Lost and Found (19 page)

“Stop it.” Lance ordered, his face flushed. He lifted the girl into his arms as he stood up.

“Get that door fixed and let’s have dinner. I’m famished.”

*

*

*

“Are you sure you are ready to do this?” Alan asked his brother as he prepared for his date. “It’s going to take things to a whole different level.”

“Alan, it’s our first real date. I need to see how she does in public now that she’s not a threat. We’ll be fine. Hand me a tie, won’t you?”

“Remember your first date? You were so nervous that you wanted to puke,” Alan teased, wrapping the tie around his brother’s collar and starting to knot it for him, “I thought you were going to pass out on me.”

“You’ve always been there for me, big brother. I really appreciate you. Thanks for sticking this thing out with Noelle. I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”

“We’re family, Lance. The people who tried to hurt Noelle are permanently locked away in a mental hospital, we won the lawsuit against the government which should produce a nice fat check to make even our little sister do summersaults, and you are the happiest I’ve seen you since Kathy was a kid. I can tell something is still bothering you, though. What is it?”

“Stuart Hart. Do you think she was telling me the truth? You saw what she did to those men.”

“Yes, I believe her. Stuart died from a self-inflicted injury. He was a bitter old man who couldn’t be happy unless others were miserable. He was jealous of you, and his own insecurities and hatred put his neck in that noose, not you and not Noelle. Let it go, little brother. Tonight’s supposed to be a happy one.”

“You always know how to say the right thing. How do I look?”

“If I weren’t happily married, I’d date you,” his brother teased.

The two men met Todd and William downstairs.

“Where are the girls?” Alan asked.

“All four of them are helping Noelle get ready for her date. You would think it was prom night or something.” Todd laughed, handing Lance a partial glass of wine, which was downed immediately. “Nervous, bro?”

“A little. I… oh, Lord,” Lance froze mid-sentence as Noelle came downstairs in a form-fitting violet cocktail dress. She had low heels on and her hair was done in ringlets around her face. She positively glowed. “You are breathtaking,” Lance choked out, his manhood immediately starting to grow.

“Watch out before you embarrass yourself, big brother,” Kathy whispered. Lance blushed, feeling like he was 16 again.

“I can’t believe how lovely you are. I want you to have this, granddaughter.” William said, handing her a long box. In it was a silver necklace shaped like a snowflake with a shimmering gem in the center.

“It’s beautiful, Grandpa! Thank you. Put it on me, please.”

“It’s a special stone. I found it in Roswell when I appropriated my samples. It stayed in your tank as you were grown and developed into this. I’ve carried it with me all this time and I had it placed in this setting. Consider it an early birthday present.” He adjusted it to hang under her ‘Noelle’ necklace and stepped back to admire her.

“Noelle, it’s the same exact color of your eyes! It’s so pretty,” Keren and Kelly exclaimed, touching it delicately.

Noelle hugged the twins happily. “Thanks for helping me. I don’t know how to do any of this on my own yet.”

“Just relax and have fun. Don’t let him hog the conversation,” Maggie advised, adjusting a curl. “I feel like she’s one of my babies going on a first date,” she said as she started to cry.

“Hormones. There, there, pumpkin…” Alan groaned, holding his wife between him and the newly forming baby bulge. He tossed the keys to his car to Lance, “Take my car tonight and get out of here before we end up having an emotional breakdown. She’s got Katherine crying already.”

Lance quickly exited the house with Noelle on his arm and helped her into Alan’s BMW.

“Are you as nervous as I am?” Lance asked as they started towards the city.

“Yes. I’ve never been away from my little girl for very long,” Noelle admitted, longing for the comfort of her bunny.

“Me, neither,” Lance laughed. “How have you been feeling without your special abilities?”

“Strange. Although… it’s nice not having to get those nasty shots… I hate shots.”

“I know. William and I guessed that the chemicals in your body that enabled your abilities were draining you. You’ve also been behaving yourself so well. What’s with that?”

“I hate spankings even more than I hate shots,” Noelle wrinkled her nose, unconsciously squirming in her seat.

“I would think so. William talked me out of hot and spicy tonight, so we’re going to try something different. Do you still remember how to speak French?”

“Oui, monsieur. Et vous?”

“Tres bien!” Lance sounded happy. “Let’s have an evening in Paris, then.” He pulled into the Paris Casino, left the car with the valet, and escorted his date to the Eiffel Tower restaurant. Noelle stared silently from their window seat, watching the sea of twinkling lights below her.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” she whispered, enthralled.

“I have,” Lance whispered, encasing her hand in his and gazing into her mesmerizing eyes. Noelle blushed prettily, a tiny, pleased smile on her pink lips.

“You’re not too bad yourself, Dr. Callahan,” she teased, testing the waters. His laugh relaxed her.

“Before we get too comfortable complementing each other, let’s order. I’m famished.”

“You’re always famished,” Noelle grinned. “I don’t know what to get. There’s too many choices.”

“Since this is your first experience, we’ll get the Tasting Menu. Do you like salty?”

“I don’t know. Do you?”

“Yes. I’m indulging tonight. Two for the Tasting Menu and one Golden Osetra, please.

Pair it for me as well.” Lance requested. He winked at Noelle’s confused look, “I’ll have the sommelier select wine to go with the meal. You only get a little sip, though.”

“Grandpa said I shouldn’t drink wine because I’ll go crazy.”

“You’re not going to drink, you will taste.”

Lance watched the pleasure on the girl’s face as she experienced French flavors and textures for the first time. She delighted over the caviar, groaned into her
Soupe d'Ecrevisse,
sighed as the rack of lamb melted in her mouth, and giggled over the Petite Fours. Her eyes widened as she tasted the wines, thoroughly relishing the bouquet and sensation to her palate.

Lance had never witnessed anyone appreciate the experience like she did. They were relaxing after the meal, sipping coffee, when they were interrupted.

“Lance Callahan! Imagine seeing you here. And with… a child.” The tall, leggy brunette flashed a sensual smile at Lance.

Lance stood, hiding his disgust. “Becca. This is Noelle. My date. Noelle, this is Rebecca.”

“My, my, you
are
a young one. And fairly decent looking. Where did he find you? At a daycare center?” Becca released a throaty, demeaning laugh, ignoring Lance’s attempts to silence her without making a scene. “Oh honey, I’m sorry. You look surprised. Didn’t he tell you about us? We were practically engaged,” the woman announced haughtily, perusing Noelle with her eyes. Noelle did not respond other than the narrowing of her violet eyes. “So how have you been, my dear? Do you miss sleeping with an adult woman?”

“Keep your hands to yourself, Becca. You’ve been drinking. Where’s your boyfriend?”

“Dropped him a while back. I got tired of slumming at the Rio.” She tossed her long, thick hair over her shoulder, turning her back to Noelle. “Other than this little girl, what are you doing?”

“I’m enjoying an evening with a woman I care about. Now, if you would please excuse us, we would like to return to it,” his voice rumbled.

“By all means. Watch out, little dolly, he likes to put his sugar in the bowl, but it doesn’t last very long,” Becca snickered before strolling away.

“I’m sorry about that, sweetheart. I had no idea she would be here.”

“You slept with her? Like in bed?” Noelle asked, her eyes flashing, “What did she mean about
sugar and a bowl
?”

“Shhh, calm yourself. We were involved several years ago and broke up because she cheated on me. Noelle? Talk to me.”

“I want to go home.” Noelle fought back tears.

“I don’t understand. You have nothing to be jealous about.”

“You’re lucky I can’t hurt her. Take me home. Now.” Noelle demanded, hissing under her breath.

Lance frowned. “You are over-reacting. I love you. There is nothing between Becca and I.”

“Fine. If you won’t take me home, I’m walking,” Noelle said, storming away from the table.

“Noelle, come back here. Damn,” Lance snarled, quickly paying the tab and then leaving to find the incensed girl. He started searching, pushing down the anxiety in his heart as he realized this whole environment was beyond her ability to comprehend. He asked around trying to find her, but no one he asked had seen her.

Desperate, Lance finally called home for help. “Todd? Put your PI hat on. Noelle got pissed and ran out on me. Where would she go?”

“What did you do, old man?”

“Becca showed up and Noelle got a taste of the little green monster. She reacted very poorly.”

“Poor kid. Ok, look for something familiar. She should migrate towards that.”

“She has no idea how to survive in the city, Todd, let alone
this
city. What am I going to do?”

“Get a grip and look around. You’ll find her. She won’t go far. Kathy said her feet still can’t handle walking for long.”

“Ok, I’ll let you know. Is Alan still there?”

“No, he took your truck and dragged the family home. I was going to take Kath out to see a movie. Do you want me to hang around?”

“No, go ahead. I think I know where she is. I’ll talk to you later,” Lance said, eyeing the huge pool at the base of the tower. It was quiet and secluded, with lights reflecting through the water much like his pool at home.

Sure enough, he found Noelle sitting alone on a lounge chair, staring at the water with her back to him. Lance took off his jacket and draped it across her shoulders, and sat next to her on the lounge.

“Why did you run off? You know that makes me worry.”

“Leave me alone.”

“You don’t like being alone, remember? There is nothing to be jealous about. She’s part of my past. And not a good part.”

“You didn’t tell me about her.”

“We haven’t really had the chance to discuss my past relationships with you. This is your coming out, remember?”

“I don’t belong in this world. It’s too much.”

“It’s part of growing up, Noelle. Another part is not having tantrums when things don’t go your way. I understand you being jealous, but why take it out on me?”

“I need my Daddy.”

“I don’t think you want your Daddy right now. Daddy would be spanking you for your terrible behavior.”

“I don’t care. I want my Daddy,” she whispered, holding her hands tightly together.

Lance wrapped his arm around her shoulders, watching the pool water ripple in the darkness. “Noelle, I don’t want to be Daddy right now. I want to be Lance. I know it’s hard for you, but that is why we are doing this outing together. We need to be able to talk like adults and you need time to learn how to be a big girl,” he said patiently, kissing her cheek.

“I wanted to hurt her,” Noelle said again.

“She’s already been hurt enough. That’s why she’s such a mean person. Just like Dr.

Hart was. I don’t ever want you to be like that, which is why I’m trying to teach you how to do things properly.”

“Lance?”

“What, sweetheart?”

“If I asked you to spank me, would you?”

“I can’t punish you for reacting to something that you’ve never seen before. You’re feeling guilty and I don’t know why.”

“Because you wanted to spank me for how bad I was. I could tell.”

“I did at first, but I have to be fair.”

“Then I’ll tell Uncle Alan what happened and how I ran away and worried you,” she threatened, knowing Alan would not have tolerated her reckless behavior, no matter the reason.

“Go ahead. You might regret it, but if you insist, I’m not going to stop you,” Lance warned. “Let’s go for a walk and clear our heads. Are you cold?” Both were oblivious to the Christmas decorations and enchanting holiday displays as they struggled with newfound emotions. Lance could tell Noelle’s feet started to hurt her and led her back to the car. “Noelle? Do you love me?” he asked as they started to drive home.

“Yes, Lance. You’re my life.”

“Then I need you to trust me when I make a decision about you. If I start to second guess myself, then things won’t turn out well.”

“If you say so,” she sounded doubtful.

“I do.” Lance pulled over on the side of the quiet road and turned the ignition off. He looked at the young woman next to him and saw the glisten in her eyes. “You really feel badly about what happened, don’t you?”

“I ruined our date.”

“No, Becca did that. You did not know how to act, that’s all.”

“Lance, I might be new to this world, but I’m able to understand more than you give me credit for. I watch TV and movies, I see how our family behaves, I read books. I knew the best way to respond to her, I just didn’t want to.”

“Did you, now? You recognized the feeling of jealousy when it came up?”

“Well, no. I just felt angry and the need to poke her eyes out.”

“But you didn’t do that. See? You made a good choice.”

“With her, but then I got mad at you. I’m sorry.”

“You really want a spanking to clear your guilt, don’t you?” he sighed. Noelle lowered her face and nodded. “Very well, when we get home, go to my room.”