I am the chosen time man, or . . .”
“Frank! Enough!” Joe slammed his hand on the desk. “First off, let’s get something straight. You are not, I repeat, not, the head honcho on this time trip.”
“But I’m Frank.”
“And you also are at times one dumb son of a bitch.” Ignoring Frank’s gasp, Joe calmed himself down. “The only reason you have any responsibility other than picking up items we need is because you are my son and it works in our favor.”
Jason decided to explain. “See. We were trying to figure out how the third person could get through to Joe. The day we send you back is a day we know that Joe is working in the CIA office. We will want you to call him, Frank, and ask for simple background checks on some of the Society members.”
“I may question you,” Joe stated, “but you tell me it is for something top secret that you’re working on. Got it?”
“Yes,” Frank nodded, “then what?”
“Then you’ll give me the time to do it and I’ll fax it to you,” Joe said.
“I don’t have a fax machine,” Frank replied, “Trish does. But how are you going to fax something to the future. Isn’t that . . .”
“Frank.” Joe halted him. “Just another aspect of your job as the time guy. Miles City is the closest major town around here. That is where you’ll go when you go back in time. There’s a library there, a big one, and a copy store. During a test run before the actual time trip, part of your job is to find the copy store and get the fax number.”
Henry raised his hand. “Joe, once again I want to state this is not a good idea to send Frank back in time. You can’t do that to old world civilization.”
“Hey,” Frank snapped. “I resent that. Did I not pass Jason’s test with flying colors? And I’m not gonna screw anything up. I know what I’m supposed to do. I’m the call guy, shopping guy, and fax guy. But I’m not the head honcho guy. Who is?”
“The person who is responsible for retrieving the library information,” Joe answered.
“Which is?” Frank asked.
The opening of the office door brought the answer. Dean walked in. “I know I’m early. But I wanted to…” He stopped cold when he saw Frank. “No.”
“No!” Frank stood up. “Dad.”
“Joe.” Dean looked at Joe.
Henry buried his face in his hands. “Oh, my God.”
“I am not going back in time with him.” Frank pointed at Dean. “He thinks he knows everything.”
“And he knows nothing,” Dean argued.
“Enough.” Joe yelled. “It’s settled. You will do this together. You three. Henry stays by the time machine watching the history disks and you two . . .” Joe paused to cringe. “interact with the past.”
Frank dropped down to his chair.
“Joe. Jason.” Dean spoke argumentatively walking to Joe’s desk. “What are you thinking? You cannot send this man back in time. You can’t. It’s Frank. Frank.”
“What?” Frank looked up.
“See.” Dean said pointing back to Frank.. “Joe, you cannot be serious? Do you realize the trouble he can cause?”
“Oh!” Frank yelled out. “Look at you making little man remarks when you’re just jealous.”
“Of what? You?”
“Yeah,” Frank said arrogantly, “because I’m just as much a science savvy guy as you.”
Dean tried not to laugh. “How do you figure?”
“I aced the time test and . . .” Frank nodded, “who finally cured the plague?”
“Me,” Dean snapped.
“But was I not the one who suggested you diluted the antidote too much?”
“Yeah, only after I told you we added too much water.” Dean’s voice began to rise. “I cannot believe that you would even sit there and suggest you cured . . .”
“Dean,” Joe called out in a calm manner, “why are you even wasting your breath? Do you realize how ridiculous the whole argument is? We all know who cured the plague. Sit down.”
Frank smirked as Dean sat, “Me. I cured the plague.”
Dean snapped a glare at Frank.
Henry whined again, “Joe, Jason. Please. Change this.”
“No,” Joe said strongly. “No. The discussion is
final. Sitting before me is the winning combination. I believe that. Right, Jason? I have every faith in these three.”
Legs crossed in a European manner, Jason slowly shook his head. “No, you don’t.”
After taking a good long look at Frank Henry, and Dean, a fake cry and grunt came from Joe as he covered his face in his hands. “Oh God. What are we doing?”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
November 23
It was a school-girl like giggle that came from Andrea. In Dean’s lab she tapped her hand on Dean’s in a motherly manner. “Don’t be silly. Frank isn’t going to kill you when you go back in time.”
“I’m concerned about it. He could push me you into the flow of traffic and nothing would change in time.”
“But he has no reason to kill you.”
“After today he may. Ellen, she’s having a talk with him.”
“About you and her?” Andrea asked.
“Somewhat.”
Andrea let out an aggravated breath. “Lord, Dean. I know some men in this community share their women. You and Frank are not in that category. You cannot share Ellen.”
“I don’t want to share her, Andrea. I just . . . want her.”
“Well you can’t have her. She’s married. So drop it.” Andrea’s hand cut through the air. “Drop it.”
Joe’s long whistle sang into the lab. “Andrea Winters-Sanchez, are we mad at Dean?”
“No.” Andrea shook her head “We were just discussing medications and that . . . future trip.”
“Speaking of future trips,” Joe walked further into the lab, “Dean, I need those specifications for that mobile lab. As soon as we get those motorcycles in shape, John’s leaving to look for one. The time trip meeting is in a couple hours.”.
“Shit.” Dean snapped his finger. “That was today I was supposed to give that to you.” He saw Joe nod. “I have it ready. It’s in the computer down in the cryo-lab. Wait here?”
“I’ll wait.” Joe pulled up a stool and sat down.
“I’ll be back.” Dean darted from the lab.
After watching Dean leave, Joe looked to Andrea. “Everything all right with Dean?”
“Oh, yes,” Andrea smiled. “We weren’t arguing. I was just giving a mother’s scold. That’s all.”
“Do you think it worked?”
“Absolutely not,” Andrea shook her head. “He’s just a little concerned about this time trip.”
“I’m not worried about the time trip as much as the mock runs they have to make to Miles City. I just fear it may be a little too much Frank and Dean quality time,” Joe chuckled. “And speaking of Miles City, things have been so busy . . .” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a picture. He set it before Andrea. “Check this out. Some of Robbie’s things were left behind there. Frank found them.”
Andrea smiled sweetly at the photograph of the four Slagel Boys. “Look at Robbie, so innocent looking.”
“He was innocent Andrea, all the way around.” Joe took the picture back when Andrea handed it to him. “One of the best kids. That’s why I totally disagree with those who say the world didn’t make him bad. The world had to. And Frank finding this picture and the other things is my reiteration.” Joe placed the picture back in his pocket.
“I agree with you.” Andrea laid her hand over Joe’s. “We have to cherish those memories of our children when that’s all we have of them. But . . . let’s not forget the ones that we still have. Katie, Frank, Ellen. They are precious gifts.”
In the midst of his solemn moment, Joe jolted at the crass calling of his name.
“Joe,” Sharply and angrily, Jenny Matoose spoke as she stepped into the lab. She stopped cold, folding her arms in an intimating manner as she leaned to one side, red hair over her shoulder, tapping her foot. “You have to do something.”
“What’s wrong? “Joe asked.
“Well, John tells me the new man, Sarge, is going to be in security. So I go over, do my normal greeting and the man asks when I am giving him sex as part of his welcome to Beginnings.”
“He didn’t go after you did he?” Joe asked with concern.
“Oh, no. He was very polite. But he still asked,” Jenny said with irritation.
“I’ll speak to him,” Joe said.
“No, not him. Frank and Ellen. Because they were the ones who told him I would.” Still hostile, Jenny spun with dramatics and stormed from the lab.
After bobbing his head in thought following Jenny’s exit, Joe turned back to Andrea. “What was that again you were saying about our children being precious gifts?”
^^^^
‘Frank, we need to talk. ‘Frank, we need to step back.’ ‘I need some time.’ The words of how to convey what Ellen needed to speak about ran through her mind as she made an intentionally early arrival at Frank’s house before the meeting.
A deep breath and a sequester of fear accompanied her raised fist to the front door. She wasn’t going to back down. After all, Frank had been her best friend for over half her life. What was there to worry about? Of everyone, she had to be the most honest with him.
“El,” Frank said with surprise as he opened the door. “You’re early.”
“I know and there’s a reason for it.” Ellen stepped in. “Where’s Brian?”
“Josh is bathing him.” Frank saw the panic hit Ellen. “No, no. He won’t leave him alone again.”
“Good.” She let out a breath. “Anyhow, we need to talk.”
“Really?” Frank smiled.
Just as Ellen was about to say ‘yes’, she saw Frank dart with some excitement across the room. “Frank?” She called out curiously. “What are you doing?”
“I didn’t think and I’ve been up on it.”
“What are you talking about?”
Frank held up Rev. Bob’s better marriage book and headed back into the living room. “I’ve been following carefully. I didn’t think it was time to have spontaneous talks.” Frank began to flip through the pages. “But I’ll tell you, El, I can’t wait until we hit that step of this plan. I have tons, tons of memories I want to bring up out of the blue.”
Ellen blinked slowly, “They won’t be spontaneous then.”
“Yeah they will.” Frank shook his head. “It’s not here, hon. Step six is where we’re at,” Frank smiled, “Starting tomorrow. Where did you read it was time?”
“I didn’t. I just . . .”
“El,” Frank snickered. “Do you think it’s wise to insert your own marriage suggestions?”
“Frank, I’m not here to talk about this step thing.” She reached her hand up and lowered the book from him. “I have to talk about something else. Let’s sit down.” She grabbed his arm and led him to the couch. As they sat, Ellen noticed Frank’s stare still on the book. “Why are you so into this?”
Frank let out a breath, “Because I want this marriage to work. I want prove that we can be a couple instead of two friends that sleep together. Being your husband is something I always wanted, something I have dreamed of since I was an eighteen year old kid staring at you while you brushed your hair. Truly believing every day that I watched you walk in the door, that you would fall in love with me. This is not something I want to give up. This is something I’ve waited my whole life for. We have missed the ace in every hand fate has dealt us. And last year when we got married . . .” Frank gripped the book. “I felt like I had been given all four of them.” With a quick breath and a shake of his head, Frank caught himself being entirely too mushy. “Sorry.” He put the book down. “So . . . what did you wanna talk about?”
Ellen stared at him. Like a magnet he was pulling at her, a tugging she wanted to just kill him over. “Um . . . I was thinking maybe Josh could watch all the kids over Dean’s instead of here. Billy’s been sleeping early. I’d hate to drag him out.”
“Oh.” Frank shrugged. “Sure. Is that it?”
“Yeah,” Ellen nodded slowly, “that’s it.”
Frank chuckled as he stood u
p. “That didn’t take long. You want some coffee while we wait?” He pointed to the kitchen.
“Yes. Thanks.” Rubbing her hands together, Ellen kept her eyes on Frank as he walked from the room. Then she shifted her views to the book on the coffee table. Cover bent, pages dirty, all evidence, along with his words, that he had been reading the book. Picking up the book and flipping through the pages made Ellen feel even worse. How differently they were looking at it. Frank had gone as far as to circle sections in the book, when she herself had yet to read a single sentence.
^^^^
It was a peaceful quiet moment in Dean’s house, broken only by the knock at the door. He should have smiled at the twins who painting quietly on the floor instead of fighting. But in his step over them to the door, Dean grew annoyed by the wiggling Alexandra did. “Alex, please go to the bathroom.”
“I don’t have to.” She added some paint to the picture and wiggled some more “I’m just singing in my head.”
Grunting, Dean opened the door. He smiled when he immediately saw Brian in Ellen’s arms. “El? What’s going on?” He raised his eyes to see Josh. “Hey, Josh.”
“Job,” Josh said. “Watch kids.”
Ellen smiled. “I thought we’d bring the sitter and the baby here.”
The smack of the hand against the door brought Frank. “Yeah.” He pushed the door open. “Mess up your house instead of mine.”
Surprised, Dean shifted his eyes to Frank who walked in after Ellen and Josh. “El, what’s he doing here?”
Frank answered, “Saying hi to the twins before the meeting.” He walked into the living room. “Hey, guys. Alex, go to the bathroom.”
Ellen giggled watching Frank kiss the kids and talk for a moment with them. She ignored Dean’s whispering of her name.
Frank stood up. “Ready?” he asked, walking to Ellen.
Dean grabbed hold of Ellen’s arm as she started to follow Frank. “Frank, could I bring her to the meeting? I have to talk to El about something really fast.”
“All right. But don’t dally.” Frank kissed Ellen. “See you there.” He moved to the door. “Josh. Do a good job.”
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 174