The Bridge - Ch 26 - a Lot Lie...

The Bridge - Chapter Twenty-Six - A lot like Christmas

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work is copy written by the author. All characters involved in sexual activity are eighteen years of age or older at the time of portrayal.

This work will, at times, contain instances of lesbian sex, pregnancy, interracial sex, chastity, group sex, Dominance and submission, tattoos and piercings, slavery, intrigue, action, romance and affection. There are also threats of violence and a fair amount of heroism and family love and fun.

I have put this into the Lesbian Sex category because it is where I seem to be getting the most hits. Also, that's where the sex is in this one. Your positive ratings and comments, positive or negative, are welcome and appreciated. If you have read this story from the beginning, I would like to thank you. I hope someone is enjoying reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.

Chapter 26 - A lot like Christmas

I woke up to screaming babies and children in need of getting dressed and fed before school. Duane, as has become the norm of late, was gone. Probably already at the Navy Yard. I made a quick bathroom run and before I knew it, I had a coffee cup in my hand and the kids were out the door with Avi and Anthony. When I came into the kitchen after the kids were off, Bertha greeted me with a stern look and the words that I could not wait to hear. "Full breakfast for you, missy, how do you want your eggs?"

"Bertha, you're the best." I said, as I watched little Ellie scooting around in her little sit me up seat that she was padding around in."

"Are you okay, missy? You've been looking pretty stressed lately. I think you are stretching yourself out too thin and it's having an effect on you."

"Ya think?"

"Go look in the mirror. You're a beautiful girl, Hannah Todd. You better take some time to cool off, I can see how it's taking its toll. I'd hate to see you turn into an old lady before your time."

"Thanks, Bertha. You're a love. I'll take it under advisement."

"You really should," Holly said as she came into the kitchen. "I'm surprised Duane hasn't said something."

"Is it really that bad?"

"No, but I can see it heading in that direction."

Holly was making a comeback, so I took her at her word. "What do you think I should do?"

"You should let your people run your companies for a month and you and Duane should take a long vacation. Away from the kids too. You both need it."

This coming from Holly blew me away. But not totally. She appears to have accepted the depth of mine and Duane's relationship, and was now focusing her attention on being a housewife and mother to the five kids. I was becoming not only wife to Duane, but husband to Holly and father to the kids. It was strange, but felt right. More than anything, though, I was happy Holly was finding her happy place.

She's started taking the social planning away from Lizzie, fortunately, because Liz was very busy with Recovery and Acquisition. She also got more involved with Celeste's swimming when it occurred to her that this kid really does have a shot at the big time. Her friendship with Gloria Tuttlehill grew stronger, as she spent more and more time there with Celeste. Something that would happen until our pool was completed.

Holly also ended up close with Peggy, as she would accompany Herman to Celeste's meets. They would sit together and nobody would cheer harder for Cee Cee than Peggy. Excuse me, Aunt Peggy. One time Peggy was over and braided her hair. She had her best race ever. After that, every time she would visit Ceece would ask her if she could do her hair and every time she did. It got to the point where she would insist that Peggy be there to braid her hair. One time Peg gave her a two tailed French Braid. A tight one. Cee Cee loved it and swam her best race ever with that hairstyle. I told her that we'd have the hairdresser over before she raced to do it, but she insisted that Aunt Peggy do it. Races were all on the weekends and Peggy had weekends off, and during the racing season Herman and Peggy built their Saturdays around Celeste's racing schedule. And their budding releationship. Of course.

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December came and I was spending most of my time at home, either tending to the kids or running things from what I call the 'Mother Ship,' my home office. Holly had moved out of the office and was running household and social affairs off her laptop on the small desk that Bertha used in her kitchen, which they were now sharing. The other desk in my office lay empty, except for occasional use by Lizzie or Duane. Occasionally Herman, as well. I still took the occasional in-person meeting down at the Navy Yard, and at Larry and Linnie's office, but mostly I took advantage of being the boss. Believe me, I got the job done. I didn't need to be in someone's presence to give them a good dressing down, a rare occurrence with my people.

Saturday, December Fourth, would be the last meet of the season for Cee Cee, and we would all be there. Harriet wasn't racing this week but she would be there for Celeste. As would Herman and Peg. I was hanging in the video conference room watching videos of my hit squad practicing for the upcoming execution of Clyde Makoo. They looked great, but they always do. They were ready and I was going to put Herman in charge of the operation. But he preempted me. My supercell went off and it was him. He is so my guy. He even knows when I am thinking about him.

"Herman. What's up, my friend?"

"Hannah, I have a favor to ask. A big one. I know I have to ask Holly, but I wanted to ask you first... get your feedback."

"Sure, Herm. Whatcha got?"

"Peg and I were talking, and after Celeste's meet, we'd like to take her downtown to spend the night with us. You know, take her out to dinner, show her around Peggy's neighborhood, that sort of thing."

"I love it. I'm not sure where Holly stands on this kind of thing, but I like it. Would you consider taking Holly along with you?"

"I guess. But I really wanted this to be a bonding experience between my two best girls."

"Let me call you back, Herm. I'm gonna go down and talk to Ms. Bernstein right now."

"Thanks, Hannah. I can't tell you how important it is to me that these two get along."

"Trust me, my friend, I can tell already."

"Thanks again. Let me know."

I didn't hesitate for a second. Neither did Holly. "Of course. When Celeste hears that she will be so happy. I'll bet she will swim her best race ever. And she did, with her tight braids and her hours and hours of practice, she won her class in the fifty-meter crawl, and blew everyone away in the fifty-meter breast stroke. It wasn't even close. She was also scheduled to compete in the hundred-meter breast stroke, one of the toughest races for girls this age. One lap up and one lap back. She, Herman and Harry had been working on the endurance aspect of the hundred meters, which was a stretch at this age. Herman told her, "If you can make it, you can win it." She made it her mantra.

When the race was about to start, Herman called Celeste and went over to her. Holding her hands he was talking to her and then he whispered something into her ear. She smiled, put her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. Holly, Peggy and I all went, 'Ahhh.'

She lined up with the four other qualifying contenders and when the gun went off, they were all in the pool in a heartbeat. And they were breast stroking their little hearts out. Celeste immediately jumped out in front, but her main competitor, a girl a year older, five pounds heavier and an inch taller than her was right on her six. Celeste hit the wall and a half length later the girl hit it and she was still on her tail. Holly and I looked at each other, like it didn't look like Cee Cee was gonna do it this time. Then when she was about four strokes off the wall, Herman said, "Watch this." He knew something we didn't, of course, and Celeste turned on the jets, and pulled away from the girl, beating her by two lengths. When she put on those jets everyone was screaming. Who was screaming the loudest, the one you could hear anywhere at the pool. Peggy Olszewski. And when Cee Cee came out of the pool, happy and victorious, the first arms around her were Peggy's.

Peggy wrapped a towel around her and took her into the locker room to change. Holly looked at me and she was wearing a sad face. "Why so glum, Hol? Celeste had an all-star performance today. She was the best swimmer out there."

"Hannah, I feel like I'm being replaced. Like I don't belong anymore. Duane took you away from me and now Herman and Peggy are taking my baby. I feel so alone. Nobody wants me anymore.'

"Holly Bernstein, you shut your mouth. Right now. How dare you get in the way of Celeste living her best life. Neither you nor I can give our children everything they need in life. They will need more, from others. Look at what Herman has done. He has poured his heart and soul into her. If he were her father, he couldn't love her more, or be prouder. Get your head out of your ass, Holly. Get with the program."

"As always, you're right Hannah. Dr. Como and I have been talking about my attachment issues and my underlying fear of losing everybody and everything in my life. Hannah, I already almost did."

"Back up, Holly. You never lost anything and I guarantee you never will. When we found out you were in trouble we came running. And now the guy that brought you that trouble can bring you no more. If something were to happen to me you would be one of the richest women in Chester County with one of the most powerful organizations and the very best advisors in the region behind you. Your daughter thinks the sun rises and sets on you and will love you till the day she dies, many, many years from now. My kids too. Like you were their own mother. You have at the very least, dozens of friends, and hundreds of acquaintances. You are beautiful, talented, kind and intelligent. Let's not get so dramatic, Hol. You'll be fine."

"Still issues to work out, Hannah. What I..."

"Nobody knows that better than me. But we will work on them together. Holly, I love you. I have never and will never stop. No matter what happens with me and Duane. Children or not."

"But you have his babies. I can never give you that. I can never even make love to you anymore. I just..."

"Hold up my love. I know about your issues. I've been in the middle of it the whole time. What I did to Peace Dunbar was not an act of vengeance, it was an act of love. My love for you. It was the depth of that love that drove me to extreme action. I'm sorry if exposing you to that has hurt your therapy."

"On the contrary, I think it has made it easier. I have not yet told either Dr. Como or Dr. Pasquale about that. Even I know that isn't a good idea."

"If it gets to the point where you need to confess, let me know and I will do everything in my power to make that process as comfortable for you as possible."

"Thanks, Hannah. Yes. Cee Cee going with Herman could be great. I trust Peggy with her and I think the three of them will have a great time. Can I tell her?"

"I think that would be more than appropriate. But don't tell her, Hol. Ask her."

"Right. Wise again."

We were all waiting at the entrance of the pool when Celeste and Peggy approached us from the locker room. No trophies this time, but Celeste had three little gold-ish medals hanging around her neck. We all cheered and clapped, and she threw her arms around her Mommy and gave her a big kiss, showing her the medals up close and putting a big smile on Holly's face. Peggy looked over at me and then at Holly. Holly gave her a wink and a nod, and Peggy pointed to Celeste. Holly told them to enjoy and she bent down on her knee and asked Celeste if she wanted to spend the night tonight and tomorrow in South Philly with Peggy and Herman.

"Really? Can I? Yes, yes, yes!" Please, mommy, can I go?"

When Holly said, "Of course, dear. Enjoy." It took a lot of strength, but the effect it had on Celeste assured Holly that she had chosen correctly. Celeste gave her a giant hug and kiss, then she ran over to Herman and Peggy and looked up. "Can I?"

"It was my idea." Herman said.

"It was?" And she put her arms around his legs and hugged him. He lifted her tiny frame into his massive arms and gave her a firm, but gentle hug.

Dinner was at our house, but it was just us. We dropped Harriet off at home on the way. But not before she told Celeste how very proud, she was of her and that today was her best swim ever. It was. Her fifty meter-breast stroke was a full two seconds off her best time. Something was happening, and Herman noticed it before any of us. He was sure she had what it takes to make it to the Olympics and has, more than once, vowed that if takes every ounce of his strength, she will get there and she will be victorious.

After dinner, Holly, Peggy, Celeste and Georgia went upstairs to pack up for her weekend. When they finished, she looked up at Herman, and said, "Let's go." And they did. Everybody got hugged and kissed, and off they went. As they drove down the driveway, Herman driving, Danny, our ex-cop, sitting shot gun and the girls in the back talking about today's races.

The couple brought Celeste home Sunday afternoon about an hour before dinner. She was smiling broadly the whole time she told us about her tour of South Philly, the Mummer's Museum, the Polish American String Band Clubhouse in Port Richmond, and how when she arrived two banjo players serenaded her. On the way back to Peggy's they stopped at the 9

th

Street Markets and picked up some wonderful Italian things for dinner. She marveled at all the sights and the smells, especially the Cheese shop; with all its smells and the samples they gave out. Nineth street is where Peggy bought Celeste a tee shirt that said, 'South Philly Girl.' When she got home, she was wearing it over her sweat shirt. All in all, it was a wonderful time. That's when Peggy gained full acceptance to the family. That's when we started the pool.

When will Herman pop the question? To all of us who know and love Herman, it was just a matter of time. So, Holly created a grid for the months from January to June. Nobody thought it would take any longer. Most didn't think it would take that long, and many picked days in January and February, with Valentine's Day being a favorite. But I had the inside track. I picked May 3

rd

. That was Peggy's birthday, and if I know my Herman, that's when he'll do it. I was sure.

Bertha was off today, so dinner was on me. I made it easy. "Who want's chicken and French fries from the Chicken Coop?" Well, the kids certainly do. So, I put in the order and served it with the remains of Les McKelly's coleslaw when Danny brought it in. All through dinner Celeste could not shut up about her weekend. And it was Aunt Peggy this, and Aunt Peggy that. I was starting to wonder if my pool pick was too far away. As Celeste talked about her, Herman looked at Peggy with love in his eyes. I'd never seen him look at a woman like that. Usually, he was guarding her and never looked at all. But he was looking at Peggy Olszewski. And she was looking back. He never had a chance. She already had him hooked. The Queen was happy. Happy that her best Knight had found his own queen.

Herman and Peggy helped with the kids. They read together and got them ready and tucked them in at bedtime. I told Duane and Herman that before the couple leave, I want a minute with my two leading men. Peggy went downstairs with Holly, and the boys and I went to the office. I sat down in my chair and looked at them as they sat in the chairs facing me.

"The floor is yours." Duane said to me.

"Boys, it's time. I want Makoo dead by the end of the week. I'm going to go see Becky this week and test the waters. If she's a go, we do this before the weekend. If not, I'm going to rethink and maybe do it anyway without her. We'll just have someone else do the dirty part."

"I don't know," Herman said, "She may be a bad ass biker chick, but I don't know if she has it in her. And the real hard part is breaking her out of the hospital without anyone knowing."

"Are we prepared to take her up there and if she can't do it, do it for her? Do you have my short redhead to replace her?"

"The squad sees that as the most likely scenario. The only one who thinks she'll do it is Caroline. And she's absolutely sure. So, we are going with that as Plan 'A' and someone else bringing it to conclusion as Plan 'B.'"

"I like it. I think I'll go down to Maryland on Tuesday and let's plan on meeting as a team on Wednesday, do a last run through, and doing the deed on Thursday. Doable?'

"Done." They both said.

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I called Becky Gaffney on Monday to discuss moving forward with Makoo, and told her I'd be down tomorrow. She said she is almost sorry it's that time as she is having so much fun on the feed watching him not get laid. I got a kick out of that.

Tuesday, when I got to Indian Springs with Duane, Ronnie and Caroline, Becky was waiting for us. Fortunately, although it was a bit cloudy, it was mild so we bundled up as much as we needed to, and took a walk around the property. I did not want to be anywhere where our conversations could be listened to or monitored in any way. Of course, Becky was wearing Quay's colors.

The first thing she asked was about Hanger, and I told her that the last time I talked to him was the last time she talked to him. But then I told her we have to get down to business. And we did.

We talked as we walked, and I outlined the risks and the downside of what we were embarking on. It did not put her off one bit. When I asked her if she still wanted to be the one to do the job, she said, "Absolutely." Like she never intended anything else. She just expected it. We didn't tell her, but we were ready if she backed out at the last minute. Caroline had practically begged me to be the backup to Becky. I immediately gave her the job with the hopes she doesn't need to do it.

"Car. I want you to go in with Becky when she does it. You'll be our live witness and try to get some good close shots of Mr. Makoo's end."

"I'm in. Should I latex up too?"

"It wouldn't hurt."

"Latex?"

"Becky," I said, "while you are flying from Maryland to the Poconos, we will be dressing you down to your skivvies, and dressing you up head to toe in latex. There's gonna be a lotta blood, girl. After the deed is done, Caroline is going to throw you in the shower and wash you both down. Then, while you are making your escape, the latex will come off, back into your pajamas and before you know it, you will be lying in your bed here at Indian Springs. There won't be a trace that you just bludgeoned someone to death. You gonna be okay with the blood?"

"I've made it through seven years of periods. Better the blood should be flowing out of him than me."

"Good point. But it's different, Beck."

"I only hope I'm on my period when we do this. Just make me angrier and more bitter."

"Don't make it about anger and don't make it about revenge. I just recently told someone I love that something I did on her behalf was not an act of vengeance, but an act of love. My love for Holly."

"You killed somebody?"

I put my finger to my lips and said, "Shhh." She giggled. We discussed the elements of the plan, especially those regarding abducting her from Indian Springs Country Estate. We went over it and over it again. She would not have a very active role, but she would have to be aware of each step coming in order to expedite the mission. By the time we were done, I thought she really had it. We'll see on Thursday night.