This story is intended for amusement purposes only. This story is not meant to infringe on the names of Remington Steele, Laura Holt or anything that would cause MTM productions or anybody else to sue me. This story is the property of Lisa Watson ã 2001.
Light flooded across Remington's face. He scrunched his eyes tighter in an effort to block the blinding intrusion. With an arm draped across his eyes, Remington tried to plunge himself back into darkness. Just then, he heard a small, stifled giggle. His arm lowered and he opened his eyes. It took several repetitive blinks before he could make out anything with clarity. Turning his head slightly, he encountered two small figures standing patiently to his right with eager eyes.
"Are you my alarm clock?" Remington asked in a voice heavily laced with sleep.
"Umm, I guess so," Giselle replied in her slightly accented English.
Remington's gaze traveled to the small boy fidgeting next to his sister. "Who are you, the snooze button?"
"No, I'm Colin," the child giggled, his English just as proficient as his sisters.
"I see," Remington yawned, running a hand over his face.
He was wearing pajama bottoms so he sat up in bed and then swung his feet to the floor. Knowing this signaled his adieu to slumber, the children scampered on the bed beside him.
"Seeing as how you're up now," Giselle reasoned, "can you play with us?"
Remington bestowed on her the smile he reserved strictly for getting his way with females. Leaving nothing to chance, he lowered himself to her height. "Don't I get to eat first? Have a shower?"
Every bit her mother's daughter, Giselle refused to be swayed by impeccable charm and Adonis good looks. She batted long lashes right back at him. Her smile was just as wide, and her voice a soft melodious purr. "Then you'll play with us?"
Impressed, Remington sat back on his haunches. Felecia's daughter was as accomplished at getting her way as he was. With a slight nod he acknowledged their stalemate. "Of course," Remington promised. "Wild horses wouldn't keep me from honoring our bargain."
Convinced of his sincerity, Giselle hopped down, dragging her younger brother with her. He wasn't moved by Remington's smile and loudly protested being put off.
"Why can't we play now? He's going to take too long in the shower," Colin whined. "just like papa does."
Only after they'd left the cottage, shutting the door firmly behind them, did Remington allow himself a chuckle at Felecia's offspring. Whistling an old tune he'd learned as a boy, he headed for the bathroom.
###
Los Angeles was rainy and dreary. The weather a tell-tale echo of the mood at Remington Steele Investigations. Mildred practically jumped every time the telephone rang while Laura sequestered herself in her office doing "paperwork." Mildred wasn't buying it. She knew any "paperwork" Laura was buried in was non-existent." All the files were up to date, and they hadn't had a client all week.
True to his word, Remington had called a few days prior to let Mildred know he was all right. He was evasive when Mildred tried to find out his location or a call back number only telling her that he was in Europe and staying with friends. Mildred quirked her eyebrow after hearing what sounded like a crowd of people in the background. Mildred sensed it wasn't the time for one of her lectures, instead telling him that so she told him she missed him, and to stay out of trouble.
Remington promised he'd do no such thing and rang off. At ease that her ward had arrived wherever he was safely Mildred let it go. When Laura came in that morning, more chipper than Mildred had been in days she stated that Remington had called her and was fine. Laura's jaw clenched slightly when she'd heard the news but other than that she showed no sign of emotion. She simply nodded and went in to her office. Mildred rolled her eyes heavenward and said a prayer for patience.
"Mildred? Earth to Mildred, are you there?" A voice boomed over her.
"What? Oh my, pardon me sir but...Oh it's you." Mildred said in a voice laden with displeasure.
"Yes it's me Mildred. I'm fine, thanks for asking. Is Laura in?" Tony said with sugared sweetness.
Mildred didn't bother to answer but picked up the phone to buzz Laura.
Laura was at her door in two seconds and smiled brightly when Tony headed toward her.
"Good morning Mr. Roselli. What brings you by?" Laura said as she stepped aside and let him enter.
"This," Tony said as he shut the door behind him and gathered Laura in his arms and kissed her soundly.
Laura responded and curved her arms around his neck. Tony molded her closer to him and lengthened the kiss.
"So gorgeous, I take it you've missed me?" Tony laughed as he released Laura and leaned against her desk with his feet crossed in front of him.
Laura's eyes clouded over when she looked at his stance. Tony could see her glazed expression and wondered at the cause.
"Laura you still with me?" Tony said after a few seconds of silence.
"Hmm? Oh yes..sorry about that." Laura said as she sat down at her desk.
"What were you daydreaming about just now?" Tony asked.
"Nothing important." Laura said dismissively.
"I see. Well in that case what would you say to lunch with your biggest admirer?"
"I'd say your timing Mr. Roselli is perfect."
###
Remington's knees ached from the amount of time he'd spent galloping around the carpeted floors of the play room. In the past hour he'd been a horse, a space ship, a grand prix racer and a ferocious lion. Felecia had come in on the last go round and firmly told her kids to ease up on their house guest.
"But he said we could," Her children wailed as they were herded downstairs for lunch by their nanny.
Felecia stood over a prostrate Remington and smiled knowingly.
"I warned you," She laughed.
"So you did. Next time I'm sure I'll heed your advice." Remington said as he eased himself slowly to a standing position.
"Are you staying for lunch or have you made plans?" Felecia inquired.
"Actually I'm meeting an old acquaintance in town." Remington replied.
"An acquaintance eh? Must be female," Felecia said perceptively.
"Does anything get passed you?" Remington said in awe.
"Darling it's not over till it's over," Felecia laughed.
"So I see. Do you think your driver could give me a lift?"
"Of course but if you'd prefer you can drive yourself. We've got plenty of automobiles lying around so take your pick,"
"Are you sure? I mean you've been more than generous already,"
"Nonsense. I told you when you arrived that you're our guest and whatever you need is at your disposal,"
"I know," Remington said warmly.
"Well good. Don't cause me to remind you again. Now I suggest you scamper off before the children finish their lunch." Felecia said pushing him in the direction of the stairs.
"They're divine Felecia but I agree, the next time they may turn me into a Boa Constrictor." Remington shivered as he kissed her on the cheek and headed down the staircase.
Felecia looked after him until he'd gone then with a shake of her head she turned and went in search of her husband.
"I'm telling you there's more to this than meets the eye," Felecia said as she put her pen down on her desk.
"Maybe he's just here on holiday as he said," Rene said as he lifted his head from his magazine.
"Oh I don't believe that for an instant Rene. He's here because something has transpired between him and his little paramour Lisa,"
"Lisa? I thought her name was Laura, no?" Rene said confused.
"It is, that's just my...pet name for her," Felecia said grinning mischievously.
Rene put his magazine down and came over to his wife. He pulled her from her desk and into his arms.
"I'll bet there's more to this than you're telling me, mon petit chaton," Rene said as he kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Believe me darling, when I find out what's going on you'll be the first to know," Felecia promised as she wrapped her arms around her husband and returned his kiss.