Mitchell responded to the antibiotics quickly and was out of intensive care by Sunday. His face was still swollen, but he had complete vision in his right eye and his left eye was beginning to open. His pneumonia was improving rapidly. The cracked ribs were extremely tender, making any extension of his arms or sudden movement painful.Melissa was not surprised that Christine insisted that Mitchell stay with them again. Christine and Hailey spent Saturday switching rooms. Christine intended to stay with Mitchell and neither Dan nor Melissa voiced an objection. After school on the following Wednesday, Christine and Ashley drove to the hospital to pick up Mitchell. Once again, Mitchell was wheeled down the hall with staff wishing him well and joking that he tries to stay away a little longer this time.Mitchell's arrival at the Leonard home was a festive occasion. Christine's grandparents, along with Maddie, Willow were waiting for him in the living room when Dan and Melissa once again
"Mitchell hasn't seen the video where he sang to Christine at JC Penney that Saturday. Let's make some popcorn and watch it with him," suggested Hailey as she gently tugged Mitchell toward the couch. "He may be the only person in the entire country that hasn't seen it."Mitchell was surprised at how well his song turned out. Christine looked stunning as she sat next to him at the piano. Her surprise at his song selection caused him to smile as he watched."That's the way to romance a girl," declared Christine's grandmother after the song finished. "Sing her a love song on live television with who knows how many people watching. I was all choked up that morning when I watched it on TV.""Dinner will be ready in an hour and a half, Mitchell. Would you like to lie down for a while? You look a little drowsy," commented Melissa."Good idea, Mom. Come on, Mitchell. I'll help you get situated. I forget what you've been through, at least until I look at your face. Let's get you in bed so
Christine and Mitchell were up early the next morning. Christine was going to attend school while Mitchell planned to take the rest of the week off to recuperate. He expected to return the following Monday. He hoped that his face would be back to normal by then.As she gently washed his back, Mitchell heard Christine begin to sob. He turned and asked, "What's wrong, Christine? Why the tears?""Seeing these awful bruises makes me realize how bad your ordeal must have been. Look at these Marks, and these stitches in your cute little butt. I don't know how you managed to stay alive and come back to me, but I'm so glad that you did. Have I mentioned that I love you a lot?" Mitchell asked."You have. Then add the fact that you're standing naked in the shower with me makes me realize how much you love me. You're extremely beautiful and I couldn't possibly love you any more than I do," Christine said."That's sweet, but you may love me even more after you start feeling better and I let y
"I've heard other girls talk about that in the lockers all through high school. I always thought it sounded gross, until I fell in love with you. Did you like it? If you did, I think we’d be doing that a lot," Christine saidMitchell wanted to pick Christine up and carry her to the bed but didn't dare test his cracked ribs. Instead, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the bed and pushed her down on it."Mitchell. I'm all wet. We'll make a mess of the bed. Don't you try getting on me. Remember my promise to my Mom and Dad. Ooh. I guess that's okay," relented Christine as Mitchell kissed his way down her body.Mitchell had seen a few x-rayed movies and listened to a lot of stories from servicemen about their sexual exploits. He knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish with Christine. He settled his face between her legs and slowly ran his tongue around her labia. He forced himself to go slow and to be very thorough as he gradually began to work his tongue inside Christine, and aro
Christine and Mitchell were surprised to see Ms. Metzger sitting at her desk for homeroom. "Mitchell. Christine. Please come up here."Ms. Metzger looked thinner and paler than usual, but she still had a twinkle in her eye. She stood and met the couple as they approached. She hugged Christine and then Mitchell. Mitchell let out an involuntary grunt as his ribs were squeezed. "Oh, Mitchell. I didn't think about what you've been through. I'm sorry that I hurt you. That must have been a bad week for you if an old lady like me could make you wince so easily. You two saved my life, along with about a thousand others. I just want you both to know that I'll never forget it and I certainly appreciate the risks you took for the rest of us. I've been watching a lot of TV while recuperating and your kids are all over it. I had no idea you could sing so well or play the piano. You've been holding back on me. I heard that you donated everything from the songs to the hospital fund. Words fail me."
"I'll bet he does. Can you get tickets for the rest of us? Your folks will want to go, as will Hailey and probably Willow. Maybe Donna would make the trip, too,” Mitchell said. “Dwayne promised me a dozen tickets, so I'm going to ask Laura and Coach if they want to go. Maddie, Ashley and Liam would use the last three and give me some support in the audience. This is very exciting to me. A few months ago, I hardly dared sing in the shower. Now I'm willing to sing in a concert and go down on my boyfriend in the shower. That's quite a change, wouldn't you say?" Christine asked. "As long as you don't get the two of them confused, you'll be fine," laughed Mitchell. "You mean sing in the shower and go down on you in concert?" grinned Christine. "I bet that would grab some headlines. But not with Mom and Dad in the audience. I'd consider it. Or did you mean go down on Ali Gatientebellum? You are jealous." Friday afternoon saw Mitchell riding with Ashley and Liam to the Ali Gatientebellum
The twelve ticket holders met up at the hotel. They enjoyed a quick meal and then headed for the show. During dinner, Maddie passed out the tickets Christine had been given. "What seat do you have, Mitchell? I bet it's next to Maddie's. We should have had a lottery or something to select our seats,” Melissa said. "Actually, Mitchell is sitting between you and me, but I'm sure that Willow will trade with you if you're unhappy with the arrangements," chided Maddie to her sister. "I'm sorry, Maddie. I should have known better. I'll even swap seats with Willow before it's all over so she can sit next to Mitchell for a while, unless Mitchell's taking advantage of my youth and inexperience while everyone's watching the concert," Melissa said. "There's no chance of that," assured Maddie. "He'll be way to busy taking advantage of my age and experience to be sidetracked by a teenager." When they all took their seats, Melissa had to smile when both Hailey and Maddie took one of Mitchell's h
"Hello everyone. The guys have asked me to join them for a few songs. I hope they don't regret it later. This first song for all the pretty women here tonight. But that's enough talk. Let's get back to the music." Mitchell played a few rifts on the guitar, and everyone started smiling and clapping. Soon he was delivering a rousing vocal for 'Pretty Woman.' Hailey, Maddie, and Willow all ran out to dance. Soon they were joined by their parents.The hotel was a bit upscale for college kids. It was used more by parents of students, friends of faculty, and travelers who wanted to stay in a good hotel. Melissa noticed that the few college kids that were there were using their cell phones a lot. A short time later, as Mitchell finished a solid rendition of 'Proud Mary,' more college kids began filtering in.While he had been performing with the band, Mitchell noticed that Hailey, Maddie, and Willow were quite popular with the college age males. They were on the floor for every dance. As h
"If Christine gets cold feet, or her conscience won't let her go through with it, I'd be willing to trade with her, just because that's the kind of friend I am," volunteered Jordan. "Thank you, Jordan. Christine, you're so lucky to have friends like Jordan," stated Melissa sarcastically. "She's willing to take a bullet for you, if the need arises." "Gee, thanks. I don't think I'll need any help, however. I have all the protection necessary, so those 'bullets' will not be hitting the intended target. There's really no need to worry about me. I'll make sure that the gun is empty by morning." "That's how class valedictorians talk these days?" demanded Hailey. "A few months ago, she hadn't ever been on a date and now she's talking about single handedly unloading a dangerous weapon." "I never said anything about using my hands, at least not tonight." laughed Christine, as Hailey was the one to blush this time. "If I may change the subject once again, we're invited to a costume party t
"Look. It's the Eiffel Tower," exclaimed Willow as she pointed out the window of the shuttle van. "Everybody get lots of pictures and we'll share them all when we get home. I have to thank you again, Christine, for making me part of this great adventure. I'm lucky to be your cousin." "You're lucky to be so pretty and shapely. You're lucky to have such understanding parents. You're lucky that Mitchell, for whatever reason, decided to take a chance on me that day at the mall. We're all lucky that Highland won that first football game. I'm lucky I'm not in tears right now because I'm so happy," Christine said. "We're all happy, Sis, but you've got more reason to be happy than the rest of us girls. Tonight, you're going to go to bed a girl and waking up a woman," stated Hailey with genuine happiness for her sister. "Spring Break in Paris with your hunky boyfriend. I don't think it can get much better than that." "It would get better if everyone left my personal life out of their discus
"Are you kidding," shrieked Hailey. "I'm going to Paris on Spring Break. This is way too cool. I can't believe it. I have to go shopping for some new clothes. We should get one of those CD's that teaches you how to speak French in three days. I'm going to call Willow." "Just a minute, Hailey," interrupted her father. "I can't go since we have to work. It's the busy time of year for those of us in accounting. I expect all of you to obey Melissa and Donna without question or dissent. That goes for you, too, Mitchell. You're a very mature young man, but Melissa and Donna are the adults on this trip. I want all of you to have a great time but be safe. Mitchell, I'll rely on you to keep them all safe. You seem to have assumed that duty already. No one wanders off alone and always be sure that Melissa and Donna know where you are. That's my speech on this trip." Later, as Christine was standing on the porch with Mitchell, she mentioned what she knew had to be on his mind. "I made sure tha
Mitchell lifted his overnight bag and went to Jordan's room and knocked. She quickly opened it with her suitcase in hand and tears running down her cheeks. She stepped into the hall and slammed the door behind her. "Let's get out of here. I watched the news while I was packing. They had a clip of you carrying me half naked, but with my tits blurred out. Then they bleeped the bad parts of my brilliant speech about you bleeping me with your big bleep. I've probably destroyed both our careers and lost Christine's friendship. I hope she doesn't believe that we did anything. I don't know how I'm going to be able to face her." Jordan said. Mitchell had called for a cab to take them to LAX. When he and Jordan entered the lobby from the elevator, several photographers began snapping pictures of them and calling out questions. Mitchell calmly led a teary-eyed Jordan out the door to the waiting cab without making any comment. It was dusk when Mitchell pulled into the Leonard driveway "I can'
"You're right, Sweetheart. This relationship, this love that you two have isn't like anything I've ever seen. You aren't normal or average. Your capacity and ability are exceptional. Don't let me discourage you. I admire and respect your confidence in each other, as well as the Acep love you share. It's very rare and extremely special," Mitchell finished speaking with Christine and went to check on Jordan. She had managed to push the covers down, so she was on her side with her amazing breasts on display. Shaking his head, Mitchell covered her back up and went and stretched out as well as he could on a stuffed chair in the corner.He was awaited some time later by an unfamiliar sound and sat up to listen. Unable to identify it, he stood and walked toward it. He found Jordan huddled in the fetal position on the floor of the bathroom, sobbing uncontrollably. He gently picked her up, carried her back into the room, and sat back down in his chair while Jordan cried and clung to him. Mitc
Mitchell remained silent as he carried Jordan to the door while everyone watched. Before leaving, he gently placed Jordan on a chair, unbuttoned his shirt, took it off, placed it over her, and buttoned it up. More than a few of the watchers noticed the way Mitchell's biceps filled out the sleeves of his undershirt as he easily lifted Jordan and left the suite.By the time the elevator reached the bottom floor, Jordan was making no sense at all. She had her arms wrapped around Mitchell's neck and her head buried in his shoulder. Mitchell turned to his left and exited the hotel through a side door. He crossed the street as quickly as he could, entered his hotel from a side street, and hurried to the elevators. Jordan's room was next to his, but when he reached it, he realized that she didn't have her card key. All she had was a thong and the shirt Mitchell had placed over her nakedness.Mitchell had no choice but to take her to his room. As he kicked the door closed, Jordan began maki
Dwayne called Mitchell later in the day. "You and Jordan are going to perform on your big hit on 'American Singer' on their season finale. That's Thursday and they'll have a huge audience because that's when they name their season winner. The show's supplying two round trip tickets, two hotel rooms, and paying each of you ten grand for the day's work. If you want that directed to the hospital fund, I'll see that it happens. I have it set up for the two of you to fly out to LA Thursday. You'll do the show that night, stay in a good hotel and fly home the next morning.""That sounds great. That show's huge and millions of people watch it, especially the season finale," pointed out Christine when Mitchell told her about Dwayne's call. "You'll promote your song and make money for the hospital fund. I'm not upset about not being included. We're going to be apart a lot in the future, and we have to deal with it. You can bet I'll be watching the show and wishing you and Jordan the best."T
"This campaign has been an unbelievable success, and that's mostly the result of everything you two have done to make this work. We have almost three months left, so we should be able to build the total even higher. It would be great if we had a million dollars by graduation. I know that isn't likely, but it would be a tremendous pleasure to announce that total in front of all the parents. But whatever the total, it'll be a wonderful moment for all of us.""Do you want to tell Ms. Metzger, or shall I?" asked Christine, as she watched for Mitchell to nod at her. "Dwayne Burton called last night. He's roughly edited those TV shows we shot in LA, but ABC has already been pushing very hard to buy them. He told us that the network offered a huge sum. It would guarantee at least a million dollars for the hospital fund. Dwayne told them it wasn't enough. He said we'd agree if ABC would ante up another million just to buy an option to hire us to tape two more shows. If they decide to enforce
"She said her news director heard the rumor that Hardy clashed with us this morning and was escorted from the hotel. The local station was disappointed that it didn't have more coverage of Saturday night. They told Nell that she'd be traveling with us when we went to any significant events from now on. Her interview tomorrow will be replayed, at least in part, on the network's morning show. She's going to meet us at school a little early. She thought it would be a good backdrop while she asked us questions,” Christine stated."She wants Hailey, Jordan, and us to be available for the interview. She's going to ask about that encounter you had with that Chechen, so be ready for that. I'll probably tell her about our invitation to Paris, unless you have an objection, Mitchell.""I'm going to be on TV. What should I wear? What will she ask me? What if I sound stupid? Mom, you have to record it for me," insisted Hailey."Go ahead and tell her about Paris. She'll be excited about that tri