Legal Action - Box Set

by Kimball Lee

  The world outside the hotel was a winter wonderland, a picturesque village hidden in a valley surrounded by snow covered wooded mountains. A narrow river snaked along the edge of the village and long sections that were frozen solid were roped off for ice skating. As the sun disappeared behind the mountains gas lamps flickered to life on ornate lamp posts and on the sides of shops. An amber glow was cast over the entire scene as horse drawn sleighs carried smiling couples and families swaddled in fur blankets to view the enormous lighted Christmas tree in the center of the main square.

  It was the night before Christmas Eve and carolers wandered the streets and gathered inside the Grandhotel singing familiar carols in Czech. Waiters carried silver trays with steaming mugs of wassail and glogg to offer the hotel guests.

  Charlotte and Amanda spotted Georgina and Henrietta drinking mugs of the hot mulled wine and showing little Atticus the beautifully decorated Christmas trees scattered throughout the hotel.

  Charlotte gathered her baby in her arms, kissing his fragrant neck and he squealed with excitement as she pointed at the horses and sleighs with jingle bells outside the windows.

  “Let me hold that adorable little man,” Amanda said, taking him from Charlotte. “I can’t wait to have a baby; oh I hope our baby looks as much like his daddy as this boy does. I swear, other than having your eyes Charlotte, he’s a tiny version of Finn!”

  “Are we having a baby or a wedding first?” Charlotte asked as the four women settled into plush sofas and Atticus crawled to the nearest Christmas tree to maul the elegantly wrapped packages underneath.

  She was about to answer when Bly’s sexy voice said, “what a cozy little gathering, merry Christmas!”

  Amanda hugged her brother and Charlotte stood smiling at the pair, then Bly pulled her into a familiar embrace and whispered in her ear, “We need talk alone, it’s important.”

  “This must be the family, I’m Natasha, Alex’s fiancée,” a women’s voice was greeting the others.

  “You picked a girl from the South,” Charlotte said to Bly as she heard the heavy drawl and she turned to meet a face that was vaguely familiar.

  “You must be Charlotte, of course I recognize you from your magazine pictures. I’m Natasha, so nice to meet you, Alex has an irritating tendency to go on and on about you.”

  Something was not quite right, Charlotte thought, her mind was buzzing, trying to think why Natasha’s voice was so familiar, even though her face wasn’t. Slowly it dawned on her as the woman turned away and exclaimed over Atticus while Bly held him. Amanda gave Charlotte a look and mouthed the words bad nose job!

  Charlotte studied Natasha as she spoke to Atticus in fake baby talk, she had long unnaturally black hair and she was only about an inch taller than Amanda. She was very thin and even though she was probably Charlotte’s age she looked older. Her nose was too perfect and her eyes seemed unnaturally slanted and she wore bright blue contact lenses. Her lips were obviously over-filled with some foreign substance and her boobs were so large and perfectly round they resembled softballs under her tight, low cut sweater. She brushed her hair back and laughed and Charlotte caught a glimpse of the girl she’d once known.

  “Natalie,” Charlotte said flatly.

  Natalie faced Charlotte and smiled sweetly but it wasn’t a smile that reached her eyes, they still held the same fury and contempt they had in college. “I wondered if you’d even remember your best friend from college. When you simply left for the bright lights of Hollywood I was so hurt and lost without you, Charlotte! I’ve been doing some acting so I changed my name to Natasha, it’s more mysterious don’t you think?” she said, and her tone was sugary sweet and taunting.

  “Can you believe I met your roommate from Ole Miss, Charlotte? Small world isn’t it? It’s remarkable really, you two could almost pass for sisters,” Bly said, taking Natalie’s hand and kissing the gaudy engagement ring.

  “I’d hardly say we were best friends and if you think we look like sisters you’d better have your eyes checked,” Charlotte said, and she took her son and went to her room.

  *

  Amanda insisted that Charlotte needed a few spa treatments to get rid of tension. They lay side by side on massage tables in the world-class spa as the knots and kinks were worked out of their bodies. Warm fragrant oil was rubbed into their skin while the peaceful sound of flutes floated through the air. They’d soaked in a steaming outdoor pool before the massages to loosen their muscles and it had seemed surreal just to float in the sublimely warm water surrounded by mounds of snow and fragrant pine trees and towering mountains.

  “Who cares that Alex is marrying the wicked witch of the South, he’s not always the easiest man to live with. Think about it, he wanted to control you and he’s still hopelessly in love with you, so he’ll no doubt fuck around on her in no time flat. Besides, one word from you any day any time and he’d drop her like a hot potato,” Amanda said, as their bodies were pounded and kneaded.

  “I want him happily married, but I promise you that woman is as dangerous as a rattlesnake. She had me expelled from school so fast; I don’t even know who she slept with to make it happen on a weekend!” Charlotte said, she was so agitated she sat up on the table and her sheet fell away.

  “Damn girl, you look great for having a seven month old baby, your boobs are amazing,” Amanda said, staring.

  Charlotte lay back down, embarrassed. “I just hope he gets a pre-nup and that’s all I have to say about it. I don’t want to be here with her, as soon as Finn finishes skiing I’m telling him I think we should leave in the morning.”

  “Please don’t leave, JP won’t want to stay without Finn. There are plenty of things you and I can do and manage to stay clear of Alex and his bride from beyond hell, just quit worrying about it. He can handle her and he sure as hell knows how to handle money, the only thing he can’t seem to control is his obsession with you.”

  “Okay I’ll say one last thing then I’ll shut up about her,” Charlotte said, turning on her side to face Amanda. “I know this girl, she is a serious social climber and control freak, just be prepared for your trust fund to disappear as soon as she says “I do.””

  *

  Charlotte and Finn sat with JP and Amanda in the hotel dining room, they were drinking martinis and Charlotte and Amanda were feeling no pain.

  “Both Charlotte and my mother are worried about Alex marrying the poster child for bad plastic surgery, and you know,” Amanda said, slurring her words a bit, “I’m thinking she isn’t going to improve my life either.”

  “Thinking about the soon to be nonexistent trust fund, are we?” Charlotte said and went into a fit of laughter, then Amanda began to giggle as they made up worse and worse names for Natalie and the men rolled their eyes and told them they were cutting off their supply of martinis.

  “So you don’t want Bly to marry the freaky cat woman, but what do you think about Amanda marrying me?” JP asked Charlotte, “Are you on her mother’s side on that one, too? I’m pretty sure Amanda only likes to fuck me to piss her mom off, isn’t that right baby?”

  “Yes,” said Amanda, “to piss her off and because of your unfuckingbelievable body!”

  Charlotte and Amanda were off on another laughing jag and Finn said maybe they should order some food before things really got out of hand.

  Bly and Natalie walked across the restaurant and stopped at their table and Finn almost held his hand over Charlotte’s mouth because she laughed so hard when she saw them. Then she caught Amanda’s eye and nodded toward Natalie’s too tight sequined dress and mouthed the word “tacky,” and they were both in hysterics.

  “Looks like someone’s had a few too many of Chef Radek’s lethal martinis,” Bly said, glancing from his sister to Charlotte.

  “Yeah, someone really has,” Finn said, standing and helping Charlotte out of her chair, “I believe we’ll excuse ourselves and order room service.”

  “Forget the room service,” Charlotte said, wrapping her
arms around Finn, “let’s go to the room and have each other!”

  Amanda scooted into JP’s lap and said that sounded like a good plan to her. JP stood up taking her with him and said goodnight as he carried her to the elevator.

  “So, were you two having a little fun at my expense?” Natalie asked before Finn and Charlotte could leave the restaurant.

  “Charlotte’s had a bit too much to drink and I’m exhausted from skiing, we just want to call it a night,” Finn told her, then he gave Bly a look that said, don’t let her drag Charlotte into a fight.

  Charlotte teetered toward Natalie and said, “believe me, when I decide to have fun at your expense you’ll know it. If Bly wants to think you’re the hottest thing since Jenna Jameson that’s his business, but you might want to take care around me, Natalie. I can assure you I’m not the “shrinking violet” I used to be, and those are your exact words, if you’ll remember.”

  “Are you just going to let her talk to me like that?” Charlotte could hear Natalie urging Bly to defend her as Finn took her hand and led her to the bank of elevators.

  Charlotte glanced back at Bly as she stepped into the elevator and he looked defeated, it stung her heart, because it was something she’d never seen on his face before.

  *

  The next day was Christmas Eve and their little family, including JP and Amanda but minus Bly and Natalie, had breakfast and made plans for the day. Georgina and Henrietta wanted to take the baby for a stroll through the village and do last minute shopping while the couples went skiing. Then they would all take a sleigh ride to see the Christmas lights and have the Christmas Eve buffet in the main ballroom of the hotel. They’d opened their Christmas presents before they left Dovecote Cottage, but Charlotte brought the baby’s stocking (and goodies from Santa to fill it) even if Atticus was too young to know the difference.

  “I’ve only skied once before, in Colorado with Jorgen ages ago, so don’t leave me stranded on a black diamond run,” Charlotte said, when she and Finn were riding up the mountain on the chair lift.

  “Don’t worry, my love, I’d never let anything happen to you. You do know that don’t you?” he said and covered her freezing lips with his hot mouth. “I want to leave in the morning Charlotte, this entire situation feels strange. That woman is scary if you ask me; I have no idea what she looked like before her dozen or so plastic surgeries, but it’s obvious she’s tried to turn herself in to you. Of course who could blame her for wanting to look like my beautiful love, but it’s just too strange,” he said, and held her close to him as they neared the top of the mountain.

  “She is strange and scary and I hate that Bly is marrying her, but that’s his business and I’m with you, let’s go home in the morning. I only want our life, it’s more than enough. In fact I was thinking we might make Atticus a little brother or sister soon,” she said and they stepped off the lift and they both felt gloriously alive as they raced down the mountain.

  JP and Amanda joined them at the Chalet, which was a charming Biergarten half way up the ski mountain, for an al fresco lunch. The men ordered mugs of beer and Amanda wanted one too, but JP said she might want to reconsider after the hangover she’d barely recovered from. The sky was a bright blue canopy, its edges punctuated by the mountains jutting upward. In the distance, a lone cloud would settle on a high peak and then the wind would blow it quickly away. It was a glorious, sunny day and the air so high up in the mountains was thin and crackled with electricity.

  Bly stepped off the ski lift and made his way to their table, pacing back and forth before he finally sat down. He was having trouble adjusting to the altitude and felt slightly disoriented, he said. He put his head in his hands and mumbled that Natalie didn’t like to ski and he’d tried to find Charlotte and Amanda earlier but he’d missed them. “Charlotte can you stop her? I want to be happy. I don’t know why I did it, something’s happening to me…” he rambled on.

  Charlotte asked if he’d been drinking, she told him alcohol combined with the thin mountain air might be having an adverse effect and maybe a paramedic from the Ski Patrol should be called to check and make sure he was alright.

  Finn caught Charlotte’s eyes as if to ask, “Are you alright with him?” and she smiled and nodded her head. He and JP finished their beers and grabbed their skis; they were going to the top of the mountain for some extreme skiing.

  Charlotte caught Finn’s hand before he walked away and said loud enough for everyone to hear, “Be careful, my love, and come back soon. I thought we’d try to make another baby tonight.”

  His magical mouth covered hers and when he finally pulled away she was breathless and her arms clung to him. He smiled down at the woman he loved, then looked at Bly and his face changed. “I’ve reached my limit with you Bly, as far as my wife goes. I can never repay you for finding me and bringing me back to her, and I think I’ve been more than patient with your pitiful bullshit need to chase after Charlotte. It’s time for you to let go of her and let’s all get on with the business of living happily ever after… and one more thing, I’m well aware that Charlotte can take care of herself but I’m very good at eliminating problems, so let this be a warning. ”

  He and JP walked to the Gondola that would take them to the very top of the mountain and Charlotte smiled as she saw JP pat Finn on the back and they both laughed as they stepped aboard and were whisked away.

  Charlotte turned to Bly, “he’s right Bly, I don’t understand why you wanted me here. If it’s to witness your happiness and know that you’re moving on, I couldn’t be happier. Do I like or trust your fiancée? Absolutely not, but I might understand her better than you do since I lived with her for several years and I know the sort of things she’s capable of. If you love her then my opinion doesn’t matter, and I

  honestly want you to stop caring what I think, or about me in general. Just get a prenuptial agreement for heaven’s sake and don’t let her come between you and your sister and mother. It was an experience knowing you Bly, but we’re done now, Finn and I are leaving in the morning.”

  He looked shell shocked as she clicked her skis onto her boots and took off down the mountain even as he called after her to wait.

  “Just for the record,” Amanda told him as they sat watching her disappear, “I agree with everything she just said and do not let that phony bitch fiancée take over your life and fuck with my trust fund!”

  “Of course we wouldn’t do that darlin’” Natalie had appeared out of nowhere dressed in sapphire blue ski pants and matching jacket with a fur lined hood. With her hair in a ponytail and wearing dark sunglasses she really could have passed for Charlotte. “Did you tell her the news, lover?” she purred. “Well then let me do the honors, just to reassure me that sweet Charlotte is in the past and to prove how much he’s in love with me, Alex has given me power of attorney over all his assets. Now none of us have to worry if anything terrible were to happen.”

  Amanda was stunned, she wished Charlotte was there to hear this shocking information, “Alex what have you done, is this true?”

  “She thinks he’s right for her,” Bly mumbled, his eyes were glassy and unfocused, “and he thinks Charlotte is his happily ever after. Why doesn’t Charlotte stop me from getting married, I know she loves me and I swear to you Amanda, I won’t live without her any longer, I’ll make her see we belong together.”

  He wasn’t even aware when Amanda skied away with tears in her eyes as Natalie sat beside him smiling coolly and patted his hand and crooned, “Don’t worry Alexander, you’re in good hands with me, we’ll get you some medication for your altitude sickness, just leave everything to me, dearest.

  *

  The two couples along with Georgina, Henrietta and the baby squeezed into the sleigh. Finn held Atticus on his lap and they all covered themselves with blankets and sang Christmas carols as the horse trotted over the icy road. The baby squealed with delight at the lights and sounds of the village overflowing with holiday cheer. He stood in Finn�
��s lap and pointed and called everything “dada” which was his favorite word.

  The buffet later that night was a wonderful European feast with roast pheasant and goose and a multitude of delicacies ending with scrumptious Christmas puddings. Atticus wore a pair of dark green velvet overalls with his name monogrammed on front and a little white shirt with a Peter Pan collar. He cried when Saint Nicholas tried to hold him and refused to sit in his lap by kicking and screaming bloody murder.

  They waited for Bly and Natalie to make an appearance, but when they failed to show up everyone went upstairs to bed. JP asked Finn if he wanted to meet in the bar later for a night cap but Charlotte had a wild look in her eye so he said he’d probably be busy for a quite some time.

  Charlotte tucked her exhausted and sleeping son into the crib in Georgina’s room, then Finn bent to kiss him and they said goodnight to his mother and Henrietta.

  “I’m really tired, I think I’ll just go to bed now,” Finn said with a crooked grin, locking the door to their room.

  “Me too, I’m completely exhausted,” Charlotte removed her dress slowly, letting him have time to undress and watch her as he leaned naked against the elaborately carved wooden headboard, his cock already rock hard and waiting.

  Her dress slipped away and she stood in stiletto heels, black stockings and a red and black corset that gripped her tiny waist and pushed her high breasts up so they were just barley contained. Her black hair fell around her white shoulders and she heard him draw in his breath.

  “Merry Christmas lover,” she said as she walked toward him and although he felt that his heart might stop beating at the sight of her beauty, he pulled her down on top of him and whispered, “Merry Christmas, my love.”