by Margaret Kay
“The flu hit us hard. We had three analysts sick at the same time,” Shepherd said. He was thoughtful for a few seconds, considering it. “And if I need you in the office during a specific week, John, we shift one of the five to field duty that week.”
Cooper nodded. “I know we have five or six cases in the hopper since December that we haven’t been able to work on. Lambchop and I think this model will allow the agency to engage in more cases while still fulfilling our commitments to the DEA and Homeland and allowing those with families to be home more.”
“I think it’s worth trying. We’ll begin it the week after Delta Team gets back from their leave,” Shepherd said.
Lambchop and Cooper came to their feet. They knew they’d just been dismissed. “Thanks, Shep,” Lambchop said. Once in the hall with the office door closed, Lambchop spoke. “Are you happy with that outcome?”
“Any percent in the field more than fifty makes me happy.”
“I have a meeting with Delta Team in a few minutes. Will you be around to discuss the wedding plans around twelve hundred?”
“Yes, come to my office. I assume you already know where they want their wedding to take place?”
“Yes, but I will double check it with them during our meeting.”
Lambchop took the stairs to subbasement two and the gym. He held most of his team meetings there, so they could get in their PT requirements while they met. He breezed through the men’s locker room, changing into his workout clothes, and then joined the men at the weight benches. He was the last to arrive. They were already lifting as he approached.
“Glad you started without me. I was in with Shepherd. He approved next Saturday, the fourteenth for the agency to shut down for your weddings.”
“Fantastic! Kaylee will be so happy,” Sloan said.
“Thanks, Lambchop,” Sherman said.
“And Shepherd is giving the entire team leave until Monday the twenty-third.”
“Hell yeah!” Mother exclaimed. “Annaka and I have talked about taking a tropical vacation.”
“Kaylee and I are going to spend a week in Hawaii. She’s been doing some research, found this great five-star resort on the beach with an amazing pool, multiple bars, and restaurants. The room she is looking at is a suite with a balcony. We can order room service and we can sit out on our balcony overlooking the ocean and have coffee and eat breakfast,” Sloan said.
“Wow, that sounds amazing,” Sherman said. “I’m not sure if Brielle has looked into a place for us to honeymoon or not.”
“Come with us,” Sloan urged. “It’ll be fun if we go together.”
Mother laughed out loud. “You’re missing the point of what a honeymoon is supposed to be, Sloan.”
“Even if Sherman and Brielle are there too, I’m sure we’ll get a lot of time alone. Besides, we’ve been living together for nearly six months. It’s not like we’ve never slept together, so I don’t think the true nature of what a honeymoon is supposed to be applies to us.”
The three others laughed.
“I think you’d better ask Kaylee how she feels about that before you invite anyone to join you on your honeymoon,” Lambchop said. “She is onboard with the double wedding ceremony, not sure if she’ll extend that to the honeymoon.”
“I think she might,” Sloan argued. “Hell, Mother, you and Annaka should come too. We could make it a trip for the entire team.” His gaze settled back on Lambchop. “You should invite Michaela to come. I can think of nowhere better than in paradise for you to make a move with her.”
“Michaela and I are just friends,” Lambchop insisted. He wouldn’t tell them that it was her choice for it to remain that way.
“Both of you have feelings that go way beyond just friends,” Sherman said. “Anyone with eyes can see that.”
“We’re not having this conversation again,” Lambchop said firmly. He changed the subject. “And when we get back, we are going to try a new staffing model that should give everyone a better balance of time at home and in the field. There are six cases backlogged that we need to try to knock out in addition to the DEA Partner Missions.”
“Isn’t Charlie Team supposed to be taking on more of those?” Sherman asked.
“Yes, that is part of the new staffing model. I know Shepherd wanted to give Echo Team time to come up to speed on the Power Grid Protection Project before pulling Charlie Team away two weeks out of the month. Hopefully, they will get caught up on that. I know Shepherd doesn’t like us to get behind on any projects.”
“Too much work isn’t a bad thing,” Sloan said. “But if I can be home a little more, I’d like that.”
“After we finish this meeting and our PT, you can all go. Sloan and Sherman, I do want to meet with you and Brielle and Kaylee at some point in the next two days about the wedding. I’ll be meeting with Cooper this afternoon to write up the plan and security concerns for Shepherd. Has anything changed on the venue since we talked last?”
“No,” Sloan answered. “Kaylee and Brielle are both okay with having it in the empty suite on the second floor. They already know how they will decorate it, have priced rental chairs and tables and need only a week’s notice for them and the catered dinner. I think we’re lucky that suite is still empty.”
Lambchop chuckled. He knew that Shepherd was not happy that his building was not one hundred percent rented, more lost revenue. “Do you think your families will have any problems with two weeks’ notice to drive in?” He asked Sloan.
“It shouldn’t be an issue,” he replied.
“Why don’t we get together tonight so we can talk about the wedding?” Sherman posed. “Brielle was going to make up some Jambalaya, red beans, and rice. She can make a double batch and we can have dinner for the team and the women. We can talk about the wedding and the team trip after.”
Lambchop snickered. “Only after you clear that with both your wives-to- be! Seriously, I don’t think Kaylee and Brielle are going to want a group honeymoon.”
Sherman and Sloan both shrugged.
Mike
Lambchop brought a case of beer to Sherman’s. Jambalaya, red beans, and rice sounded amazing. He knew that Brielle was a great cook. He arrived a half hour before Mother and Annaka were due. Sloan and Kaylee were already there. The five of them sat at the table and went over the wedding plans. Because both Sherman and Sloan wanted the other to be their best man, a double wedding ceremony was planned. Both the couples would be in front of Lambchop at the altar together.
Both Kaylee and Sloan’s families would be in attendance. Kaylee would walk down the aisle first, escorted by her father. But Brielle didn’t want to invite her family.
“Brielle, are you sure you are okay with having this ceremony without your father and your sister in attendance?” Lambchop asked.
Brielle shot him her best ‘are you serious?’ glare. “Yes, completely sure. They are not a part of my life and haven’t been for a long time.”
“I know you communicate with your sister. You sent her Christmas gifts.”
“I haven’t closed the door on that relationship, but it is not a close one either.”
“Dahlia was not kind to Brielle when she told her about the baby and our wedding,” Sherman said.
“Bobby will escort me down the aisle,” Brielle said. “Not that I need anyone to give me away. It’s stupid and merely symbolic, but I want to honor Bobby by having him do it.”
Lambchop nodded. He hoped she would not regret one day that her sister was not there to celebrate this life event. “You have a plan. And you will each write your own vows?”
All four of them smiled and nodded.
He turned to the next page on his pad of paper. A rough drawing of the space and how they would set it up was sketched out. The room was long and narrow. “So, the altar is here so we create a long aisle for the brides to walk down. Sloan you will be on the right, Sherman you will wait on the left. Kaylee’s dad will hand her off to you in the front and then take a seat in
the row of chairs behind you. Same for Bobby after he escorts Brielle down the aisle. I’ll say a short prayer about the commitment of marriage, about love and the joining of your lives. Short, sweet, and to the point. Then Kaylee followed by Sloan will say their vows. We’ll do their double ring ceremony. Then it will be your turn.” His eyes went to Brielle and Sherman. I will say one more prayer and then pronounce you husbands and wives. Sherman and Brielle will lead the recession back up the aisle.”
He glanced at the four faces. Everyone looked good with the plan.
“We’ll need someone to set up the tables and chairs for dinner while we have appetizers after the ceremony,” Kaylee said. “I wish that suite was big enough to have a separate room already set up for dinner.”
“Don’t worry about that. Alpha team will have that covered. I’m sure Mother and I will pitch in too. It’ll be seamless,” Lambchop said.
“It’ll be perfect, babe,” Sloan said, giving her a hug. “It’ll be the wedding you dreamed of.”
“Okay, if there is anything else that comes to mind that you want me to do or not do during the ceremony, let me know,” Lambchop offered.
“I don’t want you asking my dad who gives this woman like they do sometimes,” Kaylee said. “He escorts me down the aisle, kisses my cheek, and then sits his ass down.”
Lambchop had to chuckle. That was so Kaylee. “Got it, don’t ask him if he gives you away. Not his place.”
Kaylee flashed him a grin. “I didn’t mean it that way, but no, it’s not.”
“And don’t ask if anyone knows of any reasons we can’t be married. Not anyone’s business,” Brielle added.
Lambchop had to chuckle again. “Did you tell the ladies about your week off for your honeymoon trips?”
“I wish he would have given us two weeks, but you did just have off after Christmas,” Kaylee said.
“Could you even get off work for two weeks?” Brielle asked her.
“It would be frowned on, but it is my wedding.”
“I’m happy with the week,” Brielle said.
“And the ladies are good with a group trip,” Sloan said with a smile.
Lambchop was surprised. “You are?” He said, his eyes focused on Kaylee.
“Yes. I’m sure we’ll get lots of time alone. And let’s face it, you guys are like a family. I can’t imagine us going without you.” She grabbed her bag and opened her laptop. She brought up the resort’s website. “Look at this place. It is beautiful.” She turned the laptop so Lambchop could see the screen.
Brielle leaned in and looked. “This place is great. I haven’t even thought about where we’d take a honeymoon trip.” She shrugged. “I wasn’t even sure if we’d get enough time off to go anywhere.”
Sherman wrapped his arm around her. “Of course, we’re going on a trip.”
“After Gary asked me about this being a group trip, I sent the link to both Brielle and Annaka.”
Lambchop looked over the photos. The resort was beautiful. “I really should go home to Pittsburgh. I was only home for three days after Christmas.”
The doorbell rang. Sherman got up and let Mother and Annaka in.
“Please come too,” Kaylee begged. “It’s important the team has this trip. I understand how close you four are.”
Lambchop was touched that she felt that way. He still couldn’t believe she was on board with this group trip. “I’ll think about it.”
“And invite Michaela to come,” Brielle said with a smile. “She didn’t take a break at Christmas either, you know.”
No, he didn’t know that.
“Yes, invite Michaela,” Annaka said as she joined the group.
Hugs were exchanged. Wine was poured, beers were opened, and dinner was dished up. Brielle’s Jambalaya, red beans, and rice were amazing. With all the talk of the wedding and team vacation, Lambchop was excited. He hoped Michaela would agree to go with them.
The next morning when Lambchop got to the office, he went straight to Michaela’s lab and entered the code to unlock the lab door. Then he poked his head in. He made eye contact with her. “Hi, do you have a minute?”
Michaela smiled wide, always happy to see Landon. “Hi. I do. Come on in.”
Lambchop entered and approached her. She sat poised on the edge of a stool, leaning over the worktable. “How do you feel?”
“Much better. I haven’t been hit with the flu that hard in a few years. Thank you again for bringing the soup and everything. That was very thoughtful of you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you feel better.” He glanced over the pistol she had secured in the vice grip on the worktable. “How’s it going?”
“Good,” she said with a nod. “I’m almost ready to take it down to the range and test fire it. If you’re free in about an hour, would you like to watch?”
“I would love to.” Lambchop looked it over. “I got word that Shepherd has approved next Saturday as a day we can shut down. I’ll marry both Sherman and Brielle and Sloan and Kaylee.”
“That is fantastic news. Will Sloan and Kaylee’s families be able to make it in?”
“Yes, they should be able to.”
“I’m so happy for them,” Michaela said.
“All of Delta Team has been granted a week of leave. We’re all going to Hawaii for their honeymoon trip.”
Michaela laughed. “Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of a honeymoon?”
Lambchop laughed as well. “Well, Mother and Annaka want to get away to someplace warm too. And we are a team.”
“So, you’re going with the three couples,” Michaela said with a smile beaming at him.
“Come with me, as friends only, separate rooms,” he suggested. “You didn’t take your Christmas break. I’m going to invite someone to hang with. I’d like it to be you.”
“You’re not serious.” The expression on her face was horrified.
“I most certainly am. Come on, Hawaii, warmth, sand, palm trees.”
“Landon, I don’t know. What will people think?”
“I can’t believe you just asked that. Seriously, Michaela? Who cares what anyone thinks?”
“I’m sure there are those who suspect we are involved. Going on vacation together could solidify that inaccurate thinking.”
“Again, so what? We know what we are and what we are not. That’s all that matters.”
“Landon, I know you don’t understand why it’s different for me than it is for you.” She slid off the stool and stepped over to him.
“It shouldn’t be any different.”
She laid her hands onto his chest. “Landon, please respect how I feel about this.”
“Respect that you are passing up on an opportunity to go to Hawaii because you care what a few people might think? Seriously? Anyone who works Ops and sees the tracker report that is given to Shepherd daily, knows that we spend time together outside of work. They also know we don’t sleep together, not all night anyway. Shepherd knows we are just friends, not that it matters to him. The nonfraternization regulation is null and void at this point. So, who else is it you’re worried about?”
Michaela breathed out the heaviness that was in her chest. She didn’t like conflict. And she didn’t want to hurt Landon’s feelings. He was a good friend. “I don’t know. I guess it is not a specific person. I just don’t want there to be a widespread misbelief that I get involved with coworkers. That’s just a personal tenet I hold dear.”
“And I know that. I’m not asking you to come as a date. I’m asking you to come as my friend who I think could really use a vacation. If it were Angel, Yvette, or Madison asking. You’d go.”
Michaela was thoughtful for a moment. “You’re not wrong about that. And I could use a vacation.”
“Is that a yes?”
Michaela cracked a small smile. “It’s an, I’ll think about it.”
Later that day, the three members of Charlie Team arrived at the office. Brielle sat in and took notes as they had a pre-missi
on briefing. Nashville was the destination. Heroin laced fentanyl was being distributed that was causing more overdoses than usual. The DEA had bumped up the priority of this mission when the bodies started to pile up.
They packed up their gear before they headed home. Lambchop was happy he’d get to sleep in his own bed before they headed out the next morning. He went to bed early and was in a deep sleep when his phone rang. He checked the display and sighed. It was Shereese. It was past midnight in Pittsburgh. This couldn’t be good. He said a quick prayer and then answered. “Hi Shereese.”
“I’m sorry to call so late.” Her voice was stressed. “I didn’t know what else to do.”