Theron's Hope (Brides of Theron) (5 page)

“Actually, I think that since you made me CEO of Abernathy and Associates she is going to lay off you with respect to your dad’s firm for a while.  I think she approves of your choice of leadership, if you catch my drift.  I think it was mostly because she wanted one of Johnny's children in charge of it.  But, she hasn't given me any grief over it lately so I guess that means I qualify in her eyes.  Next thing you know she will be asking me to change my last name to Abernathy, but I think Jameson suits me better and I have no intention of changing it.”

“Yes, Michael Jameson, it does.  So, is she going to be here?”

“No, you are in luck.  She will be out until Tuesday and by then, you will be long gone to Florence.”  Michael smiled big and playfully punched her arm as he rose from the chair.  Looking at his watch and said excitedly, “Hey guys! It is 6:00pm and it is time for dinner.  Are you all ready to eat?”

The kids started jumping up and down as they all screamed yes.  They followed the kids up to the house and to the dining room for a dinner that promised to be scrumptious.  Grandmama's chef was good at what he did and he was sure to work his kitchen magic tonight.  It was a good thing too.  After playing so hard, they were starved.

Zane did not know why this particular female affected him so much.  He could not take his eyes off of her.  It was later on that evening after he finished all his work in the clinic on the ship. He visited the ship’s engineer, Brylon, and had him transport him directly into her room.  There he watched her as she slept.  She never knew he was there.  He listened to her as she talked in her sleep and laughed from time to time, deep in her dreams.  When the sun started to come up he went back up to the ship, planning to
return as soon as he could.  Something about her called to him.

Grace woke up to the sound of the ocean, the gulls cawing softly to one another on the beach, and the light from the rising sun being diffused through the eyelet lace curtains.  The dust motes were lighting up like fireflies in the light coming from the windows.  It was the best night’s sleep she had in months especially due to the fact that she was not awakened by the loud droning of an alarm clock.   It was about 9:30am and she took her time bathing and getting dressed and ready to go down for what would now be brunch.  She planned to have a mimosa with her breakfast this morning that was for sure.  She wondered what Michael and Em had planned for the day as she exited her room and made it down the marble stair case to the first floor.

Gianna excitedly ran toward her.  “Auntie, you are finally up.  I am so glad.  I wanted to go wake you up hours ago but my mom wouldn’t let me.”  She glared at her mother with condescension.

Em came in behind Gianna and gave a quick knowing smile in Grace’s direction.  “If she had it her way she would have been barging in your room at 6:30.  I kept her away knowing you needed your rest.  You are on vacation, right?”

“That’s right.  I am on vacation sweetie.” She said directly to her precocious niece. She loved how animated Gianna became when she was talking to her. “Thanks for being so patient sweetie,” she hunched over and gently touched Gianna’s nose, “That was the best night’s sleep I have had in months.  I sure am looking forward to today.  What will we be doing, my dear?”  Grace looked into her nieces beautiful hazel eyes ready for her to give her view of today's itenerary.

Gianna loved how her Aunt would speak to her directly because it made her feel important.  She replied with animation and a bit of dramatic flair that she was famous for, “The nanny is coming today.  Mommy just sent daddy to go pick her up at the bus stop.  She should be here any minute.  Isn’t that exciting, Auntie?”  She said as she started to jump up and down, her hands clasped and under her chin.  She was wearing a beautiful pale green seersucker sundress that went just past her knees and a light blue chenille cardigan with embroidered flowers down the front.

“That is very exciting news. I can’t wait to meet her.  But now, my sweet angel, do you think you can lead me to the food.   I am sure that your mother has arranged a wonderful breakfast somewhere and I am starving.”

Gianna smiled as big as she could so that she exposed her now empty row of front teeth as she grabbed Gracie’s hand, “Right this way Auntie!  The scones are delicious.  You must try them.”

Grace laughed heartily as Em bent down to scoop Jacob into her arms and followed close behind while filling Grace in on her perspective of the plans for the day.  The day would be set to make the kids as comfortable with the new Nanny as possible.  If all went well, maybe the adults could go out for a drink at the local restarant bar hangout later on this the evening after the kids were put to bed. 

They made their way to the back of the house.  The back patio had a covered porch that offered a great view of the large Tudor knot garden and all of its whimsical Italian marble statues and fountains.  Grandmamma was brilliant with plants.  She had a green thumb and could work magic with any seed she got her hands on.  Many of the roses in the garden were of her very own creation through her careful cross breeding experiments. Too bad the talent to care for and grow plants did not transfer to her ability to interact with people, Grace thought.

Just as Grace had fixed a plate for herself and sat down to eat, Michael joined them and introduced the new Nanny.   Jillian MacDougal was a relatively young nanny.  At 25 she had recently finished college with an early childhood development degree.  This was her second job as a nanny.  The father of the family she previously worked for got transferred to California.  They offered to take her with them, but she declined to move with them electing instead to stay in New York City.  She was gifted at working with children and her nieces and nephew were mesmerized by her instantly.  She would make a great addition to Emily and Michael’s growing family. 

Following a few minutes behind Michael and Jillian, Aunt Marion and Uncle Howard made their entrance.  It was wonderful seeing the children run up to their grandparents.  She thought that the changes that Michael and Emily made to the former family tradition of child rearing were paying off.  She never was this way with her grandparents.  It was always so formal and unemotional when she was in her grandparent's company.  The kids were crawling all over Uncle Harold like he was a jungle gym and he looked like he was actually enjoying it.  It was already looking like another beautiful day in the Hamptons.

Zane went back to his quarter’s right before the sun came up.  He spent another night watching the female that captivated him sleep.  He figured after he returned to the mothership he needed a shower and his bed.  However, no matter how hard he tried, sleep eluded him.  Every time he closed his eyes, he would imagine the Earth female standing before him and hear the sound of her laughter.  What was going on with him?  He decided to visit the ship’s commander and one of his best friends to talk about it.

He dressed in the clothes that were assigned for missions on the surface of planet Earth and made his way to the command center where Zeb’s office was located.  He knocked gently on the door and heard his friend say, “Enter.”  Zane sat in a chair in front of the desk.

“Gods Zane, you look like shit.”  Zeb said as he looked his friend over. “What is going on with you?”

“Thank you for noticing. I have been on the planet’s surface scouting and gathering samples." He paused just a moment to put his thoughts in order.  When Zeb looked at him to continue he said, "I think that I have found a female that interests me.  Since I have seen her, I can’t get her out of my thoughts.  I don’t know what is happening to me Zeb. I think that I may be going crazy.  Everytime I close my eyes, I see her face or hear the sound of her laughter.”  Zane put his face in his hands as if in shame.

“Well you are obviously are doing a lot of watching her.  How many hours have you been down there?  You look exhausted.”  Waiting for a response that never came he asked, "Does she meet the requirements agreed to by NASA?” 

“Yes she does.  She is unattached and has no mate of her own, she is of childbearing years.  I have been watching her for days.  She is staying in a big house on the beach with people that appear to be her family.  She mentioned to a man, I am assuming
to be her brother due to the relationship she has with him that she is going to catch a flight from an airport named JFK on Monday night to take her to Florence, Italy.  I am thinking that would be the best time to get her on the ship.”

“I agree.   It looks like you have done your homework.  Let me know if you need my assistance.  I will be happy to help you with this.”  Zeb smiled at his friend, noticing the
confused look that seemed to overtake his face.  Zeb knew Zane for a long time.  They grew up together, both following in their father’s footsteps.  Zeb became a commander of a great warrior ship of Theron and Zane was stationed on his ship as Chief Doctor.  To see his friend this way excited him.  If Zane could find his mate on the planet called earth, so could he.  He was preparing to go down to the surface in several days time to scout the area of the United States called Louisiana as well as go on a mission to obtain the woman that Brylon was scouting. 

“That would be great but I think that I can pull this off by myself.  I don’t want to attract too much attention and I really don’t want to mess up my chance with her.  Thanks for the offer.” He looked up and smiled at his friend. ”Have you had a chance to go down to the surface yet?”

“I have been down twice just to ensure of the safety of the mission.  I have not been able to participate in any scouting missions as of yet but I will soon.  I am really excited for you Zane.  I sure hope that after you get her on the ship, you will win her at the auction.”  Zeb knowing full well that his friend had both the money and the drive to win any woman he wanted.

“I am sure I will win her.  I got to go now.  I have to go check on the clinic before I return to the surface.  Thanks for listening Zeb.”  He stood up and made his way to the door.

Zeb was focusing on his work again and replied, “Anytime my friend.  Remember, I am here if you need me.”

Zane walked to the clinic half dazed.  He was really tired.  He was tempted to take a sleeping remedy to help him fall asleep but he was afraid of how long it would put him out.  On the day he would take the fiery haired woman, they would take several other females within hours of each other.  They figured that this would be the best way to proceed.  Each woman would be taken from areas that were a great distance from one another to avoid attracting attention.  Once on the ship, Zane and his medical staff would do an exam on each one and make sure that they were healthy as well as verify that all requirements made with NASA were met.  Once the female was cleared by the medical staff, she would be moved to a temporary holding room before each woman was auctioned off to the highest bidding warrior. 

All was quiet in the clinic.  Jeeka had the few existing patients under control.  Zane decided it was time to resume his shadowing detail and get back to the planet called earth.  He would make sure that his attempt to take her would go as planned.  He was starting to believe that he could never forget her much less live without her.  Her abduction had to proceed perfectly.

Grace was enjoying her time with the family.  It was wonderful to see Aunt Marion and Uncle Howard so happy with the grandkids.  The children were taking to Nanny Jillian so well that there was no question that she would be an asset to the family.  They followed her around the beach like a baby duckling would.  She kept them busy and entertained and made up
some great games for the kids to play on the beach. 

Aunt Marion sat on the beach chair next to Gracie, “So Grace, Michael tells me you are going to Italy on Monday.  Is it business or pleasure?”