GH2026.01 Tidings Of Comfort and Joy

 

The Carson Institute. Striding through the huge steel doors, Dominique breathes in the unique combined aroma of fresh coffee and Bunsen burners.

"Man, this place gives me the creeps." Ian mutters looking around the huge laboratory.

"Don't be such a stick in the mud, Ian." Dom coaxes. "I just have to check on some projects and some mail, and then leave. No lectures scheduled for today or anything."

Observing her closely, Ian notices a spring in her step that hadn't been there for the past several days. This place, this spooky futuristic think-tank seems to really agree with her.

Walking past sculptures and exhibits, Dominique surveys the familiar carnage of creativity unleashed. Ian's reaction about it being weird isn't all that uncommon. On her first visit, her sister Destiny had declared it just plain freaky and hadn't set foot in it more than twice.

"Hey Dom!"

"Hey Dominique! Long time no see!" Several friendly, yet distracted voices call out warm greetings.

"The last room on the end is mine." Dom leads Ian into a large workroom.

"You have your own room here?" Ian breathes, impressed by the gadgets and gizmos neatly organized along the walls. There are rows and rows of computers, some with the shells on, others without, in different stages of disassemble. "Cool."

"I helped the institute write up a grant proposal, in return they offered me my own office. I usually spend a few hours a week in here, but lately. . . ." She sinks into a chair in front of a small laptop. "I need to check my interoffice mail and then we're out of here."

"No hurry." Ian calls from across the room where he has his head buried in her toolbox. "Hey! Can I borrow these?" He holds up a couple compact torches.

"Sorry, institute property. Has to stay here or be signed out by the supervisor on duty or God, whichever is more available." Dom replies. "But if you wanna use them, next time we come you can." She offers.

"These things cost an arm and a leg." Ian smiles. "Gosh! You smart folk get all the cool toys!"

"DAMN!" Dominique shouts, slamming her hand on the table angrily. "Damn it!"

"What? What is it?" Ian sprints to her side, already knowing in his heart the answer.

Dom tilts the screen so he can see. On the screen is what appears to be an animated greeting card. It opens to a picture of a fruitcake. The message reads: "Bringing You Tidings Of Comfort And Joy. Your Little Cyber Friend."

"Now I'm getting fruitcakes from a fruitcake!" Dom huffs. "When will this person EVER get a life and leave me alone!"

Ian picks up the phone and dials the police. "I gotta report this to my dad." He explains. "Not that they've come up with anymore than we have."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~

Night at the Spencer household. The lights are dim and Lucky is locking up the house, while Emily efficiently stuffs crayons back into a small carrying case. Giving the living room a final once over, Lucky silently extends his hand to his wife and they walk arm in arm up the staircase
and to the end of the hall.

Emily leans against the doorjamb with Lucky's weight pressing firmly against her, and smiles in contentment. Curled up asleep in her small bed is their daughter Leia, looking innocent and content. Lucky breaks free from Emily and pads softly across the plush carpeting to pull the covers up higher under his daughter's chin. He drops a light kiss on her brow and sweeps back her hair. The tenderness in the gesture practically moves Emily to tears.

Returning to his wife's side, Lucky looks at her with concern. "Em? Honey? Anything the matter?" He whispers in hushed tones as they slip out of Leia's room and into their bedroom.

"Nothing." Seeing his worried expression, Emily smiles radiantly. "Really, I was just thinking about how blessed I am to have you."

"Are you sure that's it?" Eying his wife curiously, Lucky cocks his head to one side. "Nothing's the matter?"

Walking across the room, Emily slips in a CD on their stereo and slips out of her shoes. Smiling seductively, she offers Lucky her hand. "Dance with me?" She asks huskily.

"Anytime, anywhere." Lucky vows, pulling her tight into his arms and inhaling the sweet scent that is uniquely his wife. Flowers, raindrops and something undefinable, but so familiar, it triggers a sweet ache in his heart.

~*~*~*~
I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky
And I swear like the shadow that's by your side

I see the questions in your eyes
I know what's weighing on your mind
You can be sure I know my heart

`Coz I'll stand beside you through the years
You'll only cry those happy tears
And though I make mistakes
I'll never break your heart
~*~*~*~*

Emily rests her head against his chest and sighs in bliss. His heart beats steady and strong against her ear, reassuring her like the sound of waves crashing throughout time, of his constancy, and unwavering loyalty.

*~*~*~*~*
And I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky
I'll be there
I swear like a shadow that's by your side
I'll be there

For better or worse, till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart
And I swear

I'll give you every thing I can
I'll build your dreams with these two hands
We'll hang some memories on the walls
*~*~*~*~

Lucky removes the combs from Emily's hair and lets her mane fall, sinking his hands into it's warm depth, his lips sear hers passionately. And again he experiences the comforting solace and heady thrill of her kiss. "God, how I need you, Em."

*~*~*~*
And when just the two of us are there
You won't have to ask if I still care
`Coz as the time turns the page, my love won't age at all

And I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky
I swear (and I swear) like the shadow that's by your side
I'll be there

For better or worse, till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart
And I swear
*~*~*~*~*~

Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, Emily tugs him over to their bed, where after quickly divesting themselves of their clothing, they sink blissfully into the mounds of pillows. "I love you, Lucky." Emily purrs in his ear.

"I love you too, Babe." Lucky growls gruffly. "Never loved anyone like you, Em. Never."

*~*~*~*~*~*
I swear (I swear) by the moon and stars in the sky
I'll be there
I swear like the shadow that's by your side
I'll be there

For better or worse, till death do us part
I'll love you with every (single) beat of my heart
I swear, I swear, oh... I... swear...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~