Changes 3/3

Changes 3/3 Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 Tracy E. Aiken <teanc@mindspring.com> Disclaimer in part 1 They stayed that way, huddled together, until Fred pulled up outside the office. After exiting the limo, once again their hands were linked together. He couldn't stop touching her and he didn't want to, either. When they walked into the office, he still had her hand in his. Mildred could tell something had happened, but before she had a chance to ask, he said, "no interruptions, please, Mildred." He led them into his office and closed the door, then over to the sofa. Once again, he took her into his arms. "As much as I love being right here, we have work to do." "I know. I just want to hold you a while longer. We'll get to work in a while." "We need to talk to Mildred about the new office, and the future," she said, snuggling back against him. "I'm sure her curiosity is about to get to her, out there," he said with a smile. "Go ask her to join us," she said sitting up. He smiled and got up and went out to the lobby area. Walking back in, he was followed closely by Mildred. "Everything okay, hun?" "Everything's fine, Mildred. Have a seat." "We found a new office, Mildred." "Where, chief?" "On Wilshire. Not too far from here, actually. It's a penthouse office suite." "Sounds nice. When can I see it?" "Laura will take you over this afternoon. We need to arrange to have the offices wired for both telephone and computers." "Plus we need to do some shopping, we're going to need additional furniture." "Has the contract been signed yet," Mildred asked? "Hopefully, that will happen later today, or tomorrow. We want to move as soon as possible," Laura said. "We also wanted to talk to you about your future. We know you want to get your P.I. license, which we want to encourage you to do, however, that means we will need a new receptionist," Remington said. "How large is this new office?" "There are two large offices, and three smaller ones, but even the smaller ones are almost as big as this room." "That's huge, we are going to need new furniture. Now are you two going to tell me what else is going on," she asked with a smile? Laura looked at Remington and smiled. He took her hand, again, in his and pulled her back against him. "A lot has happened, Mildred," Laura said. "We aren't only moving the office, we're moving in together, and buying a house. We need the room." "The room for-" she started and then smiled, "are you pregnant?" "Yes, Harry and I are going to have a baby." "That's great," Mildred said, and moved to sit next to Laura on the sofa, then hugging her. "Congratulations, both of you." "Thank you, Mildred," he said. "Thanks." "Are you okay, Miss Holt?" "Just tired, Mildred, I'll be fine." The telephone rang and Mildred moved over to Remington's desk to answer it. "I need to get my prescription filled," Laura said, settling back against Remington. "We can do that on the way home." "We also have work to do, today, Harry. Mildred and I need to go over to the new office and do a walk through and some planning." Mildred hung the phone up and said, "that was a Mr. Jacoby, who said the contract is ready to be signed and will be able to meet you two anytime this afternoon at the lawyer's office." "That's wonderful news, Mildred. Will you call our lawyer and find out if he's free anytime this afternoon?" "Right on it, boss." Mildred left them to go back to her desk to make the calls and set up their afternoon meetings. "Where do you want to live, Laura?" "On the west side, somewhere." "How do you feel about Malibu?" "I love it, but it's so expensive." "Don't worry about money, if you could live anywhere in L.A., where would it be?" "On the beach, somewhere between Santa Monica and Malibu." "Perhaps my contact will be able to show us some houses this weekend, do you think you'd be up to that?" "Sure. As long as it's not first thing in the morning." Mildred walked back into the office and said, "you two are on for two o'clock with the lawyers and Mr. Jacoby, at the new office." "Mildred, why don't you come with us, that way we can show you the new office and we can do a walk though at the same time, do some planning?" "Who's going to mind the store?" "We'll put the machine on and close for a couple of hours, we aren't expecting any clients, so we should be fine," Laura said. After setting up the answering machine with the message that they would be closed, they took the limo to the new office. While Remington signed the contract, Laura and Mildred went up to the penthouse and did a walk though. They were each taking notes and making measurements. Discussing what would go where and deciding whose office would be where. "Mildred you can have any of the back offices you want, just let us know which one." "Should I call the employment agency and set up interviews for a new receptionist?" "Please, that would be a great help." "When are you two moving," Mildred asked? "We have to find a house first. Besides our first priority right now has to be getting the agency moved." "I'll arrange everything, don't worry." "Mildred, I can't ask you to do that. This is going to be a lot of work." "You didn't ask, I volunteered. And I can guarantee you that Mr. Steele is not going to let you do anything, here or at the current office." Mildred could see she hit upon a touchy subject. Laura walked over to the windows and looked down onto the city below. "I'm sorry, hun, I didn't mean to upset you," Mildred said, walking over to stand next to her. "It's okay, Mildred. I know he's going to be over protective." "You need to tell him how you're feeling." "Everything all right, in here," Remington asked, walking into what would be his office? "I'm going to go take some measurements in the other office," Mildred said, leaving them alone. "Laura?" She didn't respond she just kept looking out the window. He moved to stand behind her and took her in his arms. She was crying. "Laura, darling, what's wrong," he asked, turning her around and pulling her to himself. She buried her face in his neck and held him tight. "It's all right, love, it's okay," he said, holding her and stroking her hair, trying to get her to calm down. "Everything's changing, Harry," she mumbled into his chest. "Oh, sweetheart, yes things are changing, but for the better, all around. I know all the happenings can be scary, but together, we can do anything, you know that, right? Come, sit down with me," he said. He pulled her down to the floor and sat her on his lap. "I love you, Laura." "I love you too, Harry. I'm sorry-." "Sshhh, stop that, no apologizing. I know everything happening right now is stressful. I want to make this as easy for you as I can. Will you let me do that?" "I have to have some control of my life, Harry." "I'm not trying to control your life, Laura, I'm trying to make the adjustments a bit easier. But if it will make you feel better, you have final say on any decision, from packing to decorating, eh," he asked, smiling. "Harry, you are an incredible man, you know that?" "You made me that way, Laura, it's all because of you." "I'm sorry about freaking out." "Laura, I told you, you've no reason to apologize. I understand all these changes are going on both around you and inside you have you a bit off balance, but we will get through this together, just like we do everything." She stayed snuggled up in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. "How about we go get your prescription and go home?" "I need some down time, Harry. I need to let everything sink in." "Do you want to be alone," he asked, hoping she would say no. She chuckled, and wiped her eyes. "You know I want to be with you, I just need to spend some time thinking about you and me, and this little baby," she said, touching her abdomen. "How about we go to your apartment and just relax. No talk of moving at all. You fix one of your incredible dinners and we watch a movie in bed." "Laura, can we, I mean, is it safe for-." "Yes, Harry it's safe to make love." Mildred knocked gently on the door, hoping she wasn't interrupting them. "Hi, Mildred. Did you get all the measurements you needed," Laura asked? "All but this office and I have a few other things I want to go over before I go back to the other office." "We're going home, Mildred. Finish up here and then go home. Make it an early day, don't worry about going back to the office," Laura said. "Thanks. You two take care, and I'll see you tomorrow," she said walking back out of the office. "She's going to make this work smoothly, Laura said. "Let's go home, Laura," he said helping her up to her feet. The limo ride home was a quiet one. Each of them lost in their own thoughts. Once home, Laura went to change into something more comfortable while Remington made dinner. When he had dinner cooking, he grabbed two glasses and some sparkling cider and walked into the bedroom. "Hi," she said. "Are you doing okay?" "I am now. Is dinner cooking?" "It should be ready in about an hour. Care for some sparking cider?" She smiled and said, "I'd love some, Harry." Once he opened the bottle, he poured each of them a bit and handed Laura her glass. She clinked her glass against his and said, "to changes, Harry." Smiling, he responded, "to changes." The End, For Now
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