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| There Are Ways; Part Three: After Larkhall | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 11 2010, 06:48 AM (5,625 Views) | |
| mlbach | Sep 16 2010, 02:01 PM Post #16 |
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Keys for the handcuffs!
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As always, thanks for any comments. This is coming on better than I'd hoped. Chapter 7 Thomas showed up for brunch on Sunday promptly at ten. He looked at them both expectantly, but neither one answered the question in his eyes. Instead they ushered him into the dining area and directed him to the place setting at the end of the table which had a mounded plate covered with a white linen cloth. After he was seated, Nikki removed the cloth with a flourish, “Ta da!” Heaped on the plate were half a dozen peanut butter and raspberry jam sandwiches, each neatly cut in two. He looked at Helen, an incredulous smile on his face. “It worked?” “Oh, yes. Dad,“ smirked Helen. He grabbed a sandwich half and took a large bite, closing his eyes in pleasure. “God, I’ve missed these.” “Well, you can stuff your inner child as much as you want, now, “ said Helen, amused. Nikki set a glass of milk down next to his plate. “And you can wash those down with this.” “Milk fresh from Jersey cows. Raw, of course,” said Helen, At his change in expression, she teased, “Call yourself a doctor? I have it on very good authority that raw milk is much more nutritious. Nikki’s had me guzzling it for months.” “I’ve just started guzzling it, myself,” said Nikki. The two of them looked at him intently, and he slowed his chewing, glancing from one to the other. Finally Nikki grinned at him and said, “We’re going to have to double your stud fee, mate.” Thomas stopped chewing altogether and stared at them, wide-eyed. Finally he swallowed and said, “How…?” Helen purred, “Oh, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” ”Don’t be mean, Helen,” said Nikki. She nodded her head in Helen’s direction and said to Thomas, “She had a hand in it.” “Nikki!” scolded Helen, her face flushing. Nikki twitched her eyebrows at Thomas who nodded slightly in understanding. “Well, this is …unexpected. How do the two of you feel about it?” “Well, at first we were both gob-smacked, of course. But now we’re really pleased.” Nikki’s smile was radiant. “And that’s not even the hormones talking.” Helen put a hand on Thomas’s shoulder, “How do you feel about it? I know this is way more than you planned on…” He looked at her and then at Nikki. “I’m happy if you’re happy. Really. It’s brilliant.” He smiled at them, then glanced down and picked up the unfinished half of sandwich. Nikki said, “Helen, darling, mind putting the kettle on?” “What? All right,” she said, slightly puzzled. She went into the kitchen. Thomas looked up and watched her go. He became aware that Nikki was gazing at him steadily. His eyes flickered, “I’m being a prat, aren’t I?” Nikki shook her head. “Most people wouldn’t even notice. You forget, I’ve been where you are.” She reached forward and rubbed his shoulder briefly. “You’ll be all right, Bingley. You just need to find your Jane.” He set down the partly eaten portion and sat up. “I thought I had. Twice.” He said the words without a trace of self-pity. In answer to Nikki’s questioning eyebrow, he said, “My wife left me for another man.” “How long before you met Helen was that?” “Three years.” Nikki nodded. Thomas mused, “Maybe true love doesn’t come to most people, and the rest of us should just content ourselves with viewing it second-hand.” “Don’t give up just because it hasn’t happened yet.” She looked at him appraisingly. “You’re really quite good-looking, you know.” Thomas raised an ironic eyebrow. Nikki’s mouth quirked, “Didn’t say that.” “Didn’t need to.” They shared a smile. “Anyway, speaking for both Helen and myself, we'd like you to keep coming for brunch every fortnight. You’re one of the family, now.” After Thomas was gone, Helen said, “I thought that went rather well,” and leaned against Nikki’s chest, hugging Nikki’s arms to herself. Nikki kissed the back of her head and nuzzled her. “He still fancies you, you know.” “Does he? Ah, I was afraid of that. Poor Thomas.” “He’s still a part of your life. That’s more than I would have hoped for.” Helen looked at her searchingly. Nikki shrugged, “Just projecting. He feels like a brother, now. Brother-in-arms,” she amended, and gave Helen a quick hug. That evening as they were reading together, Nikki had a sudden thought and looked up from her book. “Helen…” “Hmmm?” She looked at Nikki. “Have you seen Claire Walker lately?” “We’re getting together for lunch next week, actually. Why d'you ask?” “I was just thinking about her and wondering how she was doing.” “Mmm…” Helen fixed her gaze on Nikki and waited for her to continue. “Is she seeing anyone?” “Noo, I don’t believe so…What’re you on about then?” “Think she’d fancy coming to brunch some Sunday?” Helen lifted an eyebrow. “Would this be on the same Sunday that Thomas will be coming?” “Yeah. What d'you think?” Helen considered for a moment, then smiled fondly at Nikki. “I think it's kind and thoughtful.” She smirked slightly, “And bloody brilliant.” Nikki allowed herself a small, self-satisfied smile and went back to reading her book. |
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| mlbach | Sep 16 2010, 05:29 PM Post #17 |
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Keys for the handcuffs!
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This is the final chapter to my first and last N/H fan fic. Thanks to all who read it and a special thanks to those who were moved to comment. Chapter 8 “What does Monica have to say then, Ju?” “Hang on.” Julie S. fetched her reading glasses, perched them on her nose, and stared at the letter intently. Between Monica’s elegant cursive script and her posh way of expressing herself, reading one of her letters often turned into an exercise in translation, so the Julies usually waited until evening lock-up before reading them. Monica’s letters did have the advantage of not being read by the screws that opened the mail, so she was a preferred source of news from the outside. “OK. She says, ‘Dear Julie J. and Julie S., Hope this letter finds you well. Barbara’s and my half-way houses are both bursting at the seams, but there will always be two beds available, should the need arise...’ Ah, Ju, I think she’s saying there’ll always be room for us. That’s nice, innit?” “Yeah, nice.” “And then she says, ‘...I have news concerning a young couple of your acquaintance. You may remember that they were recently married in a ceremony officiated by the Reverend Henry Mills...’ Eh—she must mean Nikki and Miss Stewart!” She continued, “‘...They are pleased to announce the births of a daughter and a son…’ Bleedin’ ‘ell! Nikki and Miss Stewart each had kiddies!” “Nikki? No way! She’d never let a man touch her.” “Well, Ju, as I told you when you was tryin’ for a kid: there's ways, and there's means.” “What? You think she used a yogurt cup and a turkey baster?” “You never know.” She thought for a moment, then shook her head slightly, “Nah. Pro’bly best not to ask.” “Be fun to find out, though, innit? Go on, does she say what they named ‘em?” “Let’s see…’births of a daughter...Maureen Nicola Stewart-Wade…’” She paused, considering. Julie J. said, “Oh...! Maybe Maureen was Miss Stewart’s mum’s name.” “Good one, Ju.” She perused the letter again, “‘…and a son...Yves Thomas Wade-Stewart.” “Eve!" wailed Julie J. " Why’d Nikki go givin’ her kid a girl’s name?” “Not E-V-E, Ju, Y-V-E-S. It’s French. Like that actor fella.” “Well, then, why’d she go namin' him after some Frenchie?” Julie S. pondered for a moment. “Hang on, Ju. I don’t think she did name him after no Frenchie. I bet she named him after—“ They looked at each other sadly and said together, “—Yvonne.” “Ah, Ju.” “Ah, Ju.” Julie J. started crying, dabbing her eyes with the tissues Julie S. handed her. Eventually she said, sniffling slightly, “What else does she say?” “Um, let’s see…’Both mothers and father Thomas Waugh—‘ ooh, that dreamy doctor! Remember him? ‘” “Oh, yeah. Dreamy.” “—are doing well, as are little Maureen and Yves. In other news, Thomas and his partner, Claire Walker, who, you may remember, was N.W.’s solicitor during her appeal, have announced their engagement and are planning a wedding in September of next year…’” They looked at each other in some confusion. Finally they shrugged and Julie S. continued, “’I will send further details as I learn them. Nikki and Helen send their love, as do Barbara and Henry. Will write again soon. Love, Monica.’” Julie S. took off her glasses. “Ah, that’s sweet, innit?” “Yeah, sweet.” They each became lost in their own thoughts. “Our Nikki and our Miss Stewart, both mums! I can’t hardly believe it.” “And to think we saw it all from the very beginning.” “We did. Remember when Nikki mouthed off after Carol had her miscarriage, and Miss Stewart had Nikki thrown down the block?” Julie S. smiled and shook her head. “That Nikki—she didn’t half have a mouth on her!” “Oh, she did!” They laughed. “And Miss Stewart was that mad.” "Oh, if looks could kill, Nikki would have been dead on the floor!" “Dead on the floor! But Miss Stewart—she had a mouth on her, too!” They laughed again. “Oi! Julies!” a voice called out. “What’re you on about?” “Yeah,” called another voice, “What’s so bleedin’ funny?” The Julies looked at each other and moved closer to the outside window. “Wait’ll you hear!” called Julie S. “Yeah,” called Julie J., “Wait’ll you hear. You ain’t never gonna—“ they finished together, “—believe it!” Fin. |
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| ali baba | Sep 16 2010, 10:30 PM Post #18 |
G2 landing
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Thanks for sharing this story. It certainly was different, with quite a few surprises. Nicely rounded off at the end. I am not sure why you said it was your first and LAST N and H fanfic, but I hope you will change your mind. Enjoyed the read and the quick updates. |
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| mlbach | Sep 16 2010, 11:35 PM Post #19 |
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Keys for the handcuffs!
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Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The reason I say "and last," is because I feel that Nikki and Helen are now safe for me to leave in their world, to live out the rest of their lives in domestic--if not bliss, then relative tranquility. The N and H story is, in my mind, The Greatest Love Story In The History Of The World. Since the basis of all good fiction is conflict and tension, I don't want to go there, because I don't want to create that for them. Silly, perhaps, but I feel they already paid their dues--they deserve their happiness. They've earned it. Thanks again. |
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| Jane22 | Sep 17 2010, 05:01 PM Post #20 |
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G2 landing
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That was a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us! |
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| mlbach | Sep 17 2010, 07:12 PM Post #21 |
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Keys for the handcuffs!
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Thank you! It was my pleasure. |
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| taylaj | Sep 19 2010, 09:43 AM Post #22 |
Up to Basic
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Wow! awesome story. Bloody brilliant. It is so different than most of the N/H stories. No jealousies, betrayal, assaults. I love it. Hope you'll write more stories. Thanks for sharing.
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| mlbach | Sep 19 2010, 04:02 PM Post #23 |
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Keys for the handcuffs!
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Thanks (insert smilie of slightly embarrassed ear-to-ear grin). That means a lot. |
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| ali baba | Sep 19 2010, 06:50 PM Post #24 |
G2 landing
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mlbach are you sure you wouldn't like to write more Nikki and Helen stories in a totally different setting? I'm sure it would be well worth reading. Here's hoping.
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| mlbach | Sep 19 2010, 07:47 PM Post #25 |
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Keys for the handcuffs!
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But if it were in a totally different setting, ali baba, would it truly be a N and H story? With all due respect for much of the N/H fan fic out there (I haven't had a chance to read most of it, but much of what I've read I've enjoyed), once you change the setting/story, you aren't dealing with the same characters anymore, you are dealing with characters that are merely somewhat similar. I have no problem in writing more stories with characters that have Nikki and/or Helen characteristics (in fact, I am working on a project that I hope will be just that), but it will be in an entirely different world, and they will not be the same characters as Nikki and Helen (although hopefully as interesting in their own right). But thank you for the compliment of saying you would like me to write more stories!!! |
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| zena | Oct 3 2010, 11:38 PM Post #26 |
I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
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Found it, Loved it, Please continue to write, You are most entertaining. Thank you. |
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| mlbach | Oct 4 2010, 03:16 AM Post #27 |
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Keys for the handcuffs!
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Thank you. It's very gratifying when someone else likes something that I am pleased to have written--helps with aiming for the bulls-eye. 'Course, any feedback at all is helpful (though not always as much fun). Thanks again. |
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| Jane | Oct 4 2010, 08:32 PM Post #28 |
mad about helen
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well that was certainly different and u definitely took us outside our comfort zones. well done ! hope there will be another story soon, but I don't think I can cope with Helen sleeping with Dr Tom again!! |
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| ali baba | Oct 5 2010, 07:15 AM Post #29 |
G2 landing
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I feel that the characters of Helen and Nikki are so strong that whichever environment you put them in, their characteristics would remain the same. Hope to see more writing from you.
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| mlbach | Oct 5 2010, 05:25 PM Post #30 |
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Keys for the handcuffs!
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That's probably true. I just prefer that Nikki and Helen stay within the BG universe and within the confines of the BG canon. That's not to say anything against any other fan fiction, it's just my personal preference, especially when I'm writing about them. But thank you again for complimenting my writing! |
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8:47 AM Jul 11