“Oh?” Joanna knew there was a strain in the relationship, since Ariel hardly ever talked about Kiernan when she called and quickly changed the subject when Joanna brought up her name.
“She says she wants us to date so we can learn more about each other.”
This surprised Joanna. “What does she mean—date?”
Ariel stirred her tea and explained what Kiernan had proposed. At the end, Joanna said, “It sounds as if she’s willing to try for more than the current arrangement. How do you feel about this?”
“Part of me resents her for what she did. Another part—we will have a child together, and I think it’s important we at least be on friendlier terms.”
Joanna took a sip of tea before saying, “I agree. Both you and Kiernan will be the biggest part of this child’s life. She’ll pick up on any strain in your relationship—that can be hard on a child.”
“I’m going to set some guidelines. Kiernan—she has a tendency to want to run things, and I’m not going to let her do that. If she’s serious, she won’t object to some things I want.” There was a sureness of purpose in Ariel’s voice, and her expression was one of certainty, leaving no doubt that she meant what she said.
Joanna brought the cup up to her mouth to take a sip of tea, but in actuality, she was attempting to hide her smile. The old Ariel, the stubborn, persistent one, was starting to re-emerge, and Joanna couldn’t feel more delighted. She’d been so worried about her for so long, but Ariel was finally showing her true strength again. It appeared Kiernan O’Shay would need to learn how to bend. A lot.
KIERNAN HAD FINISHED dinner earlier and was now in her study checking her correspondence when the telecom beeped. She answered and perked up when she saw the silver-hair and gamine features of her cousin on the view-screen. “Beverly, how are you?”
Beverly’s hazel eyes sparkled. “I’m doing great. So, cuz, I see you’ve been busy these past couple of months.”
“My, my, news sure gets around, doesn’t it?”
“I was shocked, until I remembered this is Kiernan Deirdre O’Shay, and nothing should shock me where you’re concerned.”
“Well, I do have a reputation to maintain. I can’t let that slide.”
Beverly Markos was Kiernan’s second cousin on her grandfather Philip Markos’ side of the family. He had been Shanna O’Shay’s significant other. Beverly was a year older than Kiernan and had always been prematurely gray, making her a striking woman with her youthful appearance, olive complexion, and hazel eyes. She was a lawyer in Atlanta and headed the World Equity Foundation, the best known pro bono group in the solar system which did work for the poor guaranteeing their basic rights of fair and decent wages, housing, medical care, and property.
“Kiernan, your wedding has got to be the story of the year. Every time I go online to check the news, I see photos of you or your beautiful wife featured on every supposedly inside scoop.”
Kiernan grimaced. “I hope the photos do me justice. I know there couldn’t be a bad photo of Ariel in existence. Don’t tell me the hogwash in that—fiction.”
“I only look at the pictures. I don’t read or listen to the gossip.”
“Ha! Sure you don’t. So, what can I do for you, cuz?”
“It’s that time again, the dinner for the fundraiser. I have been sending you reminders for the past month and still haven’t gotten your confirmation.”
The fundraiser had become one of the biggest social events, not only in the South, but also in the world. Only the wealthiest could afford to attend the one-hundred-thousand-dollar-a-plate dinner. Kiernan also privately gave an additional generous donation every year.
“Uh—I’ve been busy.”
“Yes. I imagine you have been—busy.” Her laugh was throaty and Kiernan rolled her eyes. “It’s being held at the Norwood Country Club in Marietta, and I’ve already reserved a place for you and the missus.”
“Sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am. You know I would never forgive you if you missed.”
“We’ll be there. When is it again?”
Beverly gave her an incredulous look and said with a slight admonishing tone, “God, Kiernan, come down from your honeymoon high. Since when have you ever not known well in advance when the fundraiser is? It’s two weeks away. November 16th.”
“I’ll mark it on my calendar.”
“Hey, that’s great. I can’t wait to meet Ariel. She must be special if she can make you forget an important date.”
“Oh, that she is.” Kiernan winked.
“I’ll let you go. I don’t want to keep you away from your wife. Give my best to the missus. The poor thing—being married to you.”
Kiernan returned a Cheshire cat grin. “Give my best to Helen. Tell her I know a good divorce lawyer.”
Dr. Helen Ortiz was Beverly’s wife. She was a contagious disease specialist at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Beverly stuck out her tongue and disconnected the call.
Kiernan tapped her fingers on the desktop. This would be their first social event together and Ariel’s first introduction to a part of Kiernan’s society. She had no doubt Ariel had the ability to carry it off. But there would be those present who might view her as an upstart and believe she married Kiernan for her money and status. She would need to be vigilant and be there for Ariel.
When Ariel came home, Kiernan would inform her about the event. She hoped Ariel remembered the part of the agreement where she would treat her with respect. She didn’t expect Ariel to fawn all over her, but it would be nice if she were to show a modicum of liking.
“MISS ARIEL,” MRS. Belfort said, “if you like, I can heat some leftovers from dinner for you to take up to your suite.”
“No thanks, I’ve already eaten.” She’d treated her mother and two siblings to dinner at Salty Dog’s, and after dining, took the long route home, so they could enjoy riding in her car. The twins could barely squeeze into the seats in the back, but they hadn’t complained except to say they wanted the top down.
Mrs. Belfort said, “Well then, I’m done for the night. Have a pleasant evening.”
“Thanks, you too. Ah—Is Kiernan in her study?”
“No, she retired to her suite around an hour ago.”
“Have a good night.” Ariel climbed the stairs and paused at Kiernan’s door, wondering whether she was still up or asleep. She didn’t want to knock loudly and wake her, so she rapped lightly on the door.
“Enter.”
Inside, she saw Kiernan relaxing in her recliner, dressed in a peach-colored robe and holding an e-reader which she placed on the chair arm. She pushed the chair down and stood.
“Sorry if I’m interrupting,” Ariel said, “If it’s okay, I would like to talk.”.
“You didn’t interrupt. Will you have a seat? Can I get you something to drink, a juice, or soda?”
“No, thank you.” Ariel took a seat at the end of the sofa, and Kiernan settled in at the other end. “I thought about what you said—about dating—and I’m willing to do that under certain conditions.”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
Ariel set her features and voice to sternness. “There will be no more of you trying to control my life, or this marriage, and making all the decisions. We will make them together when it concerns our marriage—and that of the child we will raise together.”
“I agree, we need to make decisions together that concern our future and that of our baby.”
“I’m serious, Kiernan, there will be no more of you trying to order me around—or telling me who I can visit, where I can go, and what I can wear.”
“If I do that—you let me know.”
“Don’t worry, I most certainly will.” Ariel hesitated and her voice softened. “I’ll concede you did have a point about the possibility of the paparazzi tailing me. I’ll endeavor to be careful and try to behave in a way that doesn’t result in scandal.” Ariel couldn’t help but be
amused by the thought that what she did was now newsworthy.
Kiernan must have seen Ariel’s amusement. “I’m not worried about that so much. I’m more concerned about your safety. You can do something completely innocent and the media will concoct some wild and outlandish story far removed from what happened. I would appreciate one thing though. When you get that tattoo could you have it in a discreet place to avoid it being splattered on every media outlet between Earth and Jupiter?”
Ariel mentally cringed when remembering telling that to Kiernan, and the circumstances. At the same time, she thought it amusing Kiernan had taken her threat seriously. “No need to worry. I’m not into body art—so no tattoo.” Relief passed over Kiernan’s features and Ariel couldn’t help but add, “Yet.”
Kiernan must have figured Ariel was pulling her leg and said, “Can I pick out the design?”
“Hmm, as long as it’s not pink bunnies or bloody daggers stabbing a heart.”
“Damn. There go my first two choices.”
Ariel chuckled before changing the subject to something she needed to say. “Kiernan, I know the one driving force in your life is to fulfill your dream. I know you believe you have no choice but to adhere to the stipulation in your grandmother’s will if you want that dream to come true. Your grandmother was cruel to do that to you. That said, I do think you had, and now have, a choice in the methods you use in trying to achieve that goal. I feel resentment toward you—and you know why. But I’m willing to work on being friends.”
Kiernan stayed silent, but Ariel saw the emotions race across her face: a swift flash of anger, of regret, and sadness.
Kiernan studied the floor as if debating what to reply. Finally, she lifted her eyes to Ariel’s. “Thanks for your honesty. All I’m asking is for you to give us a chance to become friends.”
Ariel saw the sincerity in the unwavering gaze and heard it in Kiernan’s voice. She nodded. “Let’s get back to the topic of dating. I was thinking we could take turns making suggestions about what to do.”
“That sounds good, and I’ll have no problems with that. Might I make a suggestion?”
“Yes, of course.”
“When we’re not actively engaged in dating, do you think you might have dinner during the week with me here at home? I would prefer your company at the dinner table, and we can talk about our day and what we did.”
“I would be willing to do that.” Ariel glanced away for a second, swallowing nervously before saying, “This dating thing—I don’t wish it to include sex—at this time.” Ariel realized she left the door open for the possibility of sex occurring in the future. A little devil part of her said, “Well, you never know,” while her angel of reason warned, “Danger. Enter at your own risk.”
Kiernan said, “I don’t expect that. I won’t pressure you, and I’ll take your lead in that matter.”
If Kiernan was willing to include the physical, Ariel needed to stay on guard. She cleared her throat. “I guess that’s all I have to say.”
“May I go first and ask you out on a date?”
Suddenly feeling shy, Ariel blushed, “Yes.”
“I know this little place over in South Cleveland called Jimmy Mac’s where they make the best chicken and dumplings I ever had, and I thought I might take you there for dinner tomorrow.”
Ariel wondered how someone of Kiernan’s social station would ever hear of a place like Jimmy Mac’s, let alone eat there. She grinned from ear to ear. “I’ve been to Jimmy Mac’s with my Harley group, and they do have the best chicken and dumplings. And yes, I’ll go out with you tomorrow.”
Kiernan gave a wry smile as if picking up on Ariel’s thoughts and the reasons for it. “I happen to know all the places in the vicinity for great home cooked vittles and barbecue. Hands down they all beat anything places like Le Pierre’s have to offer. One other thing—the World Equity Foundation is hosting its annual fundraising dinner in Atlanta—well—Marietta—in a couple of weeks. It’s a dress occasion, semi-formal to formal.”
“Oh, I’m—umm, I’ve never been to anything that fancy before.” Especially with you, was the rest of the thought that Ariel wisely kept to herself.
“Don’t worry, you’ll do fine, and I’ll be there with you.”
Ariel knew Kiernan would take care of her, if she needed it. She also knew she was capable of taking care of herself—in any social situation.
Chapter Twenty-Two
KIERNAN TOOK ANOTHER bite. “Mmm, these dumplings melt in your mouth,” she enthused.
Ariel managed to agree around a mouthful of Jimmy Mac’s World Famous Chicken and Dumplings.
Ariel had volunteered to drive them in her Ferrari, and Kiernan sat in the passenger seat enjoying the way the car hugged the curves at the faster than normal speeds. After a couple of Ariel’s more daring maneuvers, Kiernan glanced over to see Ariel giving her a quick assessment as if to gauge her reaction. She gave Ariel a wide grin and received one in return. They’d arrived at Jimmy Mac’s a few minutes before noon, beating the rush of Sunday churchgoers, and got a booth in a corner that would give them some anonymity.
After a few more bites of food, Ariel said, “I sent my application to Georgia Tech’s Aerospace Engineering Department.”
Kiernan swallowed her food. “Oh, Ariel, that’s wonderful. When do you expect to hear back?”
“It should be in a couple of weeks. I want to start spring semester in early January. I already have the basic required courses—you know, English, humanities, math, others, and of course physics. I need fifty-two credit hours in the major to obtain an undergrad degree in Aerospace Engineering. I can do it in a year by taking three straight semesters.”
“I’m sure you’ll be accepted into the program. We can get you an apartment close to campus for those times when you have laboratory classes.”
Ariel glanced furtively around and lowered her voice. “Er—Kiernan, we’ve never set a date for when the baby—you know—the implantation of an ovum.”
Ariel bringing up the subject caught Kiernan by surprise. Since it had been upsetting to Ariel when mentioned in previous conversations, Kiernan hadn’t planned to address it any time soon. Now she jumped to talk about it. “I’m thinking this coming July would be a good time. That’s a year before I turn forty and will provide us plenty of leeway to plan.”
“Then I should be able to obtain my degree three or four months before the baby is due.”
Kiernan noticed Ariel always referred to their future child as the baby and not our baby, as she thought of her, evidence Ariel still hadn’t reconciled with her role in this agreement. Or was it Kiernan’s role as the child’s other parent Ariel had a problem accepting? Now wasn’t the time to go into that, so she put it out of her mind. “We need to plan a time to discuss an obstetrician and any birthing methods you want—things along those lines. We have time yet—to think about it—before we sit down and do that.”
“We can ask Mom. After having me and the twins, I’m sure she’ll have some advice on the subject.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Now, how about I order us some of Jimmy Mac’s peach cobbler, and when we finish that, you let me drive your Ferrari back home.”
“Do you have the required license to drive vintage vehicles?”
“Of course I do. I’ll have you know I’ve owned a 1965 Mustang convertible, 1972 Trans-Am, a 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP, and various other vintage vehicles.”
“Only if you promise to drive carefully and not drive it like a flitter racing around in the Asteroid Belt.”
“Ha! And this coming from a woman who rides a—what is it called—a suicide machine?”
Ariel rolled her eyes. “Oh, okay. And remember, just because the Ferrari has a radar detector doesn’t mean the highway patrol doesn’t have other ways to catch you speeding. In fact, I heard from a member in my Harley group the Smokies cruise the roads in unmarked vehicles, clocking your speed by keeping behind you and using their odometers.”
; “Oh, goody. We can see how fast we can leave the Smoky behind.” Kiernan smirked evilly and said, “Eat my dust, Smoky.”
Ariel tried to deliver her an admonishing look, but failed and burst out laughing, Kiernan joining her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“SORRY, MOM,” ARIEL said. “I’m planning on taking Kiernan for a motorcycle ride on Saturday, but I’ll come over Sunday and visit.”
Joanna’s surprise was obvious over the telecom screen. “Oh, is this part of the—dating—you two are doing?”
“Yeah, she took me out to eat Sunday, and I’m inviting her for a ride Saturday.”
“Gee, Ariel,” Joanna said dryly, “you sure know how to show a girl a good time.”
Ariel stuck her tongue out, then said, “I think so—” A knock interrupted her. “Someone’s at my door. I better let you go.”
“Remember to ask Kiernan about Thanksgiving.”
“I will. I’ll talk to you later.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom, bye.” Ariel watched as the image on the screen faded, before looking up from her desk toward the door. “Come in.” She was surprised to see Kiernan enter.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Ariel pushed her chair back and stood. “Not at all. You’re home early.”
“My four o’clock conference call with the Baltic Federation cancelled at the last minute, so I called it a day. I thought instead of playing pool tonight after dinner we could watch the opening game of the Vols women’s basketball team. They’re playing Florida tonight at seven.”
For the last three nights after dinner they had played pool in the recreation room. “I wouldn’t miss it.” Ariel said, “So, you’re a women’s basketball fan?”
“Not any women’s basketball fan, I’m a Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball fan.”
“Of course, watching any other teams play against each other is like watching a pickup game at the local park.”
“You got that right.”
“Why don’t you take a seat? There’s something—actually, two somethings—I want to discuss with you.”
Linda S. North - The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars Page 21