by G S Binkley
“Hold on there.” Mark stopped her. He spared a quick look in the small box then pocketed it. “Thanks. Wanted it to be a surprise.”
“No problem.” Gage moved away and was jerked back suddenly.
“Hey, what’s the hurry?” Still holding on to his impatient partner. “I hoped you’d go over a few things while they’re rehearsing.”
Squinting her green eyes at her friend, Gage said. “Mark, we’re tight and I’d do anything for ya… which I just did.” Nodding to the small parcel in his pocket. “But, nothing and no one gets in the way of me finding my woman.”
Mark ignored the teasing sneer on his friend’s face. “Later?”
She nodded. “Right after I tell her I’m back. You know, you made me miss lunch with her. I can’t believe all that traffic. Sure, quick trip there and back.”
Mark chuckled at the serious look on his friend’s face. “What can I do to make it up to you?”
“A million dollars to start.” Gage teased.
“You got it.”
The blonde paused only a millisecond pondering if he was serious before she headed off to find her partner. Gage ducked every technician, carpenter, prop person and stray actor there was as she flew through the set. Rounding the last corner, she met Lacy’s relieved eyes. Staring at each other across the set, the couple was oblivious to everyone else there.
Ryan took quick note of the exchange then dismissed it as he had things to do. It was Boyd who squinted his beady brown eyes and smiled. Standing up your woman once, she may forgive you but twice? Let me see what I can do about that.
Lacy and Gage mouthed ‘I love yous’ before the blonde waved and mouthed. ‘Mark’s expecting me.’ Gage didn’t want to interfere with the production. She remembered all too clearly the day of Lacy and Koda Kannon’s big love scene. When Gage’s jealous rage got the best of her, she bolted onto the set and made a fool of herself. Something she vowed never to do again.
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Gage met up with Mark in his studio office. “This is nice.”
“Sure you don’t want one?” He pushed aside some papers he was perusing.
“Nah. Be spending most of my time on the set or in the trailer with Lacy and the kids.” Gage plopped down in the wooden chair. “What’d ya need from me?”
Mark and Gage went over a few last minute items regarding set changes, an electrical problem and making sure that everyone on the cast and crew were being notified when and where to report. It was like juggling a hundred bowling pins all at once. It was a good thing Mark had so much experience running a multi-million dollar company. Gage admitted to Mark that she was clueless.
So, at first, Mark thought Gage was nervous about all of the plans he was going over but something told him there was something else gnawing at his friend. “What’s on your mind?”
“Like I said…. all of this is….foreign to me.” Gage drooped back against her chair. His concerned blue eyes repeated the question. Shoulders slumping, Gage decided to seek his advice. She fiddled with the ring on her finger, remembering their wedding day. “Lacy….. “ Looking up, she continued. “It’s all my fault you know. Her career’s been ….”
“I thought that was her decision.”
Throwing Mark a knowing look, she pursed her lips. “It was the only decision she could make… with me in the picture.”
Mark leaned up against his desk. “She wouldn’t be in this picture if it wasn’t because of you.” He stood up and crossed around his desk, resting on its edge. “This role is a perfect opportunity for Lacy to showcase the depth of her talents. We’ve got a winner here, Gage. Ahhh…ahhh..” Waving a dismissive finger at her protest. “You can’t tell me she’d change these last few years with you.”
“Neither would I.” Gage stretched out her legs and crossed them. “Why …. why in the world does it have to matter? Why does it have to affect your life, your career…. your children?” Jumping up, Gage twisted sharply around as she thought of how the children might be tormented or teased because of her and Lacy’s relationship. “What the fuck do they know about our love anyway?” Unshed tears rushed to her eyes.
“Gage.” Mark placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Refusing to meet his eyes, Gage remained in place, fuming at the prospect of society’s attitude, moral judgment and condemning eye looking down on them. This from a God loving nation of people.
Fully understanding his friend’s dilemma, Mark gently turned her around. He pulled her closer, wrapping his soothing arms around her. “Let me think about this?” Taking a chance, Mark whispered. “I’ll get back to you on it, okay?” Relief consoled him when Gage muffled a small laugh.
**********************
When Mark and Gage arrived on the set at the end of the day, Shanti yelled over at them. “You guys want to come, too?” A small group including Michael, Ben, Shonnel and Boyd surrounded her.
Mark raised his eyebrows in question as Gage watched her lover sashay toward her.
“We’re all going to Heyduke’s.” Realizing Mark was unfamiliar with the name of the establishment, she informed him. “It’s a bar… couple of blocks from here.”
“Maybe another time.” Mark begged off.
Lacy welcomed her lover with a kiss. “I declined for both of us if that’s okay?”
“Mmmmm…. bar full of drunks or a houseful of kids.” Gage pretended to wage one idea against the other. “I’ll take the kids any day. Besides, I’ve missed them.”
“And they’ve missed you, I’m sure. Even Sammy.” Lacy added before Gage did.
“Ryan… you coming?” The handsome young Michael called to his boss.
Waving a dismissing hand, Ryan White never took his eyes off the paper in front of him. “Go on… I’ll catch up with you later.” Finally, he looked up, searching for the man who could answer his pending questions. “Mark? You got a minute?”
“See you two tomorrow.” Mark said to the couple before meeting up with Ryan.
Gage turned to Lacy. “It’s been a long day, huh?”
“Yeah, and it’s not over yet.” Hand in hand, they headed through the studio set to their car. “I’m sure the kids will be bounding with energy when we get home.”
“You’re right.” The blonde sighed, offering a rhetorical question. “How many more days are left on this film?”
Chapter Eight
The rest of the week and weekend flew by. Lacy and Gage met profound fatigue up close and personal. During the four years since her show ended, Lacy had temporarily forgotten about how hectic making ‘magic’ was. Gage’s only experience making movies was when Lacy was making her movie with Koda Kannon shortly after they met. Her only responsibility was taking care of Dani and Derek while Lacy worked. The short stint where she replaced Mark in New Orleans, when he went back to New York after finding out his brother-in-law was alive, was relatively easy. Ryan did most of the work. It would have been a piece of cake if Griff hadn’t been on the set causing trouble. Gage smiled fondly as she remembered when Lacy, her pregnant knight in shining armor, came to rescue her from the raging, flaming redhead just in the nick of time.
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The couple arrived early on set with Stella and the kids. They helped the nanny settle the two sleeping ones before heading off to shoot the upcoming scene.
“Mom, I get to go, right?” Dani’s wide blue eyes questioned her mother. “I know this isn’t the dance scene but….you’ll have to kinda like…. dance.” Dani was referring to the scene in the movie where Jordan has to step in for the photo shoot and pose for the cover of a magazine since the assigned models never showed. “Just in case, you need some technical advice about it.”
After being exposed to millions of flashbulbs popping and camera’s snapping, Lacy smiled at her daughter’s offer. “Will you? That would be so cool. I’m not used to having someone take my picture.”
“Oh, mom.” Dani whined. “You don’t have to be so sarcastic.
” The young girl was out the door and headed straight to the set as if was born to lead.
“Sweetheart, this could be trouble.” Lacy teased.
Glancing at the sleeping duo then to Lacy, Gage replied. “With you guys, there’s always trouble.” The blonde made her way out of the trailer.
The nanny was the only one who heard Lacy when she pondered out loud. “Whatever am I going to do with her?”
“Apparently whatever you want.” Stella wielded the smart aleck but accurate remark.
Flabbergasted by Stella’s statement, Lacy swung around before agreeing with the nanny. “You got that right.”
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Several hours later, Lacy waited patiently while the crew switched a few lights and cameras. It turned out that some of Dani’s advice was very helpful. When Ryan wasn’t satisfied with the lighting during one of the takes, he called. “Cut.”
Dani yanked out the magazine she had hidden somewhere and approached the director. This was nothing new to Ryan since Dani practically grew up on his mother’s show. The one he helped direct. “Ryan, see.” She pointed to the latest, greatest teen magazine. “How the lighting is casting shadows in the background…. like it gives off that ethereal effect.”
Stunned, Ryan stared at the bright young girl then to her mother.
Lacy peered over his shoulder and agreed. “She’s right.”
“I… I… agree.” Ryan confessed. After Dani strutted off to talk with the lighting technicians, he scratched his head. The director frowned at Lacy and reluctantly asked. “What does ethereal mean?”
Cast and crew held it for as long as they could before bursting out in a hardy laugh. Gage joined in though she felt sorry for the director and felt a bit of an accomplice. Over the weekend Gage searched the dictionary for that very word when Dani walked in. She was bored and decided that torturing Gage would kill sometime. Instead, they discussed the story Gage was writing about an angel. It was then Dani learned the definition of the word.
Gage was so lost in the moment she didn’t notice Mark approach. His hand on her shoulder startled her. “Ohhh… hi!”
“Can we talk?” His voice was stone serious. “I got a call.”
Mark and Gage quietly discussed the call. “If we do this, I know him, he’d feel he owes me. That may end up helping Lacy’s career in the long run if we go along with his request.”
Reluctantly, Gage agreed. This is going to be a real pain and Lacy will never understand but….. Mark’s right.
***********************
It was a hectic day on the movie set with plenty of extras for the runway scene. After a difficult morning, the director called for a late lunch. Lacy was a bit on edge this morning and Ryan allowed the irritable actor extra time while the crew made some set changes.
Due to the morning scenes running late, Lacy had lunch alone. She desperately wanted to talk with Gage but when she returned to the trailer, Lacy found a note from Gage. It read.
L,
Stella’s sick. I’m going home to pick up the kids and bring them
back. Eat something… it’s in the fridge.
Love, G
The food and the time alone did temporarily soothe her unbundling nerves. When filming started in the afternoon, Lacy’s stomach had settled some. She anxiously watched for her partner’s return and prayed the rest of the day went smoothly. God, I can’t wait to get home and fall into her arms.
Gage talked a reluctant Mark into sitting with the kids in the trailer so they could eat the take out she got for them while she went to let Lacy know she was back. Gage hated to leave her ailing partner though there was nothing she could do when the nanny called.
The blonde arrived at an opportune time. Ryan had just yelled ‘cut’ and the crew busied themselves changing the set. It was a quick change so Lacy and Gage only had a few minutes.
Ignoring everyone else on the set, Gage missiled toward her lover. “Hey.” Grasping her partner’s hand, Gage led Lacy away, hoping for a clandestine rendezvous. “Come with me.” The blonde whirled her lover around and up against the wall. Pressing the full length of her body against Lacy, Gage kissed her. Her arms wrapped tightly around the actor and breathed deeply the scent of her woman after she broke the kiss. “Let’s not ever be away from each other that long again.”
Lacy giggled in between her nibbling of the blonde’s neck. “It was what… a couple of hours.”
“Too long.” Gage captured the willing lips again.
Pressing their heads together, Lacy asked. “Stella?”
“She’s fine… still feeling the effects of the flu.”
“The kids?” Sharing a few quick kisses between the questions and answers.
“Mark’s watching them while they eat.” Lacy moaned as Gage’s hand roamed down her side then back up coming to rest perilously close to her left breast.
“Don’t go there.”
Gage pouted.
“This dress….” Lacy was wearing a sleek white evening gown for the runway scene. “…is so sheer…. you’re making me wet already.”
“Oh…..” A triumphant smile dawned on the blonde’s face. “So, you’re telling me…..”
Lacy stopped her partner’s all-out assault. “Later.” The dark haired woman saw the disappointment in her partner’s green eyes. “Sweetheart, I just want to get this day over with so we can go home and …..” Lacy kissed her lover deeply. “… relax.”
“Okay….. feeling better?”
“With you near I always feel better.” Lacy heard the director calling for her.
Gage placed a quick kiss on her partner’s lips before she said. “Good. I’ll get the kids and watch… if that’s okay?”
“More than okay.” Even after she heard Ryan yell across the room that they needed her now, Lacy refused to budge until she tasted the sweet lips of her lover once again. Now, I feel much better.
***********************
When Gage arrived back on set with the kids, she ushered them over to some seats a short distance away. Dani was in heaven. She couldn’t wait to see all the frilly dresses the models wore for the big scene. Derek sat quietly, heeding his hero’s request while his mom worked. Gage held the wiggling two year old on her lap as she whispered in his ear. As he pointed to different spots on the set before him, Gage identified what each thing was.
Lacy waited patiently off to the side for her cue. Her headache had returned, extending to the pit of her stomach. If I can just make it through this last scene flawlessly then I can go home.
The very astute director pulled Lacy aside before the scene and informed her that after they finished it he wouldn’t need her for the rest of the day. The many years of Ryan’s close working and personal relationship with Lacy was enough for him to be tuned into how his actor was feeling. So, after a little bit of mental juggling, Ryan directed Michael to take care of the necessary arrangements.
The upbeat music permeated the room as each model strolled down the runway. When it was Lacy turn to march down the catwalk, every eye turned to her. As she sauntered along, her sense of confidence was building. Twenty more feet and I’m home.
Gage’s pointed finger to Lacy caught Sammy’s blue eyes. Before the blonde realized it, the young agile boy slipped from her lap and raced to his mother. “Momma! Momma.”
At first, no one in the crowd heard him over the din. Desperate to retrieve her young charge, Gage did just that, charged after him. Like a seasoned racecar driver, Sammy shuffled, evaded and slipped through several of the crew’s legs. His small body met less resistance than Gage’s larger frame.
Ryan was the first to hear the scuffle behind him and turned just in time to see the dark haired boy whiz past him on a direct course to his mother. And, that’s when he noticed the cameraman making his scheduled move as Lacy neared the end of the runway.
“Momma!”
Even without seeing her son’s approach or hearing him, her mother’s instinct kicked in. Lacy�
�s keen laser blue eyes scanned the mass of movie equipment and crew before her. Spotting her son and even with four-inch heels on, Lacy rushed to him, scooping him up before the oblivious cameraman trampled the little boy.
The very concerned and emotionally near the edge mother met her son’s beaming eyes. “Love you, momma.” Sammy jumped into her arms.
Kneeling down on the floor, Lacy hugged him back. “I love you, too.” She said, and kissed him. Relief washed over her but the pounding headache and upset stomach bit at her last nerve. Seeing Gage, Lacy stood up, still holding her son.
“Sorry.” Gage offered apologetically.
When the blonde attempted to retrieve the small boy who had interrupted the costly scene, Lacy refused. “Dani! Come here.”
Her daughter did as Lacy requested and took her brother from his mother.
“Take him and Derek back to the trailers…” She ordered then softened her tone. “Okay?” After Dani nodded, Lacy turned to the assistant director. “Michael, would you escort them there?”
It only took a few seconds for Michael to round up the children and guide them off the set. To Gage, it seemed like a lifetime. She felt the burning heat of the movie lights sear through her but they were nothing compared to the look Lacy shot her way.
“Gage!” Lacy’s sharp voice sliced easily through steel armor Gage wished she was now wearing.
Gage prepared for the worse. This can’t bode well for me. She usually calls me sweetheart.
The actor sucked in a deep breath in a vain attempt to calm her fragile nerves. She knew they would have to repeat the whole scene again. What would have been the last take in her mind falsely escalated into a dozen more takes. Feeling the ill effects of the hammering in her head and nervous stomach, Lacy needed a place, in this case, someone to lash out at. And, Gage provided the perfect target. Rubbing her forehead, the dark haired woman ploughed ahead. “Gage Ballant!” Lacy fumed. “Ahggg….. Now, we’re going to have to take time to re-shoot the whole damn thing… not to mention the extra cost….” Her arms shot down to her side as she slammed her eyes in frustration. “One simple little thing... like watching my children while I work…. Can’t you handle that….even Stella does a better job than……..” Finally, opening her eyes, blue met the shocked and embarrassed green ones that halted Lacy from her tirade.