She would know today what kind of marriage Kane and Helen actually had. She would know today just how much she could believe and trust him. If he had told her the truth the other night, then she would do every thing she could to help Kane in his fight for his rights.Her flight was scheduled to leave at 3:00 this afternoon. The show wasn't until tomorrow, so if she didn't leave till then, that would be ok, too. But she wanted to leave today, depending on what the report had to say.
Judy poured her third cup of coffee going to stand by the sliding doors, to look out. She loved it here in the mountains. This cabin had always been her escape! It had always been a source of comfort to her, but not this time! Glancing at the clock, she saw it was well after 10:30. If her attorney hadn't called by 11:00, she would call him again.
Heading toward the bedroom, Judy decided to go ahead and pack for this part of the tour. It would be almost three weeks before she could come home again, so extra clothes would have to be packed. All of her ring rags had been washed and were laying out, ready to be packed,as were four pair of jeans,and the same number of sweaters and blouses. She had one NICE silk outfit, that she bought herself for Christmas, that she was taking as well.
As she finished packing, the phone rang. Picking up the receiver, she was glad to hear Jack's voice on the other end. He had sent the information she asked for, by special messenger, about 15 minutes ago. "He should be there any time now. This woman is a real piece of work. You be careful around her." Jack warned her.
"Thanks Jack.You can't know how much this means to me!" She said, lighter of heart as she hung up the phone.
Twenty minutes later, the messenger knocked at the door. After signing for the thick packet,and giving the man a tip, she carried it back inside to read it. Thirty minutes later, she carried the packet into the bedroom and packed it in with her ring rags. Glancing at the clock, she knew she would have to hurry if she intended to catch her flight. Taking a quick shower, Judy stood in front of the mirror combing her hair, then blow drying it. With it mostly dry, she pulled it back in a ponytail. As naturally curly as her hair was, when it dried completely, it would be a mass of soft ringlets. Within minutes, she ready to leave. Dressed in a very pretty, very feminine sweat suit, in a dark blue, she had a mock turtleneck on under the pullover top. Scrunch socks and Keds completed her outfit.
Putting on her Bomber jacket, she picked up her purse and gathered up her bags, carrying them out to her truck. Having second thoughts about leaving the packet in her bags, she removed it and stuck the packet into her over-sized purse. After cranking the truck to let it warm up, she went back inside to make sure every thing was turned off, and to hang the damp towels and wash cloth up to dry, then locked up the cabin as she got ready to leave.
Within an hour, she had arrived at the airport ad had parked in the long term parking area. After checking her luggage, Judy still had about an hour to wait, so she bought herself a cup of hot chocolate, a paperback, and a couple of magazines, then found herself a place to sit down. She never saw Kane sitting across from her. He watched as she settled herself, to wait for their flight. He almost talked himself into taking a later flight, but something about her demeanor,stopped him. She almost looked happy! He was going to find out what had happened. The flight was a little over half full, so Kane could have taken another seat but chose not to. He WANTED to sit with her!
"Hi. You mind if I sit here?" Kane asked softly. His eyes roaming over her features, noticing her heightened color. The Dark blue she was wearing suited her.
"No, please, sit down!" Judy smiled slightly, when she saw him standing in the aisle.
Kane didn't hesitate to take the seat before she changed her mind. He looked good! Dressed all in black, from the tight black jeans to the suede jacket. He still made her heart beat a little faster, even when she was pissed at him!
"How've you been?" She asked, not quite meeting his eyes.
"I've missed you like a son of a bitch!" Kane said, his voice thick with emotion.
The index finger of his right hand caressed the knuckles of her left hand. Her sharp indrawn breath told him that she was as affected as he was. Her flushed cheeks, slightly parted lips, and downcast eyes, sent a shockwave of desire racing through his huge body.
Kane looked around at the other passengers. No one was paying any attention to them. Leaning over, Kane kissed her thoroughly, then calmly leaned back in his seat. Desire blazed in the hazel eyes staring into her startled blue ones.
"I miss you, Judy!" His voice thick with lust and love for this woman beside him.
She had been caught off guard by Kane's movement. Her mouth had been partly open and he had taken full advantage of it. She was consumed with need...with hunger for his big body. She wanted to wake up in the morning with him next to her. She wanted to go to bed with him at her side. After tonight, after their talk, maybe they could start all over. She prayed so!
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They shared a cab to the hotel. Kane was disappointed when she requested a separate room, but under the circumstances couldn't very well complain. After all, he was to blame for her leaving.
Judy waited as Kane checked in, hiding a grin behind her hand when his room was on a different floor from hers. She wanted to surprise him with the report that Jack had delivered to her just that morning. She was unable to suppress the amused laughter when he grumbled about their room locations as they made their way to the elevators. Try as she may, she could not stop the laughter from bubbling up from within her. "Now, Kane! Don't act like an old wounded bear!" She teased him.
He looked at her with narrowed eyes, wondering at this mood change in her. Without a word, he walked on ahead of her, irritated without knowing why. This only served to increase her good humor! Kane stopped in front of the elevators, waiting for her. Frowning in her direction, he asked if she were coming or planning on spending the night in the lobby. For some reason, this really set her off into fits of giggles. By the time she staggered over to where he stood, she was literally gasping for breath.
"And just what do you find so damn funny?" He asked, finding it hard NOT to smile.
"Kane, will you have dinner with me?" Her blue eyes twinkled merrily at him, while a small smile tugged at the corners of her soft mouth. He was completely captivated by her charms. He stared at her, mesmerized by her beauty. "Kane?" She cocked her head sideways, looking up at him.
He blinked and shook his head. "Sorry, what did you say?" He asked softly.
She smiled tenderly up at him, her eyes all soft and warm. "Will you have dinner with me?" She repeated gently.
"I'd love to." He said as they stepped in the elevator.
"Good! I'll meet you in the lobby in one hour!" She said, lifting an eyebrow in his direction, as she stood beside the door, away from all the corners, remembering all too clearly other times in other elevators.
Reading her thoughts correctly, Kane's hot gaze met hers. "What are you afraid of Judy!" He asked softly.
Lucky for her, his room was on the second floor. Hers on the third. "This is your floor, I'll see you in an hour! Oh, Kane, we have something to talk about!" She said softly, a pleased look on her face.
Kane wasn't sure what to think. Confused, he reluctantly left the elevator. He turned to see her secretive smile, just as the doors closed. This further confused him.
Judy was a few minutes late meeting him. Standing up as he watched he approach, Kane decided the wait was worth it. She looked lovely. Her hair was pulled back from her face, but hanging down her back in thick fat curls. The deep green silk tunic and matching pants skimmed over her body, the color suited her perfectly. Her eyes fairly sparkled with excitement.
"Sorry I'm late! Have you been waiting long?" She asked, embarrassed about being late.
"The wait was worth it!" He said, his eyes warmly running over her.
Smiling with pleasure, she took his hand and said "Come on, I'm starving!" And they went in search of a restaurant.
They chatted companionably all through dinner. She entertained him with stories of the children's reactions to the toys she delivered on Christmas morning. Their mother had told her what they wanted. He was laughing as much as she was. But finally, dinner was over, and when the check came, she insisted on paying it. "Nope, this is my treat! I invited you!" She said, determined to have her way.
"As the lady wishes!" He said wickedly.
Judy laughed in genuine amusement. As they left the restaurant, Judy asked Kane to come to her room. "I have something that might interest you!" The secretive smile once again in place.
Completely misunderstanding her motives, Kane grinned wickedly, desire darkening his eyes and gave a sensual curl to his firm mouth. "As the lady wishes!"
"Kane, you misunderstand me. It's not for sex that I ask you to come to my room. But rather proof to use against Helen in court!" She said quietly, her mood suddenly cool, reserved, where before it had been warm and yielding.
His disappointment was obvious, yet his excitement remained. "How did you get this proof? Where did you get it?" He was all but running for the elevator! He was anxious to see what she had. He had a hold of her arm and all but drug her to the elevator.
Once they got to her room, Judy took the packet from her purse. Kane was surprised by the thickness of it. Pulling out the file, Kane saw there were photographs as well as paper documentation. He sat there reading as Judy turned back the bedding and took Kane's favorite nightgown out of her bag. Going into the bathroom, she ran a tub of water, poured in some of his favorite bath oil and soaked while he read the file. After the water cooled, she drained the tub, and dried off, putting on the gown. Going into the other room, Judy noticed Kane was just sitting there, obviously deep in thought. Taking her brush from her purse, Judy sat down on the bed to brush her hair. Kane knew Judy believed him, from the trouble she had gone to, to help him. He was What she had given him, was more than enough to fight Helen with. Judy didn't have to do it, but she had. Kane watched as Judy bent over taking a brush from her purse. The bottom curve of her buttocks visible under the short lace nightgown. Kane knew what she was doing. She was telling him in her own way, that he was forgiven. Kane's heart swelled with love for this woman. Not only had she given him the proof he needed, but now she was ready to forgive him, not only that, but was ready to stand by him. Judy laid the brush on the dresser, then went over to stand beside his chair.
"Kane, I love you. I believe you! I have a lot of money and it's ALL at your disposal. You do what you have to do to guarantee your rights as a father. I want us to make this marriage work, if you want it to." Judy's eyes were warm and sincere, but most of all they were filled with love. Kane reached out taking her hand,pulling her down into his lap, Bending his head, Kane nuzzled her neck, tracing a path to her lips. She moaned, her hands sliding around his neck, pulling him closer to her.Her lips sought out and found his. soon, they moved to the bed. Sleep was a long time coming for either of them.
They picked up Kaliegh and Taker at the airport the next morning. The men shook hands and the women hugged each other.
"Well I see you two kissed and made up!" Taker said eyeing the couple. Judy couldn't prevent the blush that stained her cheeks. Kane looked at his wife then at his friend.
"Man you have NO IDEA how lucky I am!" Kane said with a heart felt sigh.Taker merely looked at Kane, wondering what had happened or what Judy did, this time. Taker knew she was a kind woman, but it wasn't until later, when Kane had a chance to tell him what she did, that Taker realized just how generous she really was.
Kane had contacted his attorney that very next morning, telling him what he had and what he wanted. "I want her alimony cut in half, I want the boys with me when they are out of school, and no more surprise visits from her. She is not to come anywhere near me unless she calls first, and I say it's ok." Kane told the man.
"You finally got the proof you needed!" Was all the man would say.
"I sure do! I have enough to gain permenant custody of the boys, but they need her right now, and it would destroy her if I took them away from her. I don't want to do that. I just want what's fair." Kane said honestly. "But all that could change if she doesn't agree to my terms."
************
"You feeling okey, Kaliegh?" Taker asked as their flight took off. He thought she looked pale and seemed more tired that usual today.
"Yeah, just a little tired." She had the same dream again last night that she first had two nights ago. "I didn't sleep well last night." Kaliegh replied as she laid her head on his shoulder and slept through the rest of the four hour flight.
After arriving in Atlantic City and checking into their hotel, Taker went and talked to Judy and Kane while Kaliegh once again laid down and instantly fell right to sleep again.
"Taker, please come in." Kane said as he opened the door and stepped aside to allow Taker inside. "Where's Kaliegh?"
"She's sleeping. She won't admit it, but I don't think she's feeling too good today." The concern was plainly evident in his voice. "She slept all the way through the flight this morning and then she fell right back to sleep the minute we walked into the room."
"I wouldn't worry about it too much, Taker. She's probably just a little burnt out and needs some good sleep." Judy commented, hoping to reassure him.
"I'm sure you're right, Judy. Anyway, I know you and Kaliegh were planning to go to the show together tonight, but since I don't think she'll be making it, I wanted to tell you not to wait for her." Taker said as he stood and walked to the door.
"I understand. Give her a hug for me and tell her to get better soon." Judy said as Taker left.
When Taker arrived back at their room, he was glad to see Kaliegh had gotten up. She still didn't look any better than before. She looked worse actually.
"Have you gotten enough sleep now?" Taker asked lightly, trying not to let his concern for her show through.
"I feel like I haven't even slept all this time. My head feels like it's got a semi driving around inside of it, my whole body aches and my stomach is turning. I've never felt this crappy before, Taker." Kaliegh said then put her head down in her arms as another wave of dizziness washed over her.
"Will you be alright while I'm at the show tonight or should I..."Taker started but was stopped.
"No, I'll be fine. I'm just going to go back to bed and wake up tomorrow feeling 100% better."
Taker left for the arena a short time later after making sure she had everything she might need and that she would be alright while he was gone. He walked to the elevator, his head down, deep in thought. He was worried about her...really worried. There was something about Taker that no one, not even Kane, who Taker considered his brother, knew about him. Nobody knew that Taker had a rare blood disorder and the symptoms that Kaliegh had now, were exactly the same as what he had before he found out what was wrong with him. Of course, she could have nothing more than the flu, but Taker had a feeling that wasn't the case. There was no cure for the disease. It's course could be slowed down with medication, but the the end result was always the same. Death in 5-10 years.
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As she slept, Kaliegh again had the same dream that she had been having the last three nights now. She woke up again with a jolt, her body bathed in sweat. She didn't know it yet, but she would soon understand the significance of the dream.