Beachy

Section 6

Please note: This is copyrighted (©) by me, Tammtamm. Please do not copy it or save it without my permission. Thank you. This story has some connection to the story Missy and Bob, but you won't see that until much later in the story (however, you may see some similarities). Feedback for the story should be sent to stories@iwuvjoey.com. Any similarities between the characters and people in real life are purely coincidental. These are characters from my mind (although some names and characteristics were "borrowed" from Baywatch). This is purely for enjoyment purposes only. Any and all comments should be sent to me at iwuvjoey@iwuvjoey.com unless it's feedback pertaining to the story. Thank you.

"Ski, sorry I'm a few minutes late. Normy was telling me about a rescue he had this morning."

"It's alright. Have a seat."

"What's going on?" Mitch inquired.

"Dean McCollum broke in this morning. Colleen shot him. Now, she's in the hospital for exhaustion. I'm taking her away from everyone and everything first thing in the morning. We're going up to the cabin at Lake Tahoe. You and her father are the only ones who are to know where we are." Ski quickly explained.

"Does Colleen know what you're doing?"

"She knows we're going on a vacation where she can get a lot of rest."

"Thanks for letting me know where you two will be. Now, tell me about this morning. MJ and Matt didn't say a word."

"I asked them not to. We were all out on the patio and Collie was still upstairs in her room. MJ and Matt had decided to go to work so we all came inside, that's when we heard her scream. I reached her first. Dean McCollum was out cold on the floor. Colleen was trembling and crying. She let the gun slide off her hand and onto the floor. She was so upset that she fired the gun and then when Matt took off his mask and she realized it was Dean, she started screaming."

"Oh, man. Now, explain how she got into the hospital?"

"Well, Dr. Collins says that she had an allergic reaction to what she had for lunch today and that caused her to vomit. Once her stomach was empty, she started coughing up blood. I thought it was the beginnings of an ulcer. The only way I can get her out of the hospital is if I can guarantee Dr. Collins that she'll get complete rest. That's why the less people know where we're going, the better."

A waiter brought a phone to the table.

"There's a call for you Mitch." the waiter said.

"Thanks...Hello?"

"Mitch, it's MJ. Do you know where I can reach Ski? Brian is looking for him. He says it's important."

"Is Brian there now, MJ?" Mitch asked. Ski began to talk. Mitch held up his hand. "Hold on."

"Brian's looking for you. Says it's important." Mitch said. He had his hand over the phone.

"I'll talk to him." Mitch handed Ski the phone.

"MJ? It's Ski. Put Brian on the phone." Ski said.

"Ski?"

"What's up, Brian?" Ski asked.

"Did you get my phone message?" he asked.

"I was in a hurry, but I got it. What's up?"

"I've decided to take Colleen's offer of being one of her bodyguards so what can I do?"

"She's in room 422 at the hospital. Go home, pack some clothes for Lake Tahoe. Enough for two weeks and meet me back in her room by six tonight. We'll go over everything then. Don't tell anyone where we're going." Ski said.

"Okay. Six o'clock. I know where."

"I will be going by her apartment and getting our luggage after Mitch and I finish our lunch meeting. I've got a few other errands to run, but I should be there by six."

"Good. See you then." Brian hung up the phone.

"What was that all about?" Mitch asked.

"Looks like Brian is now Colleen's official bodyguard."

"Looks like I've lost a lifeguard or maybe, two?" Mitch questioned Ski.

"Put me on a leave of absence. Mental. Kirby will vouch that. Until Colleen is clear on her future, my immediate future is making her well." Ski said.

"Don't allow yourself to get too deep in this, Ski. Colleen may never feel for you what you feel for her."

"I know, but I gotta do this. C'mon, let's order lunch."

 

"Thanks for meeting me here, Brian." Ski said a few minutes after six. Brian had been waiting at the nurse's station for him.

"No problem. The nurses said that that she's slept all afternoon."

"She hasn't had any nightmares?" Ski asked.

"Not according to the nurses."

"Cool. I've made all the arrangements for us for the cabin. Colleen's father is going to drop off the Bronco and we'll also take the jeep. You can lock your car up in my garage if you want. Did you manage to get any sleep today?" Ski inquired as they walked over to the waiting room.

"Not really."

"Okay then, I'll take first shift. I asked that the room next to Collie's be ready for one of us. Dr. Collins had one of the nurses' aids' handle it earlier. Any questions?"

"Yeah, what did the doctor say to you concerning Colleen? Why don't you want her friends and family to know where she is?"

"She needs complete rest and she isn't getting it here or in New York. At the cabin, there will be no phone and no radio stations or news reports from the TV or newspapers. Collie needs to get better and you and I are going to help her do that whether it takes a few days or a few months. Mitch and Mr. Dougherty both know where we'll be. I've arranged for a cellular phone and a beeper for us while we're up at the cabin."

"I guess you've got everything set. I'm going to go get some sleep. Wake me around 11?" Brian asked.

"You bet."

 

It was about 8:30 that evening when Colleen woke up from sleeping. Ski was looking out the window.

"Where am I?" she asked as she sat up.

"The hospital. How are you feeling?" Ski turned around to look at her. She looked pale.

"Tired. What time is it?"

"Around 8:30. All the arrangements have been made and we'll be leaving for the cabin in the morning." Ski walked over and sat down in the chair next to the bed.

"Thank you. Are you okay?" Colleen was worried about Ski.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he smiled.

"You just seem sad." she commented.

"I'm fine. I've talked to Mitch and he's okayed a mental leave of absence for me." Ski told her.

"You don't have to do this."

"I know, but I want to. There's the difference." Ski said.

"Where are my parents?"

"At home. You need to rest and having your parents hover over you won't give you the rest you need. Your father knows about the arrangements that I've made and he'll tell your mother once we've left the city. No one except for the family, Mitch, and Brian know you're here and even less people will know that we're up at Big Bear."

"You did all this?" Colleen asked as she reached for some water.

"Let me get that." Ski immediately poured her a glass of water. "Yeah, and Brian is coming with us up to the cabin. He's in the room next door sleeping. None of us has gotten much lately."

"I'm sorry about that." Colleen said.

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault. I blame the McCollums for all of this. Speaking of the McCollums, there's something you should know about Dean..." Ski got up and walked over to the window again.

"If you're going to tell me, come over here so I can see your face."

"He's in a coma, Colleen. The paramedics and the emergency staff at Mercy General managed to get him breathing and the surgery was a success, but he's still unconscious." Ski walked into the light.

"How do you know this?" Colleen asked.

"Detective Anders held a brief news conference around five o'clock to update the press on Dean's condition. They've been holding a vigil at your parents' house all day. Your mother even made a statement."

"What'd she say."

"That you were getting the rest you needed and that you, yourself would be holding a press conference within a few weeks."

"That's true. What about the reading of the will?"

"That's going to be done in the morning via speakerphone. Your father will come to Dr. Collins office, as will Mitch and a few others that were named in the will, including us, and Dean's parents will be at their lawyer's office across town. Your dad said that Judge Marks granted the restraining order against them a few hours ago."

"Oh, wow. What a mess all this has become." Colleen began to cry.

"Don't worry about it. It's over." Ski sat down on the bed and put his hands on her cheeks. "It's all over." he said as he directly looked into her eyes. "We're going to start anew, like David would want us to. Understand?" he asked her as he pulled her into an embrace. She nodded her head.

 

"Hey, Ski? Wake up. It's almost eleven." Brian said as he came into the room. Colleen was sound asleep and Brian was dozing in the chair, holding her hand.

"Huh, what?" Ski jolted up.

"It's just me." Brian said.

"Oh, Brian. What time is it?"

"Just about eleven. Why don't you go on next door and get some sleep?"

"I can't. Could you do me a favor though?"

"Sure, what."

"Run over to the diner across the street and get a vanilla milkshake for Colleen? She's been waking up nearly every hour since eight-thirty and she should have something that will coat her stomach. The water makes her taste the acidic remnants in her stomach."

"Sure. I could use something to eat, how about you?"

"Nah, I'm fine. Doctor Collins brought me a hamburger around nine-thirty." Brian said.

"I'll be back in a few then." Brian said and left the room.

 

"Dan, Mr. and Mrs. McCollum, can you hear me alright?" William Dougherty asked into the speaker phone.

"We can all hear you just fine, William." the McCollums' lawyer replied.

"Good. Then it seems that everyone is present for the reading of the will of David Patrick McCollum. Dan, do you have the copy I faxed over to you in front of you?"

"Yes I do."

"Okay then, I'll proceed. Colleen? You ready?" he asked his daughter.

"Yes daddy, I'm ready."

 

"`Again, I've changed this will on the fifth day of June 1994. I am of sound mind and body.' David's signature appears in the lower right hand corner, mine is underneath, followed by Mitch's signature and Dean McCollum's signature. That concludes the reading of Dave's will. Does anyone have any questions?" Mr. Dougherty asked as he finished reading Dave's will.

"You will handle the purchase of the house for David's parents, alright?" Colleen asked her father.

"Agreed. Is that okay with you and the McCollum's Dan?" Mr. Dougherty asked.

"Yes, it is."

"And they don't plan on contesting the will?" Colleen quietly asked.

"No, we don't." Mr. McCollum replied.

"Dad, I want you to write up a document stating that if no criminal charges are brought against them whatsoever in the next five years, that a trust fund of a million dollars will be given to them." Colleen said.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Ski asked.

"When David updated the will, he was angry. Despite everything that's happened they were his parents." was all Colleen said, "Could we please leave now?" she asked.

"That's all. I'll have all paperwork ready to sign in the next few days." Mr. Dougherty replied.

"Thanks, dad." Ski, Colleen, and Brian left the room before everyone else.

           

"Collie, I sincerely commend you on your act of faith in there today." Ski said as he lifted her out of the wheelchair and back onto the bed. Colleen was still really weak.

"Well, if they had anything to do with Dean's actions, the police will find out then they'll lose the house and the million. For their sakes, I hope that they didn't, but I know you and Mitch are suspicious about the whole thing." Colleen yawned. Dr. Collins and her father came into the room.

"What a yawn!" the doctor declared.

"It must be the sedative you had Ski mix into my food." Colleen stated.

"How'd you know?" Ski asked.

"The oatmeal had a bad aftertaste to it. Don't worry, I'm not going to fight about it. I know I need the rest."

"Good, because I'm discharging you into Ski's care effective immediately. I've also contacted Dr. Marsh and told him that you were taking a longer vacation due to what's been happening. He wanted me to tell you that if you need to talk to him that you can call his answering service and leave a number. I've put his number on a sheet of instructions for you. No salty foods until tomorrow and only if you think you can handle it. I'm giving you a prescription for some sleeping pills, but only take them if you can't sleep. I think once you get out into the country and the peace and quiet, you'll be able to sleep without the pills, but they're just in case."

"Thank you. How soon can I leave?" Colleen asked.

"As soon as you're ready."

"In that case, where are my clothes?" Colleen asked Ski. "I can sleep in the Bronco." she told him. Everyone laughed at the way she said it.

"I brought you a tee-shirt and sweat pants. Figured you'd be more comfortable this way." Ski replied. He handed her a duffel bag.

"Thank you. Daddy, could you help me into the bathroom?" Colleen asked. Her father carried her into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, Colleen came out of the bathroom. "I'm ready to go." she announced.

"Well, in that case. I'll see you when you get back." her father hugged his daughter. "I'm going to miss you, squirt."

"I'll miss you too, daddy. Give mom and the twins my love. I'll call in a few days or so." Colleen said. Her father left the room.

"Brian? You ready?" Ski asked.

"Packed and ready to go." Brian announced, "The dogs are in the back of the Bronco." he added.

"I'll get a nurse to walk out with you. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to call me." Dr. Collins explained.

"Thanks, doc." Ski said before the doctor left the room.

"How are you feeling?" Ski asked Colleen.

"Like I'm sneaking out after curfew." Colleen replied.

"It's the only way, Coll."

"I know that. And I trust you and Brian. Don't worry. Once we're at the cabin, I'll be fine." Colleen replied.

"I'm not worried. Brian, can you follow her out to the Bronco? I'm going to go ahead and put her suitcase in the Jeep." Ski said and left the room.

"Was it my imagination or did he suddenly get distant?" Colleen asked.

"He suddenly got distant. He's lying to you. He's very worried about you." Brian said. The nurse came into the room.

"Are we ready to go, Colleen?"

"Yes, nurse." Colleen replied. Brian walked beside the wheelchair. Since Colleen was still weak, Ski lifted her into the Bronco once she and Brian came out of the hospital.

"Channel 19 on the CB, Brian. You're B2, we're B1." Ski instructed Brian.

"Okay."

"Ski?" Colleen asked before Ski closed the passenger door.

"Yes?" he asked. Colleen threw her arms around him.

"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you." she replied. He hugged her back.

"That goes double for me, Collie." Ski said. Once they let go of each other, he made sure her seatbelt was on and that the afghan was on her lap. "In case you get cold." he stated. He jumped into the other side of the Bronco, looked at her and said "We're off."

Within a half hour of them leaving the hospital, Colleen was sound asleep in the Bronco.

"Hey, B2." Ski said into the microphone.

"Yeah?"

"She's already sound asleep."

"That's good. I know that everyone was concerned about how she would handle the bumpy ride."

"I think it's safe to say that at least for now, she's handling it just fine."

"That's good. How are the dogs doing?"

  "Aw, they're use to traveling. They're behaving pretty well. Where are you?"

  "Just passed mile marker 278. Where are you?"

  "About three miles behind you."

  "I'll pull over and wait for you." Brian said.

  "That's okay, you don't have to." Ski said.

  "I'll slow down a bit then." Brian replied.

  "Hey, where'd you put the ice chest?" Ski said. He was thirsty.

  "Behind your seat. Why?"

  "I'm thirsty is all."

  "Yeah, it's behind your seat."

"Okay, thanks. Well, I'm going to turn the CB down a little bit and the radio up a little to listen to some music. If you need me, yell."

"You do the same. I'm 10-6, on the side." Brian replied.

 

"Collie? Wake up? We're almost there?" Ski gently nudged Colleen on the arm.

"Huh? What? Where are we?"

"On the other side of the lake, directly opposite from the cabin." Ski announced proudly.

"Hey, why are we stopping?" Brian asked over the CB.

"To enjoy the view. Get the dogs for me while I help her out of the car, please?" Ski asked back. He got out of the Bronco and went over to Colleen's side. "You think you can walk?" he asked her.

"I don't know." she said honestly.

"Why don't I carry you over to that picnic table then?" he suggested. She nodded in agreement. Brian joined them a few minutes later with all three dogs dragging him over to Ski and Colleen.

"I forgot how beautiful it is up here." Colleen commented as she leaned against Ski.

"I remember when my family and I would come up here for summer vacations." Brian recalled fondly.

"What was that like?" Ski asked.

"Five boys and one girl scaring the hell out of the animals. Oh, it was fun until we all got sprayed by a skunk. Boy were my parents mad!"

"You have four brothers and a sister?" Colleen asked.

"Yeah, my sister and I are twins and we have two older brothers and two younger brothers. Ben is 34, Brad is 32, Breeanna and I are 27, Bobbie is 25 and BJ is 24."

"Breeanna? That's a pretty name." Colleen commented.

"Thanks. My mom is Barbara and my father is Buford James, Sr."

"Hey, I know BJ. He's a lifeguard down in San Diego, right?" Ski asked.

"Yeah, he is. He goes to college while working as a lifeguard."

"I met him last year when Mitch and I went down to help with some training for the new lifeguards. He's a really nice guy. Very down to earth and very honest."

"Thanks. He's the one my father thought would become the cop and not me."

"Why'd he think that?"

"BJ always told him he wanted to become a cop. Then he fell in love with Gymnastics. He's currently training for the Olympics."

"Another busy bee."

"Where's your cabin?"

"About a mile south of Colleen's parents cabin."

"Really? You were a mile away from me for all those summers and we never ran into each other?" Colleen was amazed.

"Shocking, isn't it?" Brian replied.

"Maybe while we're up here, we'll visit your family's cabin?" Ski suggested.

"I don't see why not." Brian said.

"Let's get over to the cabin now. I'm ready for more sleep." Colleen suggested. Brian took all three dogs back to the Bronco while Ski picked Colleen up and put her back in the passenger's seat.

"Buckle up. I'll be right back." Ski said as he closed the door.

"Where are you going?" she asked. Ski seemed upset about something.

"Why didn't you tell me about your family's cabin last night?" Ski said as he helped Brian close the door.

"It never crossed my mind. I don't like to talk about my family much." Brian asked.

"If you're keeping anything from us that could hinder Collie's recovery, so help me god, I'll ruin your career. Understand?" Ski asked.

"I understand. Don't get so uptight over this okay. Let's go." Brian said and walked back to the jeep. Brian got into the Bronco.

"What were you two talking about?"

"Don't worry about it. Everything is just fine." Ski assured her. When they arrived at the cabin, the minute Brian put Colleen under the afghan on the couch she was asleep again.

"Boy, that medicine is really powerful." Brian said. Ski had brought the dogs in.

"It's intended to be that way. She'll probably be out for an hour or so. We should unpack the cars." Ski replied.

"Okay. Micki, Chase, stay." Brian ordered the dogs to stay as he and Ski went out to unload the cars.

 

"Brian? Are you hungry?" Ski asked as he finished putting everything away in the kitchen.

"A little."

"Let's get the grill going. We can have an early supper."

"Where's the charcoal?"

"On the porch next to the wood pile." Ski read from a sheet of paper.

"Looks like we're definitely prepared." Brian said as he walked to the door.

"Ski?" Colleen asked as she shot up from the couch.

"I'm right here." Ski said. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just forgot where I was for a minute."

"You hungry?" Brian asked.

"A little."

"We were just going to start making supper." Ski explained.

"I could go for something cold and smooth." Colleen said as she tried to get up.

"Let me help." Brian offered her his hand.

"Thanks. I never knew that vomiting so much yesterday could make me this weak." Colleen replied.

"Where are you going?" Brian asked.

"The bathroom. Wanna walk with me so that I don't fall down?" she asked.

"How about a milkshake when you come back?" Ski asked.

"Please. Vanilla?" she asked.

"You want me to wait for you?" Brian said when they got to the bathroom door.

"No. I'll manage back to the couch. Go do what you were doing. Thank you." Colleen said.

 

"Colleen, you walk like an old lady." Ski teased as she came back into the living room.

"Gee, thanks for the compliment." Colleen smiled back at him. Ski moved towards her. "I can do this. Just shoo the dogs off of the couch for me." Colleen said. Ski chased the dogs outside.

"One vanilla milkshake. Smooth, cold, and thick." Ski set Colleen's milkshake down on the coffee table.

"Great, thanks. What are you guys having for dinner?"

"Hotdogs and grilled broccoli." Brian said. Colleen looked at Ski.

"I'm being daring." Ski explained.

"What's wrong?" Brian asked.

"Oh, nothing. It's just that Ski doesn't like broccoli." Colleen commented.

"I'm willing to try it grilled." Ski insisted.

"This is going to be interesting." Colleen laughed.

"Is the grill almost ready, Brian?" Ski asked.

"Pretty much. What'd you do with the hotdogs?"

"In the sink. They were still a little frozen." Ski replied. Brian grabbed the hotdogs and the broccoli and went back out to the grill.

"Hotdogs and broccoli? Are you sure you're feeling okay?" Colleen said as she took a spoon to her milkshake.

"You only live once, ya know. How's the milkshake?"

"Perfect. Hits the spot." Colleen said

"Good. You better finish every last drop of it." he replied as he went back into the kitchen. 10 minutes later he saw Colleen walking towards the front door. "Where do you think you're going?"

"To sit outside. It's beautiful outside. I want to smell the fresh air." she told him.

"Let me carry you out. The dogs are going to knock you down." he warned.

"Okay." Colleen gave in. Ski was so right about the dogs, they almost knocked him and Colleen down. They both laughed.

 

            TWO WEEKS LATER.

"Colleen? The cars are packed, dogs included. You ready?" Brian asked. Ski was making sure the sheds were locked up.

"I guess. Do my parents and Mitch know we're coming back today?"

"Your dad does, I don't know about Mitch and your mom, though." Brian replied. He joined Colleen on the patio.

"I'm going to miss this place. Thanks for coming with us." Colleen looked at Brian.

"Like I had a choice?" Brian teased.

"I'm glad you chose to be my bodyguard. Now maybe Ski can relax a little instead of being so tense all the time." Colleen was looking out at the lake.

"He just cares a lot about you." Brian tried to defend Ski's actions.

"I know he loves me and I guess, in my own way, I love him too. I'm just not ready for it right now." she admitted.

"What are you ready for?"

"To face life as a millionaire, as the owner of Patrick's Pubs International and still be the lifeguard I've always wanted to be."

"Where does Ski fit into all of this?"

"Everywhere. You and Ski are my best friends. You've seen me at my worst. If I didn't want either one of you in my life, you'd know about it."

"That's nice to know."

"I've never asked you this, but what about a girlfriend?"

"Don't have one. I'm gay." Brian said matter of factly.

"Okay, a boyfriend then?" Colleen asked without giving it a second thought.

"Don't have a boyfriend either. Been too busy since I first met you almost three weeks ago." he said.

"Does Ski know you're gay?" Colleen asked.

"Yeah, we talked about it the first night we were here. We talked about a lot of things that night." Ski came onto the porch.

"Everything is locked up nice and tight. You guys ready to go?" Ski asked them.

"Been ready." Colleen replied.

"Let's get out of here." Brian replied.

"Let's go home." Colleen linked her arm with Ski's as they walked to the Bronco. "What's the afghan for?" she asked Ski.

"In case you get cold. Please don't argue with me." he defended himself.

"I won't. It's a good idea. Oh, could we stop at the little store and get a milkshake?" Colleen asked.

"You heard the woman, we're stopping at the little store to get a milkshake before we head on home."

"Brian, you can go ahead and start home. Believe me, with the way Ski drives, we'll catch up to you in no time." Colleen laughed.

"In that case. I'll see you guys on the highway. Drive safe." he cautioned.

"You too." Ski replied as he got into the Bronco.

 

"B2, where are you?" Colleen got on the CB and asked.

"Still on PCH. Where are you?"

"Getting ready to pull into my dad's office building." Colleen replied.

"I should be there in five minutes." Brian replied.

"10-4, we're on the side." Colleen said. She looked at Ski.

"You ready to face reality?" he asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be. Gimme the phone." Colleen said. Ski handed her the cellular phone. She dialed her father's office number.

"William Dougherty's office, may I help you?" his secretary, Gwen answered the phone.

"Hi, Gwen. It's Colleen. Is my father available?" she asked.

"One moment, he's been waiting for your call." Gwen said and buzzed the call through.

"Colleen? Honey, where are you?" her father asked as soon as he picked up the phone.

"In your parking lot. Brian is pulling in now. We'll be up in a few minutes, okay?"

"Okay. Oh, one more thing..." her father said.

"What?"

"Welcome home." her father said and hung up the phone.

Brian had parked next to them.

"Daddy's expecting us, let's go."

Colleen ran into her father's arms once they were led into his office.

"This feels so good." Mr. Dougherty declared.

"Ditto, daddy." Colleen said.

"You look much better." he commented.

"You'll have to thank my bodyguards and nurses. They pampered me to death up at the cabin." Colleen teased. Both Brian and Ski blushed.

"Well, the country air definitely did you all some good. Have you called Dr. Collins yet?"

"We just got back into town. We came straight here." Ski explained.

"Well, don't I feel special?" Mr. Dougherty beamed.

"Well, we had to. Do I have a new home or not?" Colleen asked her father.

"Yes, you do. All you have to do is sign the papers. Ski told you about the house I found?" her father replied. Everyone found chairs and sat down.

"Yeah, the one in Malibu that is basically on it's own little cliff."

"That's the one. It could be a double of Madonna's place, only no striped walls. I have some pictures here." Mr. Dougherty opened his file on the house. "Mitch and the gang and your mother and Jenn and the twins and I all packed up your apartment and moved it all into the house. Your car and Brian's car are parked in the garage."

"All that already! Wow. Detective Anders checked out the place before you did all this right?" Colleen asked.

"Yes. You've got 4 security personnel on the premises as well as an alarm at the gate and at the house."

Colleen fingered through the pictures of the house. She handed them to Brian and Ski.

"What do you guys think?" she asked.

"I think it's a solid deal." Brian said.

"I agree." Ski told her.

"Enough to move into the house with me?" she asked him.

"We'll talk about that later." was his response.

"Okay, I'll sign the papers." Colleen told her father.

"Looks like we've got a new house." Ski smiled.

"Now, call your mother and let her know you're home." Mr. Dougherty said after Colleen finished signing the papers.

"I'm going to go check on the dogs. I'll be right back." Brian said to everyone and excused himself from the office.

"I have to go to the men’s' room. Excuse me." Ski said and followed Brian out the door.

"They left in a hurry." her father said. Colleen dialed her parents' house. There was no answer.

"She's not there, dad."

"Hmmm, that's funny. She told me she'd be home all day." Mr. Dougherty said.

"Hey, look who I found in the elevator?" Ski said as he, Brian, and Mrs. Dougherty came into the office. Brian and Ski were each carrying one of the twins.

"Momma!" Colleen said as she and her mother embraced.

"It's so good to see you, Collie. You look a hundred percent better!"          

"Aunt Collie!" The twins kept saying over and over.

"Joey, Jessie, c'mere and give me a hug." Colleen sat down on a chair as the twins ran over to her. "My, you're getting so big!" she exclaimed. "Alright, you were all in on this little surprise weren't you?" Colleen looked from Ski to Brian to her father to her mother.

"Very guilty." Ski finally said. "I knew how much you missed your mom so we planned this.

"C'mon everyone. Lunch is planned in the conference room." Mr. Dougherty said. They all went into the conference room.

"Surprise!" Mitch, Ganna, Kevin, MJ, Matt, Roe, Dougie, Shawnee, Billy, Jenn, Audrey and Ken Jones, Sergeant Geoffries, Dr. Collins, and Det. Anders all yelled as Colleen walked into the room.

"Oh my god! You stinkers!" Colleen looked at Brian and Ski. They looked at each other and yelled "Guilty!". "I know I was homesick, but I wasn't expecting this kind of a welcome home. Thank you. Everyone." Colleen said. Her father handed her his handkerchief. Ski came over.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry." Ski explained.

"I know, you did it to make me happy and I am. Thank you." she gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek.

"Hey! You two have seen each other everyday for the past two weeks. Where's my hug!" Mitch demanded.

"I'm sorry. Here." Ski turned around and hugged Mitch.

"Not you, you bozo. Colleen's hug." Mitch teased after they hugged.

"Oh, excuse me." Ski shot back jokingly.

"We've missed you a lot!" Mitch told Colleen.

"I missed you too. We gotta talk later." Colleen said to him.

"You got it." Mitch said.

After everyone hugged each other, they all sat down for lunch.

"Where are the dogs?" Colleen asked.

"Gwen took them to the park." Brian said.

"Gwen was in on this too?" she asked.

"Oh, yeah! She helped plan the entire thing." Mrs. Dougherty replied.

"This was the best gift I could ever get, Ski. Thank you." Colleen whispered into Ski's ear.

"Anything for you." he whispered back. Colleen smiled at him.

"So what did you do while you were up at the cabin?" Billy asked.

"I was weak for the first two days so I didn't do much but Brian and Ski were great. Ski actually ate grilled broccoli!" Colleen laughed.

"I thought you hated broccoli?" Mitch asked Ski.

"Brian is a great cook! He put just the right amount of butter and barbecue sauce..."

"Barbecue sauce?" MJ asked.

"Barbecue sauce on the broccoli and I was in heaven." Ski explained.

"Did you try it, Colleen?" Kevin asked.

"No. I stuck to a Vanilla milkshake that night. I was still a little afraid that I might get sick again."

"What did you do once you started feeling better?" Shawnee asked.

"Played with the dogs, went for walks in the woods, went fishing. Brian caught a rainbow trout about three feet long. We just took it easy." Colleen told everyone.

"Which is what you were suppose to do." Dr. Collins chipped in.

"It definitely agreed with you." Matt noticed.

"Thanks everybody and thank you for packing up my stuff and moving it to the new house."

"We're packing my house up next!" Ski shouted. Everyone laughed.

"He's not kidding. Ski's moving into that big house with me. I can't live there alone. It'd be too creepy." she said.

"So when are you coming back to lifeguarding?" Roe asked.

"When I get back into shape, hopefully. It depends on how noticeable I become thanks to all the press lately." Colleen answered. "Boy, I feel like I'm getting grilled by the press!" she teased everyone, "I have a question though, who's guarding the beaches?"

"We managed to get coverage for a few hours for everyone." Mitch winked at her.

"Well, this luncheon was great. It really was, but I've got a million things to do including a check up with Dr. Collins at 4:30 today. I promise that we'll have a cookout at my house soon, okay?" she asked everyone. She, Brian, and Ski stood up. Everyone nodded.

"Doc, I'll see you in a few hours." she said after she hugged her parents goodbye.

"Did we really surprise you?" Ski asked as soon as they got down to the Bronco. Gwen was walking over from the park with the dogs.

"You guys really did. Thank you." She said as she hugged him.

"Hey, where's my hug? I helped?" Brian teased.

"C'mere you big lug." she laughed.

"I take it the luncheon was a success?" Gwen asked as Brian helped put the dogs back in their cages.

"And then some. Thanks for taking care of the dogs."

"No problem, you know how I am with any little crowd of people. I was glad to have something to do." Gwen said.

"My mom and I made you a plate. I hope you enjoy it." Colleen said.

"I will. Oh, Collie. I have something to ask you." Gwen asked.

"Sure."

"I was wondering if you'd be a bridesmaid in my wedding?" Gwen grinned.

"You're getting married?" Colleen beamed.

"Yes. Steve asked me last Saturday. We're planning a December wedding." she replied.

"That's terrific!. I'd love to be in your wedding."

"Then it's settled. I'll call you in a few days with dress fitting information and everything, okay?"

"Yeah, just get the number from my dad." Colleen said. Gwen went into the office just as happy as ever.

 

"This looks like the place, Collie." Ski said as he stopped the Bronco at the front gate. They both got out of the Bronco.

"Can I help you?" a security guard asked.

"Hi. I'm Colleen Dougherty and this is my good friend Michael Romanowski. I will be living here."

"Can I see some identification, please?" the security asked. They both handed their drivers licenses over to him. "Thank you." the guard handed them back their IDs.

"And you are?" Ski asked.

"Benjamin Cahill."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cahill. Once Ski and I get settled in, we'd like to meet with you and the other guards and get to know you a little better. I know you've already spoken with my father, but I want you to know that I'm still not use to all this security stuff so don't take anything personal if I snap. I'm known to have a temper." Colleen explained.

"Yes ma'am."

"Oh, and please call me Colleen. I would prefer it if you did." Colleen shook his hand.

"Yes, ma...Colleen."

"You'll get the hang of it." Colleen said. She got Mr. Cahill to smile.

"There will be a guy by the name of Brian North in a Purple Jeep that will be along shortly. He's Collie's bodyguard. Let him through AFTER you give him a hard time, okay?" Ski asked.

"You're mean Ski. Mr. Cahill, just check his ID. I'll get a list of people that will be regular visitors to my house for you within the next few days."

"Ah, Colleen?"

"Yes."

"If I'm to call you Colleen, please call me Ben, ok?" Mr. Cahill asked.

"Certainly."

"C'mon, let's get in to the house. The dogs are getting antsy." Ski said.

"Alright, excuse us, Ben."

 

"Wow. The house is amazing!" Colleen gasped as they entered the house with the dogs in tow.

"Hello?" a female voice was heard through the house.

"Hello? Who's there?" Ski replied to the voice. A woman in her fifties appeared from the door to the kitchen.

"Hello?"

"Aunt Mamie!" Colleen said and walked over to her aunt.

"Colleen, child. It's so good to see you. Your parents thought you might need some help around here so Harry and I volunteered. We've set up house in the gate house."

"Momma hired you to work for me?" Colleen asked.

"Sort of. I'm just here to oversee your other employees."

"What other employees?" Ski inquired.

"Two maids and a butler/driver."

"Ski? Did you know about this?" Colleen asked.

"No. I thought we'd just get someone to come in once or twice a week." Ski replied.

"Well, kids. Personally, I think Colleen's mother just wanted Colleen not to feel so alone. If you don't want us to stay..."

"No...please do. Mom's right. This house would be too empty without you and uncle Harry and Ski. Oh, excuse my manners. Aunt Mamie, this is my good friend Michael Romanowski. Everyone calls him Ski. And Ski, this is my mom's aunt, my great aunt, aunt Mamie."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Aunt Mamie."

"Likewise, Ski. Now, the maids and your butler don't start until tomorrow so you'll have to fend for yourselves. I did make a salad and there's chicken marinating in the fridge. It's up to you to do with it what you will. Uncle Harry won't be home until later tonight. You must be exhausted so I'll leave you guys to your exploring."

"Wait! Aunt Mamie?" Colleen asked.

"Yes?"

"What really brought you back from Hawaii?"

"We'll talk about that in a few days. I'm sure we all have a lot to do with unpacking and everything."

"I'll see you to the door, Mamie." Ski offered. Colleen wandered off to look at the rest of the house while Ski walked Mamie to the door. When Ski finally found Colleen, she was looking at a portrait of her and David hanging over the fireplace in the den. It was exactly like the one that was ruined at the apartment.

"Amazing isn't it?" Ski asked her.

"Yeah."

"Your dad had the original artist re-do the painting.”

"It's a shame that the painting is going to have to come down." Colleen said. Ski couldn't believe it.

"What?"

"You heard me. This house is a new beginning for me and for you. I promised you a few weeks ago that I'm willing to try with you and me and having photos of me and David together all over the house just contradicts that and the present. David would want this. I want this. It wouldn't be fair to you, to me, or to David's memory." Colleen explained.

"Are you sure?" Ski asked.

"I've had two weeks of you pampering me and I'm very sure that I want to give us a try. You've always been so gentle and kind with me and we've got a lot in common."

"We'll take everything slow?"

"One day at a time."

"You've just made me the happiest man on this earth." Ski picked her up and spun her around.

"Hey what's going on in here?" Brian asked when he finally arrived.

"Life. It's about time you got here. What took you so long?" Ski asked.

"The security guard at the gate gave me a hard time." Brian plopped down on a bean bag chair. Both Colleen and Ski started laughing.

"I'm sorry, Brian. Ski told him to give you a hard time."

"And you didn't correct Ben, did you?" Brian asked.

"Not exactly. But, look at it this way, Ben's doing his job." Colleen said.

"Oh, brother." Brian shook his head.

"Better get use to him and the others because they'll report to you on a daily basis." Colleen said.

"Are you serious?" Brian asked. He thought she was joking.

"Very." Colleen turned back to look at the painting.

"This place is something else!" Brian said.

"Have you ever seen a picture of David?" Ski asked.

"Not that I'm aware of, why?"

"He's the guy in this painting with Collie. This is an exact duplicate of the painting that was ruined in the apartment."

"It's so lifelike." Brian said.

"Thank you, but it's coming down. Life goes on. If anything, I think I'll put it up at the Corporate Offices in the Board Room or something." Colleen said.

"What's going to go up in it's place?"

"I don't know. I'll think of something." Colleen said, "C'mon, let's go do some more exploring." she said and took hold of Ski's hand.

They were starting up the stairs to the second floor when the phone rang.

"Hello?" Colleen said as she answered it. She ran down to the table in the hallway to answer the portable it.

"Collie, honey! Hi!" it was her mother.

"Hi, mom. I love how you furnished the house. We were just about to go to the second floor and look around."

"I'm not bothering you, am I."

"Of course not, mom. I love you." Colleen said. Colleen said as she joined Ski and Brian at the top of the stairs.

"I love you, too, honey. Did you go into the den?"

"Yes, I've seen the painting. It's coming down and going in the board room at the Corporate Offices." Colleen said.

"You've let go of David?"

"In a way."

"Where are you now?"

"Looking into the bedroom at the top of the stairs, first door on the left."

"The only rooms that are completely furnished are your bedroom and Ski's oh, and the bungalow out by the pool in case Brian decides to live on the property." her mother explained.

"Okay, mom. Can I call you back later on tonight?"

"Sure, honey. I'm glad your home."

"Me too mom." Colleen said as she hung up the phones.

"Do I really need a house this big?" she said aloud.

"For security reasons, you do." Brian replied.

"You'll grow to like the house, Collie." Ski said in support.

"I hope so. I just feel like I don't belong here." Colleen said.

"C'mon, let's find our rooms." Ski suggested.

"I'm going to go take a look around the property. Yell if you need me." Brian said. He had a feeling something was beginning with those two and wanted to give them some time alone. They found their bedrooms and then joined Brian out back.

"You can see headquarters from here." Ski said.

"Yeah. The only other way someone can get into the house is to climb up the cliffs." Colleen said.

"That's not true. Come here. I want to show you two something." Brian walked them over to the left side of the yard. There were steps leading down the cliff to the beach. "There's gotta be at least a hundred steps going down." Brian said.

"Yeah. We'll have to put a gate up." Ski said.

"Oh my god. I just realized who's house this use to be." Colleen gasped.

"Who's?" both men asked.

"Kennedy Price's house. She had her own private beach and everything. Remember when we use to lifeguard her beach parties." Colleen said to Ski.

"Yes, I do, but this can't be it. Can it?" he asked. Colleen's alarm on her watch went off.

"I'll prove it to you later, right now, I've got a doctor's appointment in an hour. Brian, I'll let you come only if I get to drive the jeep." Colleen said.

"And what am I going to do?" Ski asked.

"You're going to call Mitch and ask him to put you back to work. I've been babied long enough and as soon as I get back in shape then I'll be hopefully returning as well." Colleen said. Ski looked at Brian.

"Don't look at me. I'm her bodyguard." Brian said. Everyone laughed.

"I guess I'll see you guys in a little while then." Ski said as he walked them to where Brian parked the jeep.

"Take care of the dogs. They're not use to this place yet." Colleen said as she and Brian drove off.

 

"You're healthy. How are you feeling?" Dr. Collins asked as he finished reading Colleen's test results.

"Alive and happy to be home."

"You look a hundred percent better. How's your appetite been?"

"I'm getting it back slowly. The first few days the only thing I ate was Jello and thick milkshakes. Today's luncheon was the most I've eaten in one sitting since before the vacation." Colleen replied.

"How is your relationship with Ski?" Dr. Collins asked.

"Good. He and Brian are my saviors. They really are." Colleen said.

"That's good. I've got a note from Dr. Marsh that he would like to set up a time for counseling with you for Wednesday. He's at a conference until Tuesday."

"Okay, I'll stop by his office and talk with his secretary."

"And your OB/GYN also wants to see you for a check up as well. Can you set that up today too?" Dr. Collins asked.

"I don't see why not. Thank you for everything, Dr. Collins." Colleen replied as she reached out to shake his hand.

"No problem. You just promise to see Dr. Marsh whenever things get to out of control and I shouldn't see you too much unless it's for check ups. Don't forget, your next eye appointment is next Thursday. I'll see you at the clinic, right?"

"Right! Boy, with all these appointments, I'm going to have to get a day planner." Colleen exclaimed.

"There isn't anything wrong with that." Dr. Collins walked Colleen out to the Nurses' Station. Brian was waiting for Colleen.

"All set?" he asked.

"Yeah, let's go." Colleen said. Colleen and Brian got on the elevator and left the hospital.

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