"Thanks, Mitchell," spoke to the EMT behind him. "That was close. I wouldn't have blamed Liam if he clocked this bozo, but he'd probably be crying to his mom and lawyer before he hit the floor. Liam's the one that would be in trouble. I told Kim to call the cops. They'll be here pretty soon. I'll handle it from here."Mitchell left the bathroom to see his classmates huddled around Liam and Ashley. She was wearing Liam's suit jacket and looked very small in it. Christine gave Mitchell a big smile as he approached the group."Thanks, Mitchell. It sounds like you arrived just in time. Ashley told us that Liam looked like he was going to kill that jerk. What a mess that would've been. I told Liam to take Ashley home. I promised that you and I'd double as wait staff when we weren't dancing. I don't think you have to make any plans to get those two together. She won't let go of him now.""Kids, we're sorry about that situation. The police are outside talking to those college kids now. They
"Did you hear that, Christine?" asked Hailey as the Leonard family watched the local news. "I didn't hear Mitchell mention any long-legged redhead. He talked about you and smiled all the way through it. He has it bad for you.""So you claim, but he still hasn't mentioned that woman or why he was out with her. He's keeping it from me for a reason. That's why I'm home tonight. I told him I didn't feel like going anywhere, even though there's several parties celebrating the team's victory today. He says he's being more open, but there's an awful lot that he's not telling," reasoned Christine. "He always seems to clam up when anyone asks questions about his family or where he went to school or what he studied. He never mentions other girls.""I can tell you from experience that mentioning other girls is never a good idea," laughed Dan. "I made that mistake when I first started to date your mother, and I never made it again. But I wasn't dating anyone else when I was with your mom, either.
The crowd reached the area where the vehicle had gone over the bank. Nothing was visible but water. Groans and cries became common as more than a few spectators broke into tears. Christine heard the cameraman swear and point his camera farther upstream. Christine's heart stopped when she realized what he was videoing. Mitchell Kays stood on what appeared to be an observation platform. As she watched, he stripped off his coat and shirt. Then he kicked his shoes to the side and peeled his jeans off. It was obvious to Christine what Mitchell planned, and suddenly her fear increased tenfold.By this point, all of those assembled realized Mitchell's intent and suddenly went silent. Mitchell said something quickly to Liam Marsh, then strode to the edge of the platform, and dove into the icy waters of Snake River. "Holy cow." yelled Nell Daniels as she watched in awe. "Tell me you've got that on video, Stan. Keep recording. We're looking at high drama here. I'm going on air in thirty second
When Christine had entered the river, Nell Daniels's voice showed her absolute amazement and awe as she described Christine's courage as she leapt into the icy waters. Viewers were literally sitting on the edge of their seats as they watched Christine swim back and forth in the icy waters. Onlookers had pulled a ladder off a pickup and tied ropes from it to the pickup and hung the ladder over the edge. A young policeman removed his hat and coat and climbed down as others worked to hold the ladder steady.Suddenly, Mitchell broke the surface, well over three minutes after he had disappeared into the river. When he held up the babies, the crowd erupted into cheers. They watched Christine pry the infants from Mitchell's grip and deliver them to the policeman, who gently passed them up. The first baby was actually crying. Grown men felt tears streak down their faces as they watched in stunned wonder. Christine handed the second baby up and turned in the water."He's gone under." cried an
Mitchell's chest was crimson as blood flowed down his abdomen and dripped onto the frozen ground. Christine reached down and felt the red fluid, trying to convince herself that it couldn't be blood. As she rubbed it between her fingers, she soon realized that it truly was blood, and it was coming from lacerations in Mitchell's chest and chest."Christine, put this blanket on and let us take care of Mitchell. You've saved his life, but we need to get him to the hospital. You can ride with us," promised Cindy Burns as she and her crew, seemingly coming from out of nowhere, moved quickly to professionally care for the patient. "We'll backboard him and transport him as fast as we safely can."The throng that had come for a football rally, stayed to watch their volunteer ambulance crew provide the best possible care for the team's star quarterback. The viewers at home had the same opportunity, but with a far better view. Christine hovered nearby and even assisted when she could. Liam, with
"I saw some of this on the television. I've got to tell you that your children are extremely fortunate. I'll have them x-rayed because they were in a serious accident. We'll also keep them in the hospital overnight for observation, but it appears, on my initial examination, that they're doing pretty well. It's especially amazing when you know they were under water for several minutes. That young man must have kept his cool and somehow managed to get these two some air in that car.""Thanks so much, Doctor. I'll never be able to thank Mitchell Kays enough for saving my babies. I just hope he'll be okay," sobbed the infants' mother. "The team was supposed to be on the bus right now to get ready for the big game. Now I hear they're staying home tonight to see what happens with Mitchell. Coach Anderson really cares about his players. That's why they play so hard for him. When they bring Mitchell in, please take really good care of him."It was only a few minutes later that Laura was notif
"Let me say a few things that should answer a lot of these questions," began Christine. "Most importantly, Mitchell is doing fine, pending anything that the x-rays reveal. He has some nasty lacerations on his chest and abdomen, but Dr. Sheers feels that she can deal with his injuries temporarily so that he will be able to play in the big game. Mitchell and I have to thank Liam Marsh for his timely assistance at the river. I don't want to even think what the outcome would have been without his help. He’s, our hero."We're ecstatic that the two infants are doing so well. We've all seen the kids at a couple of the victory celebrations and have come to love them. We're pleased that Gary will be able to have his nephews to enjoy for many years to come."I think that we all need to stop and consider what Mitchell Kays risked, as well as what he accomplished this afternoon. I've never before seen courage like he displayed. He told me a little about his time in that freezing water as he worke
Once his x-rays were completed and ready, Mitchell was wheeled back to the ER. Christine pulled back the curtain and stepped alongside his bed."Christine, I'm not sure how to say this. I owe you my life," began Mitchell as Christine stood near his bed and listened. "I'll always be available for you. If you ever need anything I have, or anything I can do for you, just let me know. I'm serious as a heart attack. I feel a tremendous debt to you, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to repay it.""That's hardly necessary, Mitchell. I'm just glad that I was in the right place at the right time. I have no idea how you dared dive into that water and then go into that submerged car. Weren't you afraid?" asked Christine."I was terrified, Christine. But I was more afraid of how I'd never be able to look in a mirror again if I didn't do my best for Gary's nephews. I'm an exceptional swimmer and I knew that the job fell on me. Besides, there are worse things than dying. Living in shame is
"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