"Mom. Do you think Mitchell will complain about posing with me topless? He'll love it."Mitchell heard the last comment and interjected. "I might complain. I don't want explicit pictures of you floating around. You mean too much to me to do something exciting now that I'll regret later. At the very least, I want to see all the shots while they're on the disc and have the right to delete any I don't like. You're perfect, Christine. People admire you and consider you a role model. I think you're sexy and beautiful. You don't have to show your breasts to look great or be noticed. I'll go along with this as long as your mom and I both have the power to delete any pictures we feel are over the line.""You surprise me, Mitchell, but in a good way," admitted Christine. "I'm really happy that you care about my reputation and honor. However, I don't get to model very often, and I know darn well that a lot of models would be topless in your arms if that's what the photographer asked. Heck, th
Meanwhile, in a rented house a few miles away from the house with the pool, six men gathered around an old wooden table. "We have almost all of the pieces in place. Soon you will change the course of history. We have only to select a target and determine the best day to strike. These Americans are dumb and arrogant. Thinking they’re safe in this country when they are not. We shall have no obstacles in attaining our goals. You will be famous all time, My Brothers.""Fame is not my goal," replied a large man with a swarthy beard and white complexion. "I only hope to do my share to bring our true religion to this country. These people are godless, flaunting their bodies and respecting nothing and being in a nontrue religion. Only eight million of the American people will service the rest will get what they deserve death.""Nevertheless," replied the first man named Jacob, "you shall be famous, and our family will be well rewarded. Soon these heathens will know fear whenever your name i
Tyler and Jared both showed their surprise at Mitchell's request. Their jaws dropped and their eyes seemed to bulge. Willow and Jade swung their attention to the two friends for a few seconds."I'd be willing to work with Tyler, if Jade's up to risking her life working with the big guy. I don't want any money, but you must do something nice for us. You can surprise us; that is if Jade is Willing to go along with it.""I don't know how much you weigh, Jared, but you'd better not stomp on my feet." declared Jade. "It'll be like helping the underprivileged or doing charity work. Count me in, and that surprise had better be a good one."Jared and Tyler were dumbfounded. Somehow, they were suddenly obligated to learn to dance with two very attractive girls. They were embarrassed that they knew virtually nothing about dancing, but excited about the prospects of holding a pretty girl in their arms.Before Mitchell and Christine began their practice that evening, Donna made a point of as
Before anyone could guess his intentions, Kurt delivered a nasty backhand to her face. She fell backward and the group suddenly went silent. Everyone saw Mitchell step up to Kurt and say something quietly into his ear. Kurt grinned and headed for the back door. Mitchell asked Jared to close the door behind them and not to allow anyone out.Jared nodded his head in understanding and took up a guard position in front of the closed door. When he refused to let Christine by, she called for her father and her Aunt Donna's husband. The two men had heard the gasps and screams caused by Kurt's blow to Ashley Lyons and were entering the studio when Christine called for them."Dad, Uncle will. That brute, Kurt, just backhanded Ms. Lyons hard. He knocked her down and Mitchell said something to him. They both went out the back door and Jared won't let anyone by. Mitchell may be in trouble. You men have to go out there and put a stop to whatever's going on."Maddie and her date had just helped
"I thought it might be hard to understand, but I'll try to explain it better. Maddie loves her family. Because Christine and I are close, Maddie loves me, but like a brother. There Will never be any sex between us for a few reasons. Maddie Will never betrays her sister. I will never betray Christine. That makes me safe for Maddie to flirt with and tease. She knows that I understand, and she loves me for it. The same goes for Hailey. They love me mostly because Christine does. That's how close the sisters are."If you and Maddie get close, Hailey and Christine Will treat you special, once they decide that you're good enough for their sister. They'll love you like Maddie and Hailey love me. You must tease and flirt back with them, but never make any sort of inappropriate advance that could make them think you would be unfaithful to their sister, regardless of how seductive and flirty they behave. They expect you to be safe to tease. Never break that trust."I know this is unusual, but
"Was it necessary to have that scene outside with Kurt? He would have left that night and it would have been over with," reasoned Christine."How about Ashley? Are you confident that he would have left her alone after that evening? Don't you think he might've abused her again? I wasn't Willing to take that chance. He's a bully. He struck a woman. The only thing he'll understand is pain. He needs to know that there'll be dire consequences if he bothers Ashley again.""I didn't think about him going back to see Ashley again. She could be in danger if he did. I may have been hasty in thinking you were too rash in confronting him, Mitchell. I just don't want you to be hurt or get into trouble. I can see how he could have been a real threat to her. I've got to learn to trust your thoughts and actions when dealing with men, especially bad men. I'm sorry for suggesting that you're too keen on using violence. I saw how you risked your life and almost died to save those two little boys. You'
Nell O'Leary had reserved a room in the mansion for the girls to change their gowns. It was a bedroom in the living area of the mansion. Mitchell was shown what appeared to have been a large closet where his tuxedos were hanging."It isn't much, but you get changed so fast there wasn't much reason to use another bedroom for your clothes. We have a full house tonight. I'll be sleeping in the room the girls are using for their gowns. This is going to be a big night for my dad, and for us. I have a few media people that owe me favors and they'll be mentioning that I designed the girls' gowns and your tuxedos. Christine said she has her favorite reporter here as well. I think we should be able to garner a lot of good publicity. I expect you to save a dance for me."Mitchell quickly changed into his first tuxedo for the evening and stepped into the hallway, bumping into Nell Daniels as he did so. "Excuse me, Ma'am. I apologize for being such a clumsy oaf. Are you a supermodel? Here for t
"Thanks. I know I'm a lucky guy. You seem to be doing alright for yourself, Mitchell. You're always surrounded by beautiful women. It must be tough.""It's a cross I have to bear, Captain. There's no use complaining," laughed Mitchell."I can tell you have a military background. You knew from my uniform that I'm a captain and you addressed me like an officer. I understand your father was a Army Green Beret. I've had the pleasure of working with some and if I can't find an Army Ranger to watch my back, Army Green Berets are my next choice. They're very good."Christine watched the two men interact and realized that was one of the things that set Mitchell apart from the other kids at school. He was military in his poise and confidence. He was a natural leader. He and Nell's fiancé were very much alike. They were relaxed and smiling, but the steel in them was always apparent. They were men, not boys.When the dancing began again, Mitchell found himself with some very pretty daughters
"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