Family of Steele

Part Seven

Remington and Tony had just escorted Mr. Mitchelson out of the office when Mildred and Edward entered. "Edward. This is a surprise -"
"Hello, Remington. Tony. I was just about to head back toward the hospital after dropping Mildred off-"
"Why don't we ride over together? It will give me a chance to fill you in on Abigail's arrival."
"Good idea." He turned to Mildred. "I'll call you."
"All right," she said, not meeting Remington's gaze as she put her handbag under her desk.
"Get started on the Mitchelson case, Antony. Fill Mildred in on the particulars, will you?"
"Sure. Tell Laura that Jess will be by later to see her."
"I will."
Tony turned to look at Mildred. "And you said I was crazy for dating Steele's sister. What do you call dating Laura's father?"
"It was only lunch, Tony," Mildred pointed out. "What's up with the Mitchelson case?"

"Your lunch meeting was with Mildred?" Remington asked as he pulled the Auburn into traffic.
"Do you have a problem with that, Remington?"
"I don't. I happen to think a great deal of Mildred. But right now, do you really think you need the added complication?"
"No more than you needed me to return and start asking questions about how my daughter came to be married to a man that I chased halfway across Europe," Edward pointed out, his eyes on the cars ahead of them.
"Point taken, Edward," Remington said. "I think I'll leave that for Laura to explain. You have a -remarkable daughter there, if you didn't already know it."
"I'm aware of that. But she's - different. Not as -wild, for want of a better term."
"Laura? Wild?" Remington questioned.
"Nothing seemed to frighten her as a child. No tree was too big, no roof too high - a real daredevil- and she didn't care what anyone thought of her. She was Laura Holt, and if that wasn't good enough for people, then she didn't need them. Mildred told me about an old boyfriend of Laura's- a banker-"
"Wilson Jeffries," Remington supplied. "He came to the agency with a case a few years ago. He said some of the same things as you have. He implied that Laura was much more- free spirited than the woman I knew, willing to do anything, anytime. During the course of the case, I discovered that part of what changed her was Wilson's decision that she would be a liability to someone in a staid, conservative career like banking."
"That was Mildred's take on it as well. What happened in Acapulco that so terrified him?"
"That's something else that I think Laura should tell you. She wouldn't thank me for doing it. I believe she's slowly starting to return to her former self," Remington assured him. "You'd really think so if you could have heard her talking to her mother earlier."
"Really gave it to her?"
"With both barrels. And then Frances backed Laura up-"
Edward rolled his eyes. "Abigail must have been in shock."
"She was. I sent her home in the limo. You're going to have a problem there, Edward. Your daughters might have welcomed you home with open arms, but Abigail is another kettle of fish."
"I wish there was some other way of doing this than to drive a wedge between her and the girls."

Edward and Remington returned to the house later so that Edward could change for dinner at Frances and Donald's and were met by Mrs. Hobbs. "It's good to be home, Mr. Steele," the housekeeper told him, her curious gaze going to Edward.
"Mrs. Hobbs, this is Mrs. Steele's father- Edward Holt. He'll be staying here for a while."
"Mr. Holt. How are Mrs. Steele and the little ones, Mr. Steele?"
"Quite well, Mrs. Hobbs. They'll be coming home tomorrow morning."
"Wonderful news, sir. Agatha arrived an hour ago. She's upstairs in her room, unpacking." She smiled. "Will you be having dinner here, Mr. Steele?"
"I'm going back to the hospital," he told her. "And Mr. Holt is having dinner with Dr. and Mrs. Piper."
"That will give me time to get the house ready for the babies' arrival." She gave him a curious look. "I can't help but wonder what went on here these last few days. Even my kitchen isn't as neat as I expected it to be."
"We had a bit of trouble the other evening-" Remington said. "I'll explain it later." He turned to see Edward's smile as the woman left the room. "She's worth it, Edward. Believe me. I need to check in with Agatha-"
"Here I am, Mr. Steele," the woman said, coming down the stairs, a smile on her face as she saw the man with him. "Edward. I wondered if you might be here."
Edward took the woman's hands. "How are you doing, Aggie?"
She gave him a disapproving look, and Remington recalled the one time that Tony had called her that. She'd shut him down cold. But her disapproval was tempered now by something else. Remington looked from one to the other. "I take it you know one another?"
"Who do you think sent me to watch over Mrs. Steele and her babies, Mr. Steele?"
Edward's smile widened. "I knew that Radikin would make an attempt to get close to Laura, and I didn't want him using the babies to get to me. So I when I heard that Agatha was looking for a new situation outside of the government, I contacted her."
"I received word this morning that he's no longer a threat," Agatha said.
"I'd like to explain, Agatha, but I'm due at Frances' house for dinner to meet my other grandchildren. Can we talk later?"
"I'll look forward to it, Edward."
Edward climbed the stairs as Remington shook his head. "How long have you known my father in law, Agatha?"
She smiled. "For over thirty years. My late husband was one of the agents who died because of Andrew Radikin's treason, Mr. Steele. I met Edward when he went to England to find out who was responsible. We've stayed in touch ever since." She took a deep breath. "How soon will Mrs. Steele and the children be coming home?"
"Tomorrow morning," Remington told her, still in a daze as the result of what he'd just learned. "Probably around nine or ten."
"I'll have the nursery ready," she told him, ever efficient.

"DADDY sent her to us?" Laura repeated after Remington relayed the conversation.
"It would seem so. You see? He was looking out for you even though he wasn't here, Laura."
"I'll have to remember to thank him. Did you tell her about Nicholas Radikin's death?"
"After Edward left, we sat down and I filled both she and Mrs. Hobbs in on the events of last evening." He looked down at Daniel, who had stopped taking his bottle and was sound asleep. "Has your mother called again?"
"No. I think she'll wait until I'm home before she comes by. How long is Daddy going to wait before he sees her?"
"I have no idea. But I doubt it will be very long. I might as well tell you now that he had lunch with Mildred today."
Laura's eyes widened. "OUR Mildred? Mildred Krebbs?"
"Do you know another Mildred, Laura? I noticed last night that they seemed to have hit it off, but I was surprised when they returned to the office together from lunch."
"I remember thinking last night that she had used his given name- Do you think it's serious?"
"What's wrong, love? Suddenly realizing that Mildred could become your step mother?"
Laura laughed, then her face grew serious. "Mother. If she even suspects- she's jealous of Mildred anyway- Oh, my."
"I think that is something which we should let your father handle. It's between the three of them," he said, putting Daniel back into the bassinet. "Is Megan asleep?"
"Yes. She took most of her bottle."
"Good." He took his daughter in to his arms, and placed her beside her brother, before returning to sit on the edge of Laura's bed. Laura called for the nurse to come and get the babies.
"Have you had dinner?" Laura asked.
"No. Have you?"
"Not yet. And they've usually served it by now." The nurse knocked softly, then entered the room. "They both just about finished their formula," Laura told her.
"That's good news," the nurse said, wheeling the bassinet from the room.
Laura settled into Remington's arms. "I haven't thanked you for the flowers," she told him. "They're lovely."
"You're very welcome," he said, taking out his pocket watch to check the time with the clock on the wall and then frowning.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing," he said, putting the watch back as there was a knock on the door. "Come in."
The door opened to admit Claude, the maitre'd from Che Rive, with a serving cart. "Mr and Mrs. Steele. Sorry I am late, Mr. Steele, but -"
"That's quite all right, Claude. Thank you for coming." He turned back to watch Laura's surprised expression as the man set up a small table, then placed two china place settings on it. He glanced up at the sprinkler system in the ceiling, then decided not to light the candle he had brought.
"What on earth-" Laura said. "Remington-"
"I know how much you hate hospital food, Laura. So I made arrangements for Claude to bring us something from the restaurant." He held out an arm to escort her to the table as Claude took his position nearby. Once they were seated, Claude deftly poured the wine he'd brought, and removed the silver covers from the plates.
"If that will be all, Mr. Steele?"
"Thank you, Claude. I'll see that everything is returned to the restaurant later."
"Of course. And may I say that you and Mrs. Steele are very lucky to have such beautiful children?"
"You may. And thank you."
Remington picked up his fork as the door closed, still smiling at the look on Laura's face. "Your food's getting cold," he told her.
She grinned. "I feel positively decadent for doing something like this-"
"I can call Claude to come back and get it," he said, putting his napkin on the table and starting to rise. "And ask the nurse to bring you the dinner they intended for you-"
Laura reached across to grab his hand. "Don't you dare." Remington picked up his napkin, leaving something behind on the table. Laura picked up the diamond earrings-"What-?"
"The "Lucky Lady" was part of a set," he told her. "I found those the other day and decided they would make a perfect thank you gift."
"Remington- you have to stop doing things like this," she said, but her eyes shone like diamonds themselves as she slipped the earrings on. "You're going to regret it when I start expecting it."
"Never," he assured her, smiling. "Now eat your food."
She shook her head. "Not until I've said thank you as well," she told him, leaning across the table.
Remington met her halfway to accept her kiss, surprised when she took his face in her hands to lengthen what he had intended to be a chaste touch. "Laura," he said at last, his forehead resting against hers, "I love you."
"And I love you." She slowly drew back to pick up her fork. "If you spoil me this way, I hate to think about what you're going to do with the children. They're going to be impossible."
"With Agatha around? I seriously doubt it." He watched her take a bite of the trout almondine and close her eyes. "I wonder how Edward's evening at Frances' is going?"

"It went wonderfully," Edward told him later, as they sat in the study of Steele House, as Mildred had dubbed the place, over brandy. "The kids were a bit shy at first, after all, I am virtually a stranger to them, but by the time I left, we were all old buddies. And it's good to see Frances and Donald are happy. I must admit, I had some reservations about her having married him. I knew he planned to be a dentist, like his father, but I always felt that Abigail was pushing Frances toward that marriage because it was what SHE wanted for her daughter." He shook his head. "As I said, they seem to be happy. And those kids- Danny's a good boy."
"I know. We very nearly didn't name our son Daniel because we didn't want to create confusion. But Laura told Frances how important it was to me to name my son for my father-"
"Daniel Chalmers. I would never had pegged Chalmers as being your father."
"I wouldn't have either," Remington admitted. "Did you know-"
"Met him the same way I almost met you a few years back," Edward told him, studying the end of the cigar he held in his fingers. "He was good. Damn good."
"Yes. He was."
"Like father like son, eh?" Edward asked.
Remington finished his brandy. They were getting into dangerous territory. "It's getting late, and I have to be up early to bring Laura and the children home. I'd better get to bed."
"Mysteries fascinate me almost as much as they do my daughter," Edward warned.
"This is one mystery that your daughter is going to have to clear up," Remington told him.
"To do involve her means that I'll have to tell her about the Contessa."
"Once she's home, I have no problem with your telling her about it. My life is an open book to Laura, Edward. Although, there was a time when that wasn't the case. Now, however, I don't keep secrets from her about my past. I'll see you in the morning."
Edward sat there in the study, finishing his cigar and brandy. So Laura knew the truth. He was going to have a long talk with his younger daughter at the first possible opportunity.

He was in the living room the next morning waiting with Robert for Katherine, Jessica and Remington to settle Laura upstairs when there was a knock on the front door. He watched as Remington came down the stairs, calling out to the housekeeper as he did. "I'll get it, Mrs. Hobbs." The door opened, and Remington stepped back. "Abigail. What a surprise."
"It shouldn't be," she told him, coming into the house. "I thought Laura might be in a better mood-" she stopped as she saw the man standing in the living room doorway.
"Hello, Abby. You're looking well."
Remington quickly stepped behind her to catch her as she started sliding toward the floor. "Oops. I don't think she was expecting to see you, Edward," he said, carrying her to the sofa. "Robert, could you ask Mrs. Hobbs for a cold cloth? And some brandy, I think."
"She won't touch it," Edward said. "She hates brandy." He remained behind the couch, out of Abigail's direct line of vision should she awake.
Robert returned with Katherine in tow, and handed Remington the cloth. Abigail's eyes opened suddenly at the touch of the cool water, and she frowned at Remington. "What happened?"
"You fainted," he told her.
Memory returned, and she sat up, looking around until she found the person she was looking for. "YOU. What are you doing here?"
"I came back to see my daughters," Edward told her as Remington put a glass of brandy into her hand.
Abigail looked at it. "What's this?"
"Brandy. I suggest-"
She pushed it back toward him. "No thank you." She got to her feet, turning an accusing gaze on Remington. "How long has he been here?"
"Two days," Remington told her. "If you'll just listen to him, Abigail, he can explain-"
"Explain? Oh, I'm sure he can. He could always explain EVERYthing. I suppose this explains why Laura and Frances have suddenly turned against me-"
"They haven't turned against you, Abigail," Edward sighed. "They've simply started thinking for themselves."
Abigail started from the room. "Where are you going?" Remington asked.
"Away from him. Tell Laura that she knows my number if she wants to talk."
Remington stood at the door, watching her head toward the car, and knew he couldn't let her leave as angry as she was. "Abigail! Wait!" he followed her to the car, and took her keys.
"Give those back to me, Remington!"
"No, Abigail. You're going to listen to me, and then you're going to go back into that house and spend a few minutes with Laura and your grandchildren. All I ask is ten minutes, Abigail. Is that too much to ask?" He smiled at her, that smile that he knew she could never resist.
"Now I know why Laura married you. You're just like him, you know. Just as charming- and just as dangerous." She stood there, watching him. "You have ten minutes, Remington."

Edward watched from the front living room windows as Remington spoke quietly to Abigail. "She seems to be listening to him," Katherine commented. "Don't worry, Edward. If anyone can talk to her, it's Remington."
"I hope so. I didn't come back to destroy Abigail's relationship with her daughters. They're as much a part of her as they are of me."
"From what I've seen, Laura and her mother haven't much of a relationship anyway," Robert commented. "I don't mean that in a bad way, Edward," he clarified.
"Believe me, Robert, I understand. Laura and her mother have been at cross purposes ever since Laura was born. And it only made Abigail that much more determined to bring Laura into line." He turned back toward the view. "They're coming back inside," Edward said, considering for a moment leaving the room through the side door so he wouldn't have to face his ex-wife again. But Robert put a hand on his arm.
"Buck up, old man. Time to face the music."
"More likely a full fledge inquisition," Edward muttered.
They heard the front door open, and as Remington appeared with Abigail, Robert spoke to Katherine. "Why don't you and I go for a walk in the garden, Katherine? Harley mentioned that the roses are blooming -"
Katherine sent Edward a sympathetic smile. "That's a good idea, Robert. Excuse us."
Edward stood there as Remington led Abigail farther into the room. "Before you say anything, Abigail, I just want to say that I'm sorry for not having told you the truth - but I thought I was doing what was best for everyone -"
Abigail looked at him for a long moment. "I agreed to come back in here to see my daughter and her new babies, Edward. Now, if you'll excuse me, Remington, - I'm going upstairs to see Laura."
Remington nodded as she left the room, watching Edward. "That is one stubborn woman," Edward ground out softly.
"Yes. She's still in shock, Edward. Give her some time to- think about what I've told her. I'm sure that she'll be fine -"
"And your optimism in unbelievable. I think I'll go into town for awhile - give her some time with Laura without having to worry that I might come into the room. Tell Laura-"
"I'll take care of it, Edward. Why don't you use Laura's car?" he suggested, handing him the keys. He stood in the doorway, watching as the red car sped away, then turned toward the stairs, his expression thoughtful.