Steele Alone for the Holidays - Part V

   Laura eyed her Christmas tree from her spot on the couch.  Dinner at her sister's house had gone smoothly and she'd had a great time.  Bernice and Murphy stopped in to have dessert, exchange gifts and sing Christmas carols.  Laura was elated spending the holidays surrounded by her closest friends and loved ones.  Loved ones.  Eventually, his absence had loomed over her like a snow cloud in Connecticut.  All eyes were riveted on her when she'd announced she was leaving.  The children's eyes were genuinely sad to see her go.  All the adult eyes were knowingly sympathetic, even Murphy's.  Laura had arched an eyebrow at Murphy, it was so reminiscent of Remington Steele, he had to chuckle.

    "I guess you really miss the suit huh?"  Murphy smiled.

    Laura swallowed the lump in her throat.  "Yes, I do Murph."

    He shook his head.   "I never thought it would happen to you, falling for a guy like that."

    Laura read acceptance in his eyes and reached up to hug her dearest friend.  "I'm sure stranger things have happened."

    "Where?"  Murphy said seriously.

    ###

    Nero jumped on Laura's lap, interrupting her reverie. 

    "Hey sweety, and how was your Christmas dinner?"  Laura crooned against the cat's soft face.

    Purring loudly, Nero butted Laura's chin in return before jumping down.  She was just about to turn out the lights and get ready for bed when her phone rang.  Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest as she grabbed the receiver.

    "Hello?"  She said excitedly.

    "Relax Linda, it's only me."

    "Daniel?  What?  What are you doing calling me?  Has something happened?  Is Mr. Steele alright?"  Laura frantically.

    "Well, that depends on you Miss Holt,"

    "On me?"

    "Yes, and on how fast you can catch a plane to London."

###

    Remington pulled his collar tighter around his neck and rang the doorbell again. 

    "Hold your horses, there ain't no rush!" 

    The door was suddenly wrenched open, bringing Remington was face to face with a surly looking young man.  His appearance was disheveled and Remington was certain it had nothing to do with the time.

    "Look 'ere, no reason to press the bloody ringer off the door.  State your business, then be on your way."

    Remington took a full minute to find his voice.  He'd recognized his "brother" the moment he'd seen him.  "Simon?"

    "That's right.  Who might you be?   From the looks of you, I'd wager you be one of those fancy barristers.  Come to set us out have you?  Well we ain't goin', so you'd best piss off!"

    He was about to slam the door in Remington's face but he wedged his foot between the door and door jam.  "I'm not a barrister and I'm not here to set you out.  I'm looking for Peter or Cecily Chester."

    "How is it you know our names but we don't know yours?"

    "My name is Steele.  Remington Steele,"

    Simon curled his lips in distaste.  "Odd name, bit light in the knickers are you?"

    A pained expression briefly crossed Remington's face but in an instant, it was gone.  "Perhaps you'd remember the one I used the last time I was here," he said coldly.  "Reginald Chester?" 

    The color drained slightly from the face of his one time brother.  He staggered backward and without inviting Remington in, went to a side table and poured himself a generous helping of whisky.  Once it was gone he poured another and gulped it down.  "Good Lord!  Reggie!  What the hell are you doing back 'ere?  Never thought we'd see the likes of you again."

    Remington eyed Simon with displeasure.  "Obviously." 

    "Simon?  What's all the commotion about ya bum?  If you're down 'ere having another one of your party's with my booze I'll..."

    The man stopped short when he entered the room.  He eyed Remington and raised an eyebrow at his son.  "Eh, was this?  Whatcha done now boy?  I swear I'll pop you good if you're in trouble with the law."

    His son ignored him and pointed an unsteady finger at Remington.  "He ain't no copper, come to see you and mum he did," he laughed loudly.

    The man turned a curious eye toward Remington.  "Here to see me and the Mrs.?"

    "Yes.  Odd, I thought you'd remember me.  I doubt I've changed that much, then again, it's been some time since you've seen me or gotten a quid out of the system for me," he said acidly.

    It took some time but realization finally dawned.  "Reggie?"  The old man whispered.

    "Ah, I see the memory improves,"  Remington looked at the portly man and felt anger and resentment burning a hole in his stomach. 

    "What are you doing 'ere?"  Mrs. Chester croaked from the door way.  "It's been twenty years since we've seen you last!" 

    Remington turned toward the shocked voice and his eyes froze to a brittle blue.  "Mum Cecily, I knew I could count on you not to have forgotten the face on the government check.  Seems like things haven't improved since the last time I was here.  What happened?  The powers that be finally figure out this family wasn't fit to adopt a dog much less a child?"

    At that Simon took a step toward Remington but his father reached out and stopped him.  He wasn't a fool; he knew his son wouldn't last a second against the determined man standing there. 

    "See 'ere now, you can't just come in 'ere spoutin' your filth and lies!"  Simon yelled.

    Remington laughed harshly.  "Lies?   Which lies would that be Simon?  This family deceived the orphanage to get me here and then the lot of you treated me like some lowborn servant and got paid for it to boot!  It was all figured out wasn't it?"  Remington sneered at them.   "You'd clean me up real nice when someone came to check on me and shower me with love and affection.  Once that front door closed, it was back to being your slave!   Well, I survived didn't I?  I gathered enough wits about me to runaway from this hovel and cut it on my own.  Finally realized anything the streets had to offer was better than this hellhole!  At least what's out there is honest and straightforward; you know what's coming at you.  Sure I was down on my luck but I survived.  Thanks to a man who befriended me, took me under his wing and mentored me.  He changed my life around; showed me what real love and affection was all about.  Now I have the love I so desperately craved, friends that are as close to me as any family could ever be.  I've made an honest go of it and what you see before you now, is a man of considerable means.  No thanks to any of you pathetic excuses for human beings!"

    Remington was shaking from the pent up feelings he'd hidden for so many years.  His chest heaved with exertion but he felt better for it.  The bile he'd been holding on to had finally been released and he felt relieved.  He was going to press them for information about his birth parents but he knew they would be as clueless of that information as they were everything else.

    "So that's all you came here for?  To tell us how miserable your life with us here was and how you've made good?   Well, you've done that so be on your way," Peter said gruffly.

    Remington looked at them all again, slowly, devoid of emotion for any of them.  Without another thought he turned toward the door, dismissing them all.  His hand was on the handle before Cecily spoke.

    "I know you won't believe me, but I'm happy things turned out well for you, Mr. Steele."

    "You're right, I don't."  Remington replied and shut the door firmly behind him.

    "Who the bloody hell does that poofter think he is coming in 'ere givin' us the what for?"  Peter raged.  "He should be kissing our feet for giving him a place to stay, food to eat.  He was a bloody orphan and we took him in and that's the thanks we get?"

    Simon cursed loudly and grabbed his drink off the table.  He downed it and slammed the glass back down.  "Bollix!  I should've given him a taste of me fist!"

    "Oh shut up, both of you!"  Cecily said, tersely.  "It's over with and we had it coming.  Let's just be done with it," she said and went back to her room.

    Simon waited until she'd left before looking toward his father.  "I'd say that upstart needs a lesson don't you?"

    Peter smiled knowingly and his chest puffed up with pride.  "That's me boy," he whispered.  "I'd say you was right on that score.  Nobody talks to a Chester that way.  The way I see it, Remington Steele got his just desserts comin' to 'im and we're gonna see he gets 'em!" 

To Be Continued...