Remington stood and reached down to help Laura up. He eyed the owner of the hut with wariness and apprehension as he pulled Laura into his side. "Good day sir, I'm Remington Steele, this is my wife Laura. We apologize for partaking of the use of your lodgings without your permission but it the heat out there necessitated an immediate withdrawal from the elements." Laura rolled her eyes heavenward as she saw the look on the scraggly man's face. He looked from Remington then back to Laura, scratched his balding head and asked her, "What'd he say?"
Laura smiled as she sensed that the old man wasn't going to make use of the large knife in his hands on either one of them. Laura stepped forward and offered her hand to the man. He too came forward and quickly pumped it up and down. "What my husband was trying to say was that we didn't mean to impose on you but it was really hot outside and we needed the shelter." The man shook his head in understanding as he muttered "Oh." Remington eyed them both and said "Isn't that what I just said?"
At that the man laughed and made his way into the front room of the hut. Laura and Remington couldn't help but follow. "I just came in from getting some viddles, sit at the table while I get some grub on." Laura walked to the rickety table and sat down. Remington was still attempting to translate the man's sentence as he made his way to the table and sat down. The man turned from his task long enough to introduce himself. "Sorry bout my manners folks, name's Cecil. Ain't use to company, live here by myself and don't miss much. Got everything I need here. Yep, don't miss a thing."
He excused himself and went outside. Remington and Laura exchanged looks as they pondered the man's sanity. Remington stood up and decided he'd keep an eye on their host. Cecil was heating some water in a large pot when Remington approached. "Can I be of some assistance Cecil? "Know much bout cooking Steele?" Remington grinned as he rolled up his sleeves. "Actually yes I do. I cook quite frequently, uh Laura isn't very comfortable in a kitchen." Cecil looked as if that last bit of information was unthinkable but he didn't comment on it. "Good, go down yonder there and fetch me those critters soakin in that net. There's a pot near by that you can use to bring em up."
Remington shook his head at the slang that the man used in plenty as he headed toward the water. He followed Cecil's pointing until he came up on a well constructed pier. He went to the end and hoisted up a large net filled with crabs and other sea inhabitants. Luckily Cecil had some tongs next to the large pot. Remington dumped all the critters in the pot and made his way back to Cecil. Cecil took the pot from him and made quick work of steaming the seafood. He sent Remington off to gather some more wood.
Laura rubbed her stomach as she sat back from the table. Cecil was an excellent cook. The seafood they'd eaten was delicious and she told him as much. "Thanks little lady, now how bout you two shove off and tell that battle ox Dorine that I ain't coming back till I'm darn good and ready and for her to quit bugging me!" Laura and Remington looked at each other and then back at Cecil with a unanimous "What!?"
"You heard me, I know that Dorine sent you here after me. That woman just don't know when to quit. Married her 20 years ago and she been worryin me ever since. Finally got so fed up I moved out here to get some peace and quiet. She been sending people after me tryin to get me to come back to her but I say not till Hell freezes over and the Devil starts givin skating lessons!" Cecil looked at them with marked defiance in his eyes. Laura and Remington started laughing, they couldn't help it.
"Uh sorry old chap but we weren't sent here by your wife. We were on our way to a vacation and our plane went down. We barely managed to get out alive and swam our way to shore. We washed up on the other side of this island yesterday. I went exploring and came across your hut. We are hoping that a search team will be along shortly to rescue us." Cecil looked at Remington and scratched his head.
"Well I'll be damned and here I thought that my leech of a wife sent you." Laura couldn't help herself, she had to ask. "Cecil, if you aren't fond of your wife, why in the world didn't you just divorce her? Why turn into a hermit and move to a deserted island?" Cecil looked at her as if she had two heads and four arms. "Little lady who said I ain't fond of her? I love the old bat, just can't live with her. She keeps buggin me about spending my money and I ain't gonna have it! I come here just to get some peace and quiet from time to time. When she gets tired of driving the animals crazy on our ranch she sends her cronies out here to try and get me to come home. I just assumed you two was some of her new recruits."
Remington couldn't help but smile again. He wondered if he would go to those lengths for some peace and quiet when he got old. He looked over and saw Laura giving him a look that told him he'd better not even think about it. He grinned all the more. "Cecil, if you don't have to, why in the world to you live in a hut while you're here? Why not just build a house or something with a bit more comfort?" Laura asked looking around her. Cecil grinned as he went to get himself a tooth pick. "Well I like roughin it and always was a Gilligan's Island fan." Just then they heard a loud horn blowing. Remington jumped from his seat and ran toward the beach, Laura was fast on his heels.
They reached the beach and shouted for joy when they saw the Coast Guard cruiser. They began waving their arms rapidly and yelling toward the ship. The horn blew twice and they saw someone on deck wave. They hugged each other and began gathering up their provisions. A smaller boat was deployed and was speeding toward them. Soon they were able to make out the Mildred's figure as well as two other men. As soon as the boat was anchored one of the men helped Mildred down and they both came running for the shore. Remington and Laura met them and Mildred hugged them both fiercely with tears in her eyes.
"Oh Chief, Laura, thank God you both are safe! We've been so worried about you both." She choked on her words as she was overcome with emotion. Remington and Laura clung to their surrogate mother. They too were elated to see her and told her so. Remington and Laura finally turned toward the young man with Mildred. He introduced himself as Lt. John Mitchell from the Coast Guard. They shook his hand and he helped Remington retrieve their belongings from the sand. When they were ready to cast off Laura looked at Remington and he nodded. They excused themselves for a moment claiming that they may have left somethings behind and would go look. Mildred looked a bit worried but she and the Lt. told them they'd wait in the boat.
Laura and Remington headed toward the woods and back to the hut. When they reached the clearing they saw Cecil sitting in a chair outside his hut whittling a stick down with his knife. Remington and Laura told them their rescue boat had arrived and that they'd be leaving. Cecil nodded and stood up. "Cecil, why don't you go back with us? I'm sure Dorine would love to have you back early." Laura said giggling. "No thanks little lady. I ain't due back for another two weeks and I'm gonna make the most of it. You two take care and its been a pleasure spending time with you kids." Laura hugged him and Remington shook his hand and patted him on the back. "Cecil old boy, its been a pleasure. Thank you for taking us in. We appreciate the hospitality." Cecil beamed at the praise and waved them off. "Go on git. I ain't good at sappy goodbyes." Laura and Remington waved once more before heading back into the woods.
Mildred handed Remington a cup of tea as she sat down beside him. He took the tea but was too anxious to drink it. Mildred noticed his preoccupation and rubbed his shoulder. "Come on Chief, everything will be fine, Laura will be just fine you'll see." Remington looked at the other most important woman in his life and managed a weak smile. "I hope to God that's true Mildred. Its my fault we took this bloody trip to begin with. If anything happens to Laura I don't know what I'll do. I was so shocked when she told me about the baby, I want them both to be safe Mildred, both of them." Mildred took his hand and squeezed it. He turned to look at her and suddenly gave her a big hug.
Mildred was taken aback by his display of affection but she returned it immediately. Just then the doors in front of them opened and a tired looking man came out. Remington and Mildred looked up, they both stood and rushed foward. "Doctor, is my wife ok? Will she be alright?" The Doctor put his arm on Remington's shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. "Relax Mr. Steele. "I'm Doctor Morrison. I've examined your wife thoroughly and she's been through a lot of trauma but she will pull out of this just fine." Remington ran a tense hand through his hair and continued on. "Doctor did she? Did she?" "Mr. Steele, the baby is just fine. The pain your wife was experiencing was due to abdominal muscle fatigue. Your wife is in excellent physical condition but occasionally even the most fit people experience muscle cramping when having to exert themselves without warning. This happens to swimmers all the time. We don't recommend giving her any strong medication since she is pregnant. The best thing we can suggest for Mrs. Steele is a great deal of rest and no stressful situations."
Remington finally released the breath he hadn't noticed he'd been holding. Mildred squeezed his arm and asked the Doctor if Laura could receive visitors. "Right now I'd like to limit her visits to just one person at a time. She can have freer visitations tomorrow. Remington shook the Doctor's hand and thanked him for looking after his wife. "No problem Mr. Steele, that's what I'm here for. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other patients to see. You can see your wife now she is awake and I'm sure she'd be happy to see you."
"You go ahead in boss, I can see Laura later." Remington hugged Mildred again and rushed through the doors to see his wife. Mildred sat down and said a silent prayer that everything had worked out for her two "kids". "Penny for your thoughts." A deep voice asked. Mildred looked up and gasped as she looked into Brett's smiling face. She stood up and went into his arms. "Brett! Oh my goodness what are you doing here?" Brett hugged Mildred to him and smiled down at her. "Where in the world do you think I'd be beautiful but by your side? I knew you were worried sick Millie, I could hear it in your voice. I had to come and lend you whatever support I could. How is Laura?" "Oh Brett, she's going to be just fine, her and the baby. I'm so glad you've come, how did you know where to find me?" "From a very imformative Detective of course." Bridgette said as she walked up to them. Mildred hugged Bridgette and filled her in on Laura's condition.
Remington quietly walked into Laura's room he noticed her eyes were closed. He silently walked over to her bed and put the three dozen roses he'd purchased from the hospital's flower shop down on the table. He sat on her bed and looked at her for awhile. He thought how much they'd both been through over the years. They'd come so close to death on so many occasions but they'd always seemed to make it through. Remington closed his eyes and siliently, solemly thanked God for getting them out of another brush with death. He vowed to take care of his wife and baby and keep them safe from harm. The baby. Those words still seemed foreign to Remington. It was always something he'd thought about for the future. A family of his own, a family with the woman he loved and worshipped. "Your looking very thoughtful." Laura said sleepily. Remington opened his eyes and couldn't help the tear that slid down his face.
He gently reached down and brushed his wife's lips with his own. "You are going to fill my head with gray hair worrying about you." Remington told his wife. She smiled and reached for his hand. "That may be true, but at least it that will keep you out of trouble Mr. Steele." Remington grinned and flashed Laura the smile she'd fell in love with. "Did the Doctor tell you about the baby?" Remington nodded. "Yes he did, he told me that the baby is doing just fine. He also told me that you are not to stressed out and you are to rest. Two of your favorite things." Laura scrunched her nose at Remington but she was still smiling. "And I suppose you have the perfect solution for my forced R&R Mr. Steele?"
"Of course I do Mrs. Steele. I think we are both in need of some major lifestyle changes Laura. Remington said. "Sounds serious." Laura noted. "It is sweetheart. Now that we are going to be parents, we are going to have to cut back on the bullet dodging and bad guy chasing that we've done up until now. I know you are going to fight tooth and nail to prove to the world that you can juggle career and family quite nicely, but I am not about to risk you and the baby's lives Laura. You both mean the world to me and I can't imagine my life without you and our family in it." Remington finished in a rush.
Laura looked at her husband in shock. "Remington, next to "I love you Laura and will you marry me Laura, that is the warmest most endearing thing you've ever said to me." Laura said smiling. Remington wasn't swayed. "I'm serious Laura." Laura stroked her husband's hand. "I know you are Remington. Believe me, when I thought we were going to die in that plane crash, I couldn't help but scream at the unfairness of it all. We've finally gotten our act together and now it was going to end. I wanted us to be a family in every sense of the word. To hopefully heal some of the old wounds that we both have. It was then that I realized how much I've accomplished in my life. Professionally and personally. For once in my life, I am beginning to see that its time for me to enjoy the fruits of my/our labor."
"Remington, business has taken up so much of my life for so long that I couldn't see beyond my case files. I realized when I was about to loose it all just how important the personal side of life is. I want to experience all life has to offer and not be afraid to be a mother for fear that I'll become "my" mother. Does that make sense?" Remington kissed his wife deeply and breathed a sigh of relief he'd felt clear down to his soul. "Laura, that makes perfect sense. I too am ready to devote my energies to family life. We can still remain involved in "Remington Steele Investigations", but I think we've both, especially you, given enough on the front lines. We are successful enough now to both function more in an "advisory capacity." Do you agree Laura?" Laura could hear the uncertainty in her husband's voice. She knew her answer was very important to him. "Oh yes Mr. Steele, I think that is a marvelous idea." She truly felt that they were a team and equal in all their future endeavours. She'd waited her whole life to feel needed and loved for what she was. She knew they would tackle parenting and family life the way they tackled everythingelse, together.