Family of Steele

Part Six

Once Edward explained everything to Frances, he looked at her uncertainly. "Can you forgive an old man, Frannie, for trying to insure that his family was safe because of something he'd done years before?" he asked, his dark eyes suspiciously damp.
Frances nodded. "I can, Daddy - but Mother's another story. She's never to going to accept that you - lied to her all those years - "
"I know, Princess. That's why I want to wait to see her until after she's seen Laura and the babies- after she's had a chance to settle back in from her trip." He took both Frances' and Laura's hands. "It's so nice to have both of my girls with me again. I hear you have three children, Frannie."
"Laurie, Danny, and Mindy," she nodded. She smiled at Laura. "You two are lucky that my Danny hates the name Daniel, or there would a lot of confusion, with your having named your son Daniel as well."
"I'm looking forward to meeting them." He glanced at his watch. "What time is your mother due to arrive?"
"Around noon," Laura told him. "I called Fred and had him go to meet her."
"Then I'll go on. I 'm meeting someone for lunch." He kissed both of his daughters.
"Why don't you come to dinner tonight, Daddy?" Frances asked, not letting go of his hand. "That way you could meet the children- and I know Donald would like to see you again."
"Actually, Frannie, I've already seen Donald."
"You have?"
"I took him over to Donald's office earlier," Remington told his sister in law. "In fact, that's where we came here from."
"Oh."
"What time should I be there?" Edward asked.
"Around six. It's in Tarzana-" she said.
"I think I can find it," he assured her. "I'll be by later this evening, Laura," he told his other daughter.
Remington gave Laura a quick kiss himself. "I'll walk you out, Edward," he said, sensing that the sisters needed to talk in private about their father's return.

"Mother's going to be furious," Frances said. "After everything she's said all these years, about why Daddy left-"
"She didn't know the reason, Frances," Laura reminded her sister. "She simply thought he'd abandoned us-"
"But he didn't. He left money for us to live on -"
"That should have been a clue for me right there," Laura realized. "If he were going to just leave simply because he didn't care anymore, he wouldn't have taken the time to set up that trust fund that made it possible for Mother not to have to get a job."
"But you didn't know about that trust fund. Neither did I. I never thought about where Mother got the money to pay the bills, I suppose. It was just there."
"I know. Frances, Daddy said that he had been going to ask her for divorce anyway. Did you know that?"
"I know that they were arguing a lot just before he left- more than usual. About his traveling so much of the time, those spur of the moment trips that he was called on to take that Mother couldn't plan around. I'm not sure that they were ever really happy, Laura."
"He wanted to me to understand that they probably wouldn't get back together now that he's back."
"I never expected them to. Daddy's always been more independent than Mother wanted him to be. That's why you and she have always argued. You're a lot like him." She smiled. "Would you mind if I went over to Donald's office before Mother gets here?"
"Go on. Fred's supposed to call and let me know when they're on their way here. I'll call you at Donald's office and let you know."
"All right."

Remington returned a few minutes later, giving Laura a kiss. "How is Frances?"
"I think she'll be fine," Laura told him. "She went to see Donald before Mother arrives."
"I spoke to Dr. Thomas a while ago," he said, referring to the twins' pediatrician. "He says he thinks he's going to let them go home with you tomorrow."
"I'll be very glad to get out of here. Any word from Agatha or Mrs. Hobbs?"
"Mrs. Hobbs is due back this evening. And Agatha should be arriving then as well. Seems she was in Mexico." He smiled at her. "Did you know that Donald thinks I'm a very lucky man?"
"Donald? Why?"
"Because I married the sister who's least like our mother in law," he teased. "Seriously, he told me that he hoped Edward's return will restore that spirited young woman who always used to be able to make Donald laugh." Remington took her hand. "According to your father, you used to be quite the little scamp."
"And Daddy's telling tales out of school. Just because I did some crazy things when I was younger-"
"Like a fan dance at Pepe's in Acapulco?" He kissed her fingers as Laura reddened at the memory of that particular indiscretion. "I still haven't seen it, you know."
Laura's dimples appeared as she smiled. "I'll have to see what I can do about that. Can you stay and have lunch with me?"
"I really need to go to the office for a few minutes. Mildred mentioned something when I talked to her this morning about having a lunch date - and Antony wanted to talk to me about the Mitchelson matter."
"A lunch date? I didn't know that Mildred was seeing anyone at the moment."
Remington sighed. "Nor did I. She told me that it was someone she'd just met, and promised to tell me about him later."

Mildred entered the restaurant and looked around, smiling as Edward rose from the table where he was sitting. She crossed the room to join him, pleased when he came around to pull out her chair for her. "I'm sorry I'm late. Someone called to talk to Mr. Steele, and I thought I would never get off the phone."
"That's all right," Edward assured her, sitting back down. "I have plenty of time. Abigail's due to arrive before long, and I thought I should make myself scarce for the afternoon."
"Did you see Frances yet?"
He smiled. "At he hospital. That's very strange."
"What is?"
"You just called Frances by her given name, but you call Laura 'Mrs. Steele'."
"And before that, I called her Miss Holt," Mildred said. "I work for them. And I guess it's just a habit that I can't break- Mrs. Steele- Laura's given me permission to use her name, but I - I suppose I feel it's more professional not to."
"At the office, anyway. How long have you worked for Remington Steele Investigations, Mildred?"
"Oh, four years, I guess."
"And before that-"
Mildred shook her head. "How come I think you already know all of these answers, Edward?"
He smiled. "One of the hazards of my previous line of work, I suppose. I tend to check people out automatically. So we're both ex- government employees."
"Only you walked away- and I was fired."
"For 'dereliction of duty', wasn't it?"
Mildred nodded. "I was sent to audit Mr. Steele, and he took off to Acapulco on a case. I followed and helped solve it. I'd called in as I was supposed to, but my bosses didn't agree with my assessment of the case -"
"So Remington hired you as a receptionist. Not quite the same as being a detective."
"Believe me, I preferred it to what I'd been doing. And the pay was better, too. I'm trying to get my P.I. license, though. Thought it would give Laura and- Mr. Steele a break on occasion."
"You really are very fond of both of them, aren't you?"
Mildred smiled. "I told you last night that I think of them as my kids. Those two were always so RIGHT for each other. You know what I mean? From the moment I saw them, I couldn't help but think that Laura was crazy for not trusting him to stay around."
Edward sat back. "I have to take most of the blame for that, I suppose. I hoped that she would get over my leaving as I did. That it wouldn't mark her."
"I don't think it was all you," Edward," Mildred hastened to reassure him, then waited as the waiter came to take their orders. "Now where were we?" she asked at last.
"Laura's distrust of Remington and how it wasn't all my fault that she felt that way."
"Apparently she was involved with a young man right after college- a banker. She put everything she had into that relationship. But he couldn't handle her free spirited side, was afraid that it would be a liability to him in the banking profession. Especially after something that happened in Acapulco at a convention. So when she got home one day, he was gone, no note, no nothing."
"I guess she decided to change. To keep from being hurt anymore. I have a lot to make up to her and to Frances. And Abigail, I suppose."
Mildred played with a fork, keeping her eyes on the tablecloth. "Are you going to try to - resume your marriage?"
He was silent for a moment, then sat forward, placing his hand over hers to still its nervous movements and waited for her to look up at him. "Do you think I'd be here, now, with you, if I planned to do that, Mildred?" he asked, smiling. "My marriage to Abigail was over before I left. The only reason I came home at all was because of Frances and Laura. I wanted to give them both time to grow up, to establish lives of their own before I left their mother. But circumstances didn't prove agreeable to that plan. I might warn you that once Abigail finds out that we're seeing each other, she won't be pleased."
"Are we? Seeing each other, I mean?"
He smiled again. "I hope so," he told her, releasing her hand as their food arrived.

Laura was in the corridor outside the nursery with Frances and Remington when Abigail Holt arrived. She looked a bit frazzled, Remington thought, watching her approach her daughters. Laura smiled at her mother, and for once Remington failed to see the adolescent nervousness in her eyes that usually accompanied her mother's arrival. "Mother. I'm glad you're here."
"So am I, Laura," Abigail said, giving first Laura, then Frances brief embraces. She gave Remington one as well, but her eyes weren't as pleased. "You promised me- when I agreed to take that trip-"
"And how was I to know that the babies would decide to make their appearance a week early, Abigail?" he asked. "Would you like to see them?"
She linked her arm through his and through Laura's. "Which ones?" she asked, looking through the glass window at the bassinets. "No, don't tell me. It's got to be those two there." She looked up at her son in law. "All that dark hair-" Laura looked up at him with an "I told you so" smile. "And the little boy looks like you. Did you decide on names yet?"
Laura's voice was clear as she said, "Daniel Edward and Megan Abigail."
"Daniel- Edward? Laura, I can't believe that you would do that. After the way your father ran out- deserted us -"
"Maybe he didn't, Mother," Frances said from behind them, causing Abigail to turn around in surprise.
"What on earth is that supposed to mean, Frances?"
Remington gave Frances a steady look, then steered Abigail back to look at the window. "I thought you were here to see your new grandchildren, Abigail? Not discuss water under the bridge." Laura was right. Abigail Holt was NOT going to be in the least happy to see her ex-husband.

In Laura's room, Abigail looked again at Frances. "What did you mean, Frances? Of course Edward deserted us. He left, didn't he?"
"But he made certain we were taken care of financially, Mother," Frances pointed out. "That's why you never had to get a job like other single mothers did. Why you were able to pay for my wedding to Donald."
"So he left some money," Abigail admitted. "HE wasn't there. Don't you remember how upset you were when you had to ask your Uncle Teddy to walk you down the aisle in your father's place? How much you'd planned on that happening?"
"Yes, Mother, I was disappointed. But you're the one who planned it, not me."
"At least Laura agrees with me, don't you, dear?"
"No, I don't Mother," Laura said softly.
Abigail's eyes widened, and Remington was glad that he was standing by the door, just in case he had to make a quick departure. "You- Laura- You were hurt worse than anyone by your father's running off that way, by his not writing, or calling-"
"I'm sure he had his reasons, Mother."
"Excuses, you mean. Well, I just don't understand this. I don't understand why both of you have suddenly changed your minds about him."
"Perhaps it's because I'm a parent myself now," Laura said serenely.
"Who's willing to hand her children over to a perfect stranger to raise while she continues to work at- whatever it is she does."
Remington unfolded his arms, standing up straight. Abigail had gone on the attack, challenging Laura's ability as a mother. If she didn't stand up for herself now- "Agatha Brierly's not a perfect stranger, Mother. She's going to be there for those children, to take care of them when I can't. Hiring a nanny doesn't mean that I don't want to be there for my children, mother. Only that I want to make sure that they're protected when I can't be there. Just because I don't want to be a stay at home mother doesn't make me a bad mother. I think my children deserve a mother who's doing what she's happy doing what she's good at instead of someone who's forced to stay at home, becoming an unhappy -"
Remington thought now was a good time to jump into the conversation. "Now, Laura. You're being a bit harsh, aren't you? I'm sure your mother's only trying to explain what she thinks is best for the children and for you. Isn't that right, Abigail?"
Abigail turned to look at him, then picked up her purse and coat. "Obviously your hormones are still out of control, Laura, so I think I'll be going. Coming, Frances?"
Frances, emboldened by her sister's lack of fear of their mother, said, "I'm meeting Donald at his office later," she said. "So I think I'll just- stay here."
"Why don't you take the limo back to your place, Abigail," Remington suggested gently, aware that she was probably in shock. "Fred will drive you home."
"Thank you, Remington. Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into these two. I'll call you later, Frances."
"We're having company for dinner tonight," Frances quickly said. "So I'll call you."
"I'll walk you put," Remington offered, glancing at Laura and her sister as he left with the still angry woman.
Once they were gone, the sisters looked at each other. "That felt good," Laura said, smiling. "For the first time in years, I wasn't afraid of her."
Frances sat down, smiling as well. "I'm still shaking. I've never spoken that way to Mother."
"Then it's time you started, Frances," Laura declared, smiling.