Chapter 4.36

After a weekend of not being at work, Logan went in early to catch up on the truck and alarm that had fallen behind on the maintenance. When he walked into the building, the first thing he was greeted with was an apparently broken sink. It was spraying water everywhere and looked like it had been doing so for a long time. A growl of frustration escaped his lips before he wiped out his wrench and started to work on it. Logan had become quite handy since he had started working in the Fire department, since mechanics were a high priority. Though there would always be something else to learn, he had already figured out or studied everything he would need to know on that subject. With the sink finally repaired, he set to mopping up the mess of water on the floor, it would be too hazardous to leave there, not to mention rude.

Working on the alarm and engine came after cleaning the kitchen up. Logan enjoyed the quiet around him but after a while he realized that no one else was there, not even up in the beds. He was the only one that had come in to work that day at all. That made him wonder a little bit, but he wasn't in a position to say anything about it so he didn't.

David had spent another boring day at school, spending every minute antsy to get home. When he did, he was greeted by Emma, she had not gotten her daily brush from Logan that day so she turned to her little master. Both Logan and David had won her heart completely, she considered both of them her best friends. David gave her what she wanted, combing out all the small tangles in her long hair. She couldn't resist licking his cheek every chance she got to show her appreciation. When David finished and he put the brush away, Emma ran to get her rope so they could play tug-o-war.

Brian and Adelaide both spent the day doing whatever came up. Brian cleaned up the house, and did some laundry. When everything was done to his satisfaction he sat at the computer to see if there were any jobs available for him to do. There wasn't, this was going to be another day he would be left with no mystery to solve. Brian had decided not to retire since he had done a little research into what his pension would be. It wasn't a great number so he figured he would just keep going with the weekly stipend he was currently getting and solve cases as they came along.

Adelaide had gotten up and set to weeding and tending her growing garden. Many of the seeds that she had planted a while back had sprouted into garlic plants. She had quite a large garden going now, and it took up most of her mornings. After her shower and breakfast she sat down to relax and watch the television for a bit while Brian was on the computer.

Come the evening after his shift, Logan was invited to and attended a party that Lauren was hosting. He was more than happy to go and drove there right after he changed into his swimming gear. When he arrived he looked around, there were many people, and everyone from his work was there. He looked for Lauren, and found her in the kitchen. 'Wow.' He thought.'I didn't realize she was so... hot... the work uniform really covers a lot.'

"Hey Lauren, nice party. Looks like you got a great turnout." He tried hard to not look at her curvy body and seemingly soft breasts. He may be interested in someone else, but he was still a guy after all. "Do you think anyone will actually swim?"

"Probably not, it's dark and cold, but I wanted to give them the option. I'm glad you came." Lauren said. She resisted her own urges of running her hand over his obviously smooth chest and abs. She sighed. "Hey, that is my brother Douglas. Why don't you two go mingle while I make some hot dogs?"

Logan nodded, "Sure, yeah go ahead." He couldn't help but glance at her backside as she turned away from him - 'Nice.' Slightly dazed, he turned to the guy she had gestured toward. His gaze was met with a hard glare from an older, and well built man. He felt a brief moment of fear when he looked at this gentleman, thinking he was about to get a verbal lashing in front of all these people for checking out his sister, or maybe more than verbal.

"You must be Logan. I've heard about you, a lot actually." Douglas said. His voice was very stern, Logan noted, but it didn't seem intentional. Lauren dropped the knife she was using, with a quick glance to the two men, she picked it up and went back to work.

"I'm sure not all of it's true, only the good stuff." Logan smiled, trying to lighten this tense moment. He failed.

Douglas wasn't humored. He looked at Lauren's back then returned his gaze to Logan. "I'm Douglas. Enjoying the party?"

"Of course." Logan lied. Actually, at this point he found himself very uncomfortable and wanting to leave. He was mentally chastising himself for looking at his best friend in the manner that he had. Also he was thinking that her brother had witnessed it, and now figured something was up between the two of them. The last thing he needed was an over protective family member breathing down his neck. "I was just about to go though. I've gotta feed my dog." 'Did I really just give that crappy excuse?' Logan thought.

The corner of Douglas's mouth twitch before he said, "That's funny. Okay. Thanks for coming, I'm sure Lauren appreciates it. Be sure to tell her you're leaving."

Logan nodded slowly, then approached Lauren. "I've got to get home now, thanks for inviting me sorry I can't stay."

She gave him a friendly hug, wishing it was more. Logan returned it but tried not to touch her bare skin, which was impossible. She was as soft as she looked and she smelled very sweet.

When he got in the truck, Logan let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding and drove home. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous about her brother, aside from the fact that the man looked like he could break Logan, but he was. He arrived at home to find the house empty. David was at a friends house and their parents had found better things to do.

To help get his mind steady again, Logan called Velina. Hearing her voice settled him instantly and he thought of nothing but her, his feelings of guilt were erased. There was no way he'd ever act on fleeting thoughts, he'd never betray Velina like that.

About the same time Logan had arrived at the party, Brian and Adelaide went to attend a new movie playing at the town theater. The two of them had been very bored at the house, especially after David had called to ask if he could go to his friend Laquita's house after school. Brian and Adelaide had not been out on a date in quite a while, and though this really didn't feel like one it was nice for them to spend time alone with one another. After the movie they went to the diner to have dinner before picking up David from Laquita's house, and going home.

The next day passed quickly, everyone busy doing their own things. Logan had his work to keep him occupied and David had school. Again, David went to his friend's house after classes to spend the evening. After work, Logan decided to call Velina and ask her to a movie.

"I'd love to. Give me 20 minutes to gussy up and I'll meet you there, is that okay?" Was Velina's response.

"Wonderful, see you there."

Twenty minutes was perfect, that gave Logan enough time to stop by the store and pick up some flowers for her. Velina was facing the movie theater when he pulled up and got out of the truck. He stepped in front of her "Have you been waiting long? I'm sorry."

She shook her head, "No, I just got here."

Logan smiled and pulled out the flowers to give to her. She seemed genuinely surprised and delighted by them. "They smell wonderful, and so pretty. Thank you." She wore a huge smile, just for him.

The two of them watched the movie they had come to see, an action flick. During the film Logan and Velina held hands and shared a bucket of popcorn. There hands were still clasped together when they left the building.

"Wanna go to the park? We'll swing a little bit. I bet you haven't done that in a while, felt the breeze on your cheeks, let your hair blow out behind you?" Logan offered.

Velina giggled, "No, it has been a long time. That sounds great, let's go."

They only used the swings for a few minutes, but it was long enough to find the youthful feeling they remembered. Logan looked at Velina when they stopped. She was so beautiful to him, a perfect vision. The scene filling his eyes was enhanced by the butterflies flitting around her, they topped it off nicely. It was at that moment he realized he was in deep with that woman, very deep, and sinking further every minute.

Velina stood up then. "I have to get home, I'm getting tired and I have work in the morning."

"Ah, I didn't mean to keep you so late, my apologies." Logan said, "One minute." He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. He spoke briefly and quietly, then hung up and pulled Velina into a hug. He nearly told her that he loved her right then, but refrained. Logan figured he would show her before he spoke the words. It was that moment they shared their first kiss. Her lips were so soft and warm against his and felt so right that he never wanted it to end, but it did.

Logan held Velina close and looked in her eyes. Velina trembled slightly beneath his embrace as she stared back at him. Normally she was a woman full of words to say, she had to be in her line of work, but at this time there was nothing, no words to fill the blissful silence.

"I had a wonderful time Logan, thank you for calling me. I really look forward to our next date." She finally said.

Logan smiled and kissed her lightly again, "I called you a car, they just pulled up. Have a great night, and I'll see you again soon." He told her. He walked her to the car and stood back to watch it pull away. The elated feeling that the evening given him lasted all night. It even filled his head with wonderful dreams while he slept. The next morning however, was not so pleasant.

During Logan's morning routine, something went awry. As he flushed the toilet, it exploded in his face. Logan knew right away that this was no ordinary plumbing problem. His bathroom had been rigged. He also had a pretty good idea who had laid the trap, though he didn't plan to do anything about it. Logan mumbled under his breath and felt a bit thankful that he hadn't showered yet. He got in right away.

David was downstairs in the dining room, innocently playing with his alien doll. He had set that trap for his brother earlier in the morning, when Logan was still snoring. He had to use Logan's bathroom when he woke because Adelaide was in the one they shared together.

Logan came down and had breakfast, when he was on his way back up the stairs, he ran into Brian.

"Heya dad. How's the morning going?" He inquired.

"Great, how about yours?"

"Good good. Actually I have a question for you. If you were going to take a girl overseas, where would you take her?" Logan asked.
Brian smiled at his son. "That depends. If you want beauty and serenity, I'd vote Shang Simla. Maybe you're looking for romance. I'd say Champs Les Sims for that. If you want adventure and treasure I'd go to Al Simhara in Egypt though. So, you have to ask what you're looking to do with this girl first. When you find that out, you'll know where to go."

"Ah... okay." Logan said thoughtfully.

Brian put his hand on Logan's shoulder and said, "Let me know what you decide, I'll get your tickets." Then he walked into the kitchen, leaving no room for Logan to argue.

Logan stood there another minute contemplating what his dad had told him. 'Do they really break down in that manner?' He wondered. 'Is this possible trip going to set the terms of our relationship? Hell, I don't even know if she'll go with me.'

After his own breakfast was done, David stood in the dining room and talked to himself. There happened to be no one better to talk to at that time. He was pretty heavy into the conversation when Emma came in behind him and barked a few times. Brought back to reality, David figured he'd call his friend Laquita, it was Saturday and he was pretty sure she wasn't busy. Unfortunately he was wrong, and she didn't answer the call. David shrugged and went upstairs to play.

Brian had gone up to shower after eating, and then out to check the mail. They always had a gift of some kind waiting in the mail box for them. Today it was a gift certificate for Logan to honor his work in the Fire Department. When Brian stepped into the foyer he pulled out his cellphone.

He called the local pool and booked a reservation for just a few hours from then to have a Birthday party for David. David had just come down the stairs when he overheard his dad say 'No, just one cake, thank you.' Then he hung up.

"Who was that daddy?" David asked.

"Oh no one, just the pool owner. I was calling to ask if we could host a party there." He smiled at his boy, who had a huge grin on his own face.

"Awesome! Woohoo! A pool party!" He shouted, throwing his hands in the air.

Brian laughed and accepted a hug from David. He was glad to see his son so happy about it. When David walked away Brian stood and thought about the party. His boy was growing up, the youngest son was reaching his teens now. Time had flown by so quickly.




To be continued...