Steele Destined

? Beverly Hills - 1994 

 

“Laura, I can’t believe how much Rich has grown.  I love his curly hair, too.”  Rita said handing Laura a cup of coffee.  “He’s gonna be tall like Tony.” 

“Yeah.”  Laura said as she watched Rita take the chair across from her. 

“Laura, I’m sorry about the house.” 

“Me, too.”  Laura placed her cup down on the table and stood.  Rita watched as she walked over to the kitchen sink and stared out the window. 

Laura wanted to cry, but she couldn’t bring herself to let go. 

Laura realized not only had she lost her memories of her life before her accident, but also now, she didn’t have any memories of after.  They had lost every thing in the fire. 

‘You didn’t lose anything that mattered,’ a voice within her said.   ‘You still have your son and your life.’ 

Laura closed her eyes and another memory surfaced.  She could feel the heat from the fireplace as she sat on the hearth, she could smell the expensive cologne, and she could hear the rain from the storm raging outside behind her.   

Rita watched as Laura tilted her head. 

Laura could see herself crying, her arms around a tall man’s neck, and her face against his shoulder.  She was letting go and allowing the tears to fall just as the rain was falling. 

Rita watched as Laura wrapped her arms around herself. 

With her eyes still closed, Laura looked up toward the ceiling.

"Shh. Shh. Shh, Laura. It's okay," the man holding her said gently.  She could hear the English accent.  She recalled hearing the same accent over the years in her dreams.

Laura allowed the tears to fall down her cheeks as she hugged herself tighter.

‘Everything is new again, eh?  Eh?   Just think of the possibilities.  Think of the possibilities.’

“Laura?  Laura?”

“Huh?”  Laura answered snapping out of her daze wiping the tears off her cheeks.

“Are you okay, Honey?” 

Laura looked at her friend.  Rita could play double for model and actress Kelly LeBrock any day with her full lips, tall form, and long, beautiful, curly, brown hair. 

“Rita,”  Laura sighed.   “Can I tell you something, and you not commit me?”

Rita didn’t answer. 

“I never mentioned it before…not even to Tony.”  Laura sat back down at the table. 

“I have had dreams…vision…memories…I don’t know what to call them…of my life over the past years.  Well, I think it’s my life.”   

Rita watched as Laura took a sip from her cup of coffee. 

“Tony told me I was an orphan.  That he was the only man I have ever been with.” 

“Hard to swallow,” Rita said pulling on her ear smiling.  “I know, Rick wish I could say the same.” 

“I’m serious Rita.  I…I…”  Laura studied the woman before she continued.  “I think I had an affair.” 

“What?  No, not you.”   Rita stood.  “Me, it’s possible, but hey, Rick and I have that understanding, but you…no.” 

“I have had dreams of making love to a man, NOT my husband.” 

“So has every woman in America.” 

“Dreams of being in love like I’ve never been before.  This man knows my body, mind, and soul.  He’s the father of my child, but not Rem.  He’s the father of a little girl.”  Laura shifted in her chair feeling a little uncomfortable.   “It’s not possible.  Tony said we met in high school AND HAD BEEN TOGETHER EVER SINCE.”  

“Laura, do you want to know what I think?”  Rita continued when Laura didn’t answer.  “I think you are just a horny lady who needs to be bedded AND SOON.”

 “RITA!”  Laura stood.   “Everything is not centered around sex.”

 “It has been what…six years?”  Laura didn’t answer.  “My math may be off.  Let’s see.   You and Tony didn’t have sex during your pregnancy because you were a high risk.  He died of an aneurysm when Rem was four…five weeks, and I believe the doctor told you to wait six weeks after you had the baby.  Rem is five years old.” 

Laura only stared at Rita.

 “You are long overdue.”

 Rita looked Laura up and down.

 “I could hook you up with someone who would be willing to help you out.”

 “No, thank you.”

 “Hell.  You can sleep with Rick.  I have seen the way he looks at you.  I am sure he would…”

 “Rita!  Rick is your husband.”  Laura was astounded.

 “I’m glad someone still remembers.  Did she mention she goes by her maiden name?”  Rick and Rem walked into the kitchen. 

Rita laughed as Laura’s face turned red when she realized Rick had overheard her offer.  

“My God, Rick, our Laura is blushing.”  Rita winked at her husband. 

“Rita, stop teasing her.”     

If it was at all possible, Laura’s face got redder when she saw confirmation of Rita’s statement in Rick’s eyes.  You would have to be blind not to see the open desire in those blue eyes.

 “Momma, your face is red like an apple.”  Rem walked over to Laura and raised his arms.  Laura gladly picked up the brown haired, brown-eyed boy hoping it would distract the other two adults from noticing her discomfort. 

“Laura?”  Rick’s voice caught both ladies and boy’s attention.  “You and Rich are welcomed to stay as long as you need to.” 

“We can’t impose.” 

“Please Momma.  Ric said HE take me fishing.  He said HE teach me to play baskball.” 

“Basketball.”  Laura corrected and knew it fell on deaf ears.  The only thing her son was interested in was having a male play buddy around.

 Laura looked at Rick and Rita. 

On the plane trip there, she had time to think about her life over the past five years.

Rick and Rita whom were Richard Eric Micelli a.k.a Rem’s Godparents were her rock when Tony died until she was able to focus and pull her life together. 

Tony had made sure she would be financially taken care of if anything happened to him, so she didn’t have to work, but boredom soon crept in.  She waited till Rem was one-year old before she started working as Rick’s accountant.  And, working for Rick was so ideal for her; Rick allowed her to work at home as often as she liked, so Rem only spent two days in daycare.   

Laura knew she owed Rick and Rita a lot and turning them down would be like slapping them in the face.

 “Okay.”  Laura finally agreed.  “Only for a couple of weeks.”

 “Hurray.”  Rem said wiggling down and running over to Rick.

 “Hurray.”  Rick said picking the little boy up and leaving the kitchen.

 “Good.  Now, he’ll leave me alone about having a baby.”

 “Rita, you are terrible.  Besides, it’s time for you and Rick to have a child.”

 “I got the perfect man.” 

 Laura watched Rita as she stood and walked over to the phone and started dialing.

 “I never told my family I got married, so when I came to California my Aunt Hazel tried to hook me up with one of the Dragon Ladies’ son.” 

“Dragon Ladies?”  Laura asked puzzled. 

“Yeah.  I saw a picture.   He’s gorgeous!  You know tall dark and handsome.  He had blue eyes to die for.  Aunt Hazel?”

 Laura started waving her hands in front of Rita and mouthing “no”.   She groaned when Rita ignored her plead.     

“Do you remember the Dragon Lady’s son you tried to hook me up with?”   Rita held the phone away from her ear as Hazel started to rant and rolled her eyes when she saw the smile on Laura’s face.   “Aunt Hazel, it’s not for me…I have a friend that just moved here from North Carolina…Yes, she’s single…Her husband died a few years ago… One…A boy…5’6”…You know a woman never tells…Brown…Just pass her shoulders…Brown...Aunt Hazel if you are finish getting her Bio, I would like to know if the man…Okay…Great…Call me tomorrow…Bye.”

 Rita hung up the phone.

 “I’m going to kill you.”  Laura said turning around and leaning on the sink.

 “According to Aunt Hazel, Harry is still single.  She’s going to call Mildred tomorrow and see if we can’t get you two out on a date.”

 “Rita, when your Aunt Hazel calls tomorrow, tell her to forget it.”   Laura turned around and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  

?          Santa Monica - 1994 

  

Remington was sitting on the edge of Tracy’s white canopy bed telling her a bedtime story.  He looked down at the child to see if she was anywhere near falling asleep. 

Tracy was wide-awake and returned his smile eagerly.

 “Liebe, why are you still awake.  Are my stories starting to bore you already?”

 Tracy giggled then pushed some of her hair out of her face.

 “No, Daddy.  I still like your stories.”

 Remington was puzzled by the sad expression now on her face.

 “What is it Sweetheart?”  His voice was low and filled with concern.

 “Do you like girls?”

 Remington arched his right eyebrow.

 “Jessica Walsh’s brother, Bobby said boys aren’t ‘pose to cook.  He says boys who cook like boys and not girls.”  Tracy started fiddling with her fingers.  “Bobby says that is why I don’t have a Mummy.”

 “Liebe, you have a Mummy.”  Remington glanced over at the picture of him and Laura on her nightstand.  “She died when you were an infant.”

 “Daddy, I want you to go out with Nana’s friend…daughter…friend.”

 ‘Good, Lord’.   Remington thought looking at Tracy in chastisement and amazement.  She was as bad as Mildred, Daniel, Abigail and the Dragon Ladies.  But, Tracy had added eavesdropping to her list.

 “It was Nana’s friend’s, niece’s friend.  What have I told you about eavesdropping?”

 "I wasn’t.  You forgot to bring Buddy.”  She said pointing to the overweight cat lying at the foot of her bed.

 One point for Tracy, Remington smiled to himself.  Never admit you’re guilty.  He smiled trying to remember how many times he’d used that tactic on Laura.  He frowned when he realized he was starting to forget the little things about Laura.

 “Lots of girls like you, but you don’t like them.”

 Tracy broke his train of thought.

 “You don’t look at them.”  Tracy looked at him for a few seconds before she added, “Daddy, please go out with Nana’s friend…friend…niece.  If you do, I’ll behave this weekend when I go stay with Gram Abby.  I’ll do everything she tells me…even if I don’t like it.”

 Remington studied the child for a minute then ran his shaking hand through his thick hair. 

 When Mildred called him to ask if he would show Hazel’s niece friend around the city, he knew right away that she was trying to set him up.  Remington had told her he didn’t want to go out on any dates.  Mildred explained that this wasn’t a date, and that he would be doing her a big favor.

 “I’ll start eating my peas.”  Tracy blurted out before she could stop herself.  She started chewing on her bottom lip.

Remington gave Tracy a questioning look.  Tracy lowered her eyes.  He studied her and noticed how she tried not to look down at Buddy.

Tracy watched as Remington stood and walked over to her bedroom window.  She watched as he stared up towards heaven.

It has been six years since Laura died, and Remington was still not ready to move on.  He had devoted these last years to raising Tracy and opening a restaurant that he named after Tracy and Laura.  A woman was the last thing on his mind; even though, Mildred, Daniel, and Abigail have been trying to set him up with one.

Remington turned his attention back to Tracy.  He never thought there would come a time he would deny his daughter something he could tell she really wanted.

“Liebe, love is a funny thing.”  Remington walked back over to the child’s bed and sat down on the edge.  “It’s hard to explain to a child...young lady.”  He corrected knowing she was about to correct him as she always did.

“Do you remember in Sleeping Beauty how the Prince was the only one to wake the Princess?”

“Yea.”  Tracy answered glad he didn’t say anything more about the peas.

“Well…in my story…it’s the Prince who was asleep so to speak, and the Princess had to kiss him.”   Remington looked at Tracy and knew she wasn’t following him by the blank look on her face.  “How about I tell you another story that will hopefully explain…and put you to sleep?”

Tracy nodded.  Remington sighed then started: “Once upon a time there was a young Prince named Harry.  Prince Harry had lived with many family members in his youth, but he never had a place to call home.  Prince Harry was too young to understand why, but when he got older he realized a curse had been placed on him at a very young age…maybe even before birth.  Now,Prince Harry didn’t understand the curse or why the curse had been placed on him.” 

“Who placed the curse?”

 “Shh.”  Remington said brushing some hair out of face.  “Close your eyes and listen.”  He ordered in a soft gentle voice.

 “Now, Prince Harry accepted the curse and didn’t complain…he survived.  Then one day Prince Harry met Princess Laura.” 

“Mum…” Tracy yawned.

“Shh.”  Remington told her again noticing she was getting sleepy.  “Princess Laura,” he repeated.  “Princess Laura taught Prince Harry a lot about love, commitment, trust, and more.  She offered him a home.  Something no one else had ever done.  She broke the curse that was placed on Prince Harry.”

“Did they live happily ever after?”  Tracy asked in a very sleepy voice while she turned over onto her side and closing her eyes.

“Kinda.  Princess Laura had to go to Heaven to be with God.  But she left Prince Harry with a special gift so he wouldn’t be lonely.”  Remington watched Tracy as she slowly allowed sleep to conquer her.

“I want a Mummy.”  Tracy said in a very low sleepy voice. 

Remington didn’t have to answer because Tracy was sleep. 

Tracy stirred a little when he pushed some of her hair behind her ear.  Remington smiled then leaned over to kiss her temple.

“Sweet dreams, Liebe.”