Real Love Ch 29

Writer's Notes:

'Real Love' is my personal tribute to JammyJimmy's (JJ) story, 'Threads: The Island'. I give JJ credit, because credit is due, for this story and for my own inspiration and entrance into writing. 'Real Love' is actually the first story I wrote, even before 'Tale of Two Teens', my first published story.

As I was writing this story way back when, I was hoping JJ would be the editor. Having been unable to make contact with him, I have been reluctant to release it. Some say JJ has passed away, but I don't know. JJ, if you read this and want this story removed, please contact me. Several readers have relayed to me, both publically and privately, that they would like it released.

Therefore, 'Real Love' is an unauthorized, reimagined rewrite and sequel to JJ's story, 'Threads: The Island'. The general storyline in JJ's story is embedded in this story. Several of the character names have been changed because this is my story. Anyone who has read JJ's story will identify the characters quickly, starting with my main character, Bradley Weber, formerly known as Kyle Watson in JJ's story.

This story is long, but tolerant and filled with several emotions. If you stick with it, you will experience euphoria, happiness, sadness, sorrow and it will make you horny. You'll be disgusted, pissed off, scared and you'll grieve, cry, frown, smile and sometimes, you'll laugh, I hope.

'Real Love' starts off slow, but gains speed with age. Feel free to leave comments about what you like and what you dislike about the story. Feedback is a good thing for those writers who want to know what reader's like and dislike about their stories.

Please don't be mean in the comments because those that put in many hours over a period of several months, and thought into designing and writing these stories don't appreciate it, nor do they deserve it.

I do hope you enjoy the 'Real Love' series. Just don't forget one important detail -- it's fiction. Please do give us 'not so professional' writers a little slack.

JJ, wherever you are, whatever you're doing, fair winds and following seas my friend.

Let the saga of Bradley Weber continue...

MDSW

* * * * *

The team arrives at Packard Records at 8:10 on the button, a major miracle it happens that way, given the traffic in the area. Ted and Steve greet them and they exchange greetings as Brad introduces his sisters and the rest of the team. Then, Ted and Steve escort them to the manager's meeting. While in the elevator, Steve informs them of his instructions.

"My instructions are to interrupt the meeting by letting you into the room. Larry will greet you and take it from there," Steve says. "Have fun! And thank you for coming. This company is going to love you for being here today. You have no idea. We've been telling Larry to get you back here for about two weeks now so be prepared," he warns.

Ted opens the door to the room and allows them to enter. Steve and Ted remain nearby just in case they are needed, but that isn't likely to be necessary. Brad's security detail relaxes for a bit while they're in the meeting.

Larry is busy passing out some information when they enter, Brad first, but breaks it off when he sees the team enter. Sandi jumps up and gives each of them a hug as Larry holds everyone else in their seats.

Helen accidently notices them come in while working at her desk, and jumps up in total excitement, runs over to Angie, grabs her by the hand and pulls her into the meeting. Then, Larry asks Sandi and the two secretaries to be seated as he introduces the Packard Records team to Packard Empire team.

Larry says, "Team, standing before you are the new owners of the Packard Empire and their staff. It seems I forgot to tell you they will be here today," he says smiling.

"Allow me introduce each one. First is one you all of know, Mr Bradley Weber, one of three co-owners and yes, he got a haircut and a shave, looking a little more human..." he says and they laugh, "and he's now engaged to Ms Kelly Miller, his senior most executive staff assistant," he explains as cheers ring out.

"Next, we have Mr Weber's sisters and co-owners, Ms Stacy Capone and Ms Peggy Gray, both of whom are single. Next, is Ms Debi Gilbert, senior assistant to Mr Weber and she's also single. Then we have Mr Rick Akins, Peggy's assistant and Ms Nikki Jones, Stacy's assistant. Rick and Nikki are in a relationship as well, so for you guys, Kelly and Nikki are spoken for. For you ladies, Mr Weber and Mr Akins are spoken for."

The room breaks out in applause and hugs are handed out freely. The Packard team is impressed at the amount of hugs they get. After a while greeting everyone, they all settle into their seats and talk as a group for about two hours, exchanging ideas with exhilaration in the forefront.

"Larry, did you loose any employees since Little was fired?"

"Not a single one Brad."

"Wow! That is great news!"

"Does your staff know about your Island visit?"

"They do, but just the management staff. The supervisors and employees don't know -- at least I don't think they know."

They laugh as Larry asks one of the managers to get the employees into the meeting room for the expected meeting, letting him know when they're all there and advised him not to spoil the surprise! He departs to do so.

Larry looks at the team and says, "So, here's the plan. You will meet with the employees, talk for a while, then we'll have a catered meal, then spend the rest of the day with the employees, as long as they want, up to their normal quitting time. They have been waiting for your team to visit with them for about a month now and they will be extremely surprised and happy to see you here."

When the manager returns and says they're ready, Larry escorts Brad and company through the hallways and stops them behind the meeting room. He explains the sequence of events he's planned and gives them additional information.

Larry enters the meeting room with Sandi and Angie amid a round of applause. The girls sit down in the front row as Larry takes the podium and makes some announcements, the last of which is the company picnic tomorrow. Larry's managers are standing in the back of the room with smiles on their faces, knowing the surprise they will experience shortly. Helen stays in the hall with the rest of the team, out of sight.

Then he says, "I really tried hard to get the Packard team here today, but things didn't work out the way I originally planned," he admits.

"So, I have a different surprise for you," he says smiling. "Something you have been waiting nearly a month for."

Screams, cheers and applause break out as Team Brad enters the room. Smiles appear on Team Brad's faces. Then, a standing ovation. Everybody is on their feet.

Brad shakes Larry's hand, gives him a hi-five and steps to the podium, flanked by Kelly and Debi on either side, who also give Larry a hug and a hi-five on their way to share the podium with Brad. Cheers and applause are lasting long enough so Brad motions for them to tone it down so he can speak. Larry sits down next to Sandi in the front row.

"Hello Packard Records! How are you all doing?"

More cheers and applause break out as Brad covers his ears.

"I forgot to bring my ear plugs, but my first observation is that all of you look different than the last time I saw you! Even I look a little different!"

Again, more cheers and applause break out.

"That answers that. Thank you and hello again..." he says and waits for the noise level to drop. "Last I was here, I did introduce my staff and I don't want them to feel left out today, so I will do it again," he says, smiling as he takes a shot in the ribs by both his staffers. "The HOTTIE to my left is my senior staff assistant Ms Debi Gilbert, the one who's face is currently blushing, and she's also a single lady at the moment."

More applause break out.

"The HOTTIE on my right is my senior executive staff assistant, Ms Kelly Miller, who's face is also blushing."

More applause rings out.

"The other two HOTTIES you already know, only one of which is here."

They laugh at the obvious reference to Larry and Helen as Larry breaks into laughter.

"One of you asked, last we were here, if I was single and I said yes, I was, and I am, but I was also in a relationship. Believe it or not, that relationship has blossomed and I would like to introduce you to her. Would you like to meet her?"

Applause again.

Brad says, teasing them, "This is not something you have to sit through if you don't want to. I just thought..."

"Enough already. Introduce her please!" the crowd yells.

"What makes you think it's a 'her'?"

They laugh and Brad smiles, turns and looks at the back door to the meeting room as if he's waiting for her to show herself and everyone does the same. At the same time, he picks up Kelly's hand so everyone can see her engagement ring. Cheers rings out as he hugs her, gives her a quick peck and puts his arm on her shoulders as they face the crowd.

"We met in a very unprecedented way. As a result, I discovered I don't control who I fall in love with. The fact that she's an employee didn't make it easy for either of us, but it also didn't stop our love from growing either, so eventually, we had to succumb to the inevitable. I'm as proud of my choice as I am with our relationship... Ms Gilbert, however, is single and is rising through the ranks really fast. I may have to chain her to an anchor to slow her down so I can catch up to her," he says as he puts his other arm on her shoulders.

Both girls are all smiles, but Debi turns red as a beet as they're laughing.

"Ms Gilbert doesn't turn beet red very often so this is a good sign I've embarrassed her," he says as she smiles.

Brad removes his arms from their shoulders and gives Debi a hug as Kelly smiles. Then returns his attention to the group.

"Again, we appreciate the warm welcome you have given us... I made a promise to you, as we departed last time, that I would bring my sisters with me the next time we visited and I'm sorry to say, I didn't do that," he says as they enter the room, smiling and shaking their heads.

He looks up, seeing his sister enter the room and says, "I guess I did do that," as a smile forms on his face.

There's another standing ovation for the sisters and their assistants as they laugh and cheer again while Kelly moves to the other side of Brad and Debi moves over. Laughter turns into applause with cheers, whistles and cat calls as Stacy and Peggy approach Brad, followed by Nikki and Rick, and stand in a line beside Brad. He moves to stand between his sisters, putting his arms on their shoulders and hugs them. Helen also comes in and stands near the door after she closes it.

"I tried to talk them out of coming with me but they insisted... By the way, you gave my sisters a warmer welcome than you gave me! I'm seriously disappointed... and jealous... but they're beautiful, aren't they?" he says, smirking.

The crowd applauds and the Packard team follows suit.

"They look just like me, don't ya think," he says as he shuffles his suit and straightens his tie.

The crowd looks at him funny with no response.

"You're fired," he tells them.

Quickly, they laugh and applaud.

Brad's team starts laughing hysterically. Brad lost control of his laughter as he's surprised they reacted so quickly. It's a real response to a real question and he wasn't anticipating such a response.

"Okay, you're hired," he says as he laughs his ass off. "That was funny. If I was running this company, I'd want you guys to work for me in a heart beat... That was funny! It's good to know where your heads are at," he says and continues to laugh. "That was so funny."

They all laugh, including Larry, Sandi, Helen and Angie.

"Just to set the record straight, you guys are not fired... On my left is Ms Stacy Capone and on my right is Ms Peggy Gray. You may not understand why three siblings all have different last names so I will explain, because sometimes, I'm good at it. Then again, there are other times... Anyway, in reality, I'm just wasting time so I can hold my sisters a while longer."

Peggy and Stacy smile and blush as they give him a little nudge in his ribs, then put an arm around Brad. They're enjoying the light moments at Packard Records.

"Back then, our birth parents were seriously in love and, surprisingly enough, they got married. Danny and Karen Packard were living with the love of their lives for three years when they discovered they were pregnant. Twenty-three years ago, triplets were born, but in the process, our mother passed away from complications of child birth."

The room goes silent as the sadness of their loss strikes their emotions.

"Our father was devastated. He lost the love of his life, and now he has three infant children to raise, without their mother. Two days after birth, Danny Packard made one of the biggest personal decisions of his life and gave the three of us to adoption. Each of us was adopted by a different family and that's why we have different last names. We grew up not knowing we had each other as a family. We've only known each other for about three months. We're part of each other and won't give that up for the world. We are a family and wish we always were, but life has its trials, tribulations and rewards and here we are, united after 23 years..."

Stacy and Peggy give Brad a tight hug. A weak applause breaks out as the sadness of the moment begins to disappear.

"Let me change the subject for a second. We're all family here aren't we?"

Everyone nods.

"Would anyone object if we go on a first name basis?" Brad asks.

Everybody agrees to first names.

"Great. Thanks everyone. I like to be personable when talking with you and a first name basis is part of that for me."

"Okay, Peggy was a successful writer, but gave it up when she accepted this job. It seems she likes being a billionaire more than a writer. One of these days, I will figure out why," he says, rolling his eyes as the group laughs and Peggy smiles.

"Stacy is a successful photographer and you can see some of her work online. Stacy, on the other hand, likes both jobs... but, she does have a great camera."

Stacy bursts out laughing.

"I have to explain Stacy's outburst," he says. "She took photographs of most all of the guests at our father's funeral nearly three months ago. She showed some of them to me the next morning and they were absolutely awesome. I made the intelligent comment that she must have a great camera. She told me that complimenting a professional photographer on their camera is like complimenting a highly professional chef on his pots and pans."

The crowd laughs again as Brad kisses his sisters on the cheek, then moves to stand between their assistants. Rick and Nikki give him room as Brad puts his arms on their shoulders.

"Mr Rick Akins is Peggy's assistant and Ms Nikki Jones is Stacy's assistant and they're also in a relationship as well. Rick and Nikki top off our compliment of assistants and, as a team, we owners are very proud of them. We may even keep them employed for a few more days... Oh, I forgot. Both of my sisters are single, same as Debi."

A few giggles are evident, but not many.

Brad moves back to the podium.

"Do you know why Larry, Sandi and Helen came to visit us about two months ago?"

The crowd shakes their heads.

"If you remember our last visit, I told you things were going to change. Have they?" Brad asks.

They cheer and applaud.

"It's official and you can blame it on Larry. He was expecting changes and began quizzing me on what they were last we were here. One thing led to another and we ended up inviting three of them to the Island for more discussions. I really had to bend Larry's arm to get him to come, but it finally broke," he says, getting laughs from the group.

"However, I didn't expect any changes to happen this fast, but I'm glad they did. What you are feeling about your job, about this company, about yourself, and about your leadership, is a result of that meeting. Based on questions he asked the Packard team, it struck a chord and he wanted to pursue it. We had some serious discussions about how to treat employees and it worked out very well."

"To make a short story longer... Wait, I screwed that up."

They laugh.

"To make a long story short, we sat down and worked out how to make Packard Records a happier place to work at."

Brad raises his left hand.

"By a show of hands, how many of you would rather quit working here and go work for another company?"

Nobody raises their hand, just sit there shaking their heads.

Brad asks, "Is there something wrong with your heads? I asked for hands, but all I see is bobble heads."

A few laughs break the atmosphere.

Kelly scans the group and doesn't see a single hand, but notices Brad's hand still in the air. She whispers in his ear that his arm in still raised. Brad drops it and accidently knocks her on her head.

He looks at her and says, "Sorry Kelly."

He smiles and gives her a hug, then she rubs her head. Brad gives her head a kiss, then looks on the top of her head.

"I can't see where it knocked any sense into you so I guess you're okay."

The room fills with laughter as he gives her a hi-five. Then they return to the current topic.

"What does that tell you Brad?" a voice from the back asks.

"Aahaa! There is more than one smart ass in the room. Welcome aboard!" he says as the room laughs again.

"Just joking guys. Is Helen here?"

She speaks up, "Behind you Brad."

He turns around, finds her and turns back to the group.

"An interesting place to be. You like my butt that much?"

The crowd laughs hysterically. Larry, Sandi and Angie are also laughing with the crowd. Brad bows his head while shaking it with a smile, then covers his face with his hands, not believing he just said that. As he takes his hands away, a smile appears on his beet red face.

Kelly and the rest of the Packard team open their mouth and covers it with their hand in total shock, then laugh.

"I can't believe I just said that," Brad admits as his sisters say the same thing at the same time.

Brad goes to Helen, gives her a hug and apologizes while everyone continues to laugh. She gives him a hug in return and tells him no apology required, that it was funny. He takes her hand and leads her to the podium.

Returning amid the laughter, Brad says, "I'm sorry folks, I obviously couldn't pass on that impulse and I probably should have. Remember though, I'm just a 23 year old kid. I just apologized to Helen and I also apologize to all of you for my inappropriate remark."

"To answer your question, though, I don't know the answer because your suit pretty much hides everything on your backside," Helen says.

"OMG, I've created a monster!" Brad says with a stretched out facial expression.

They laugh again as Brad begins to take off his suit coat, but Kelly stops him as everyone continues laughing.

"Oh no you don't, Mr Bradley Weber. That's a private butt," Kelly says.

He turns to her, hugs her, gives her a peck on her forehead and whispers, "I love you."

He squeezes her again, then turns back to Helen as the laughter dies down.

"Helen, would you mind if I put you on the spot?"

"You already did, Brad, so another can't be any worse, I hope."

More laughter erupts.

"Good one Helen," he says as he gives her a hi-five.

"While you were visiting us, one of the team asked you how you felt about being a Packard Records employee. Would you tell everyone what you told us please."

"Do I have to?" she asks smiling.

Brad puts his hands together, as in a prayer, and nods, saying, "Please?"

"Okay... I told them I was not feeling all that great about Packard Records because Chuckie was ruining the company, as far as I was concerned. When he was fired, things changed dramatically and immediately, but still, I didn't have a good attitude about Packard Records at that time. I will admit, I was very happy Chuckie got himself fired though."