Post by trina1of7 on Oct 4, 2004 18:49:17 GMT -5
This is shorter than what I planned but it has been a long time between updates. Thanks for the great replies on the previous chapters! As always, comments and replies are welcomed, anticipated and appreciated.
Back chapter can be found at: p199.ezboard.com/bthegallery
Enjoy! Trina
Disclaimer: All characters belong to James E. Reilly, Outpost Farm Productions, and NBC. They are just being subjected to some creative licensing.
Chapter 19
Whitney parked her car and reached around and grabbed her tote bag off of the back seat. She couldn’t stop wondering if she was making a mistake by coming here. Ethan had insisted that he wanted her to spend the day with him and Natalie and today they’d planned to have some at home fun at the family pool. She hadn’t been able to join them earlier in the week and they both had been working long hours the rest of the week. He’d thought it would be a good way for them both to relax together without being out with a crowd. And Whitney wasn’t dense she knew that a big part of his motivation was because he wanted her to spend more time with Natalie and him together.
They had managed to salvage the remainder of their time together on Tuesday night after she’d gotten him to let the subject of her job and supervisor go and not let it ruin anymore of their time together. He’d been reluctant at first but before too long and a few kisses later; she was eventually able to put him in a much better mood.
He been disappointed when she’d been unable to join them on their Wednesday jaunt and then on Thursday he’d hadn’t been unable to meet her for an impromptu lunch. It was frustrating for the both of them and he’d confessed that he was having a hard time dividing his time between home, work and trying to see Whitney. She had assured him that she understood and that his time with Natalie was more important but he wanted them all to spend some time together and for Natalie to get to know Whitney and she her.
Whitney would love to get to know Ethan’s daughter better but that implied that they were moving this relationship into a more committed realm. She wasn’t sure she was ready to deal with all the ramification that came with that commitment. They were not lovers but they both knew it was only a matter of time before it happened. Whitney knew that it would be soon, very soon.
She mustered up her courage and went to the front door and rang the bell. She had been nervous thinking that she might run into the senior Cranes Ivy or Julian but without any fanfare, a maid led her out to the pool area where a laughing Ethan watched Natalie and she swam to the edge of the pool and splashed water at him.
“Hey, you made it.” He turned sparkling eyes her way and Whitney couldn’t control the happy grin that raced across her face.
“Of course.” She laughed then waved at the playful little girl in the water. “Did you think I would miss the chance to spend the day with the lovely Miss Natalie Crane?”<br>
Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. “Oh, you came to see Natalie? Hmm, I guess I’ve been put in my place.” He laughed. “We both have been anxiously awaiting your arrival. I told her you were coming and she was excited.” He walked over to the pool’s edge; “Natalie?” then reached down and lifted her out. “Honey, you remember Dr. Russell, don’t you? I told you she was coming today to have some fun with us.”<br>
“I remember Daddy.” Natalie frowned at him before turning a wet smile on Whitney. “ Hi. Dr. Whitney. Are you going to swim with me?”<br>
“Dr. Whitney. I like that Natalie. But I told you that you can just call me Whitney if you like. And I would love to swim with you and your father if that is okay?”<br>
“Sure it will be fun. Right Daddy?”<br>
“You’ve got that right sweetie.” Ethan walked Whitney over to the changing room always keeping one eye on Natalie and what she was doing. “I’m glad you came.” He caressed his hand down her back and leaned in and kissed her lightly. “Later I’m going to show you how much.”<br>
“I can’t wait.” She ran her hand down his naked chest. He grabbed it and placed a kiss on her fingers. She knew that things were going to come to a head with them soon maybe even tonight. It was there in his eyes and she knew it was reflected in her own. Breaking away, she went to change.
“Dr. Whitney you are funny.” Natalie laughed loudly as she and Whitney stood at the edge of the pool. Whitney had reminded her again to call her Whitney but she seemed to like to put the Dr. in front of it. They were watching Ethan tread water waiting for them to allow him to get out. Since they had pushed him into the pool as a girl tag team, it didn’t bode well for him getting out anytime soon.
Whitney glared at him in mock anger. “Serves him right! That will teach him not to contradict us right, Natalie? We say that Barney is the best. If he likes Blues Clues then that’s his problem.” Ethan swam over to the end of the pool and looked at a dark brown then a golden-brown pair of feminine eyes that were glaring at him with make-believe ire.
He didn’t stand a chance between the two of them. “That was cruel and unfair. It’s two against one and I didn’t stand a chance.”<br>
“Whoa is me!” Whitney said unsympathetically, “But we are not hearing it are we Natalie?” They stood with their arms crossed as a united front against him.
“That’s right Daddy. We’re not hearing it.” Natalie leaned against Whitney as they watched a contrite Ethan tread water in the pool.
“Just tell me this…if I get out are you going to push me back in Dr. Whitney?”<br>
“That depends?” She looked too smug for Ethan’s comfort. He gave her a look that she had no trouble interpreting. She was going to pay later.
“Okay,” he sighed heavily, “What’s the catch?”<br>
“You’ve got to say it Daddy.” Natalie gave him his answer.
“No way.” He said stubbornly.
“That's right Ethan. Say it and agree that we are right.” Whitney taunted with uncontrolled glee.
He eyes bounced between the two of them and he felt his heart swell at the feeling that they both inspired in him. In an instant he had a vision of the two of them teaming up and wrapping him around their finger and he knew that moment that he was looking at his future. As futile as he knew it would be he had to attempt to take a stand.
“No.” As far as he was concerned, this was a matter of principle, he had to protest a little before he gave them what they wanted and had a little fun.
“I guess you plan to swim all night then.” Whitney said tongue in cheek. The two of them had not moved nor had the frowns of disapproval they were beaming down on him left their faces.
“Daddy!” Natalie cried in youthful annoyance, “You’ll have to say it or you will have to swim all night. Isn’t that right Dr. Whitney?”<br>
“That’s right, sweetie.” Whitney nodded in agreement. “I suggest you listen to your daughter Ethan and go with the program.”<br>
He remained mutinous for a few more minutes then… “All right, all right.” He conceded knowing that his easy capitulation didn’t bode well for his future with these two. “But if either of you ever say that I said this I will deny it. Now you promise that when I get out there will be no more tossing me in the pool?”<br>
“Yes.” Natalie agreed.
“Depends on what you say.” Whitney added with a smirk holding in her laughter at the narrowed eyes look Ethan pined her with.
He sighed heavily ready to do what he knew he would from the beginning, and said in a monotone “You ladies are right. Barney rules and Blue Clues drool.” He swam closer to the edge. “Now can I get out of the pool?”
“Yeah! He said it!” Natalie cheered jumping up and down at their victory.
Whitney wasn’t sure she was ready to let him off the hook, and stood with her hands on her hips as he looked contritely up at them from the pool edge. “You know Ethan you didn’t sound like you meant it.” He opened his mouth to start protesting but she stopped him, “but a deal is a deal, I didn’t say you had to mean it. You followed the rules so, no more unexpected dips in the pool. Come on, out.” He held his hand out for help and trying to be a good sport, she knelt down and reached to help him out.
Later she had to wonder why she hadn’t realized that he would be out for payback so soon. Before she suspected what he was going to do, she had hit the water. When she came up on a gasp Ethan was out of the pool looking down at the water with an evil smirk and mouthed “Blue’s Clues Rule”. Natalie was looking at a sputtering Whitney with wide eyes and her hand covering her mouth to hold back her giggles.
Whitney’s still determined to be a good sport swam over to the steps and got out of the pool. Ethan to be on the safe side sent a towel over by Natalie. Whitney just shot him a look that clearly indicated that they were not even, as far as she was concerned there would be some ‘payback’. He grinned at her look; he couldn’t wait.
She smilingly thanked Natalie for the towel and walked over to were he stood still amused. He didn’t need his Ivy League education to know to move away from the pool’s edge as she comes toward him. He put a respectable distance between him and the pool but was still within her range.
“You know you are going to pay don’t you?” She muttered at him as she walked by.
“Name your price, I can handle it.” She turned back to him and narrowed her eyes but he just laughed.
“MOMMY!” Natalie screamed excitedly.
Stunned, both Ethan and Whitney turned to see an excited Natalie run to meet her mother, Gwen Hotchkiss Crane.
Back chapter can be found at: p199.ezboard.com/bthegallery
Enjoy! Trina
Disclaimer: All characters belong to James E. Reilly, Outpost Farm Productions, and NBC. They are just being subjected to some creative licensing.
When You Least Expect It
Chapter 19
Whitney parked her car and reached around and grabbed her tote bag off of the back seat. She couldn’t stop wondering if she was making a mistake by coming here. Ethan had insisted that he wanted her to spend the day with him and Natalie and today they’d planned to have some at home fun at the family pool. She hadn’t been able to join them earlier in the week and they both had been working long hours the rest of the week. He’d thought it would be a good way for them both to relax together without being out with a crowd. And Whitney wasn’t dense she knew that a big part of his motivation was because he wanted her to spend more time with Natalie and him together.
They had managed to salvage the remainder of their time together on Tuesday night after she’d gotten him to let the subject of her job and supervisor go and not let it ruin anymore of their time together. He’d been reluctant at first but before too long and a few kisses later; she was eventually able to put him in a much better mood.
He been disappointed when she’d been unable to join them on their Wednesday jaunt and then on Thursday he’d hadn’t been unable to meet her for an impromptu lunch. It was frustrating for the both of them and he’d confessed that he was having a hard time dividing his time between home, work and trying to see Whitney. She had assured him that she understood and that his time with Natalie was more important but he wanted them all to spend some time together and for Natalie to get to know Whitney and she her.
Whitney would love to get to know Ethan’s daughter better but that implied that they were moving this relationship into a more committed realm. She wasn’t sure she was ready to deal with all the ramification that came with that commitment. They were not lovers but they both knew it was only a matter of time before it happened. Whitney knew that it would be soon, very soon.
She mustered up her courage and went to the front door and rang the bell. She had been nervous thinking that she might run into the senior Cranes Ivy or Julian but without any fanfare, a maid led her out to the pool area where a laughing Ethan watched Natalie and she swam to the edge of the pool and splashed water at him.
“Hey, you made it.” He turned sparkling eyes her way and Whitney couldn’t control the happy grin that raced across her face.
“Of course.” She laughed then waved at the playful little girl in the water. “Did you think I would miss the chance to spend the day with the lovely Miss Natalie Crane?”<br>
Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. “Oh, you came to see Natalie? Hmm, I guess I’ve been put in my place.” He laughed. “We both have been anxiously awaiting your arrival. I told her you were coming and she was excited.” He walked over to the pool’s edge; “Natalie?” then reached down and lifted her out. “Honey, you remember Dr. Russell, don’t you? I told you she was coming today to have some fun with us.”<br>
“I remember Daddy.” Natalie frowned at him before turning a wet smile on Whitney. “ Hi. Dr. Whitney. Are you going to swim with me?”<br>
“Dr. Whitney. I like that Natalie. But I told you that you can just call me Whitney if you like. And I would love to swim with you and your father if that is okay?”<br>
“Sure it will be fun. Right Daddy?”<br>
“You’ve got that right sweetie.” Ethan walked Whitney over to the changing room always keeping one eye on Natalie and what she was doing. “I’m glad you came.” He caressed his hand down her back and leaned in and kissed her lightly. “Later I’m going to show you how much.”<br>
“I can’t wait.” She ran her hand down his naked chest. He grabbed it and placed a kiss on her fingers. She knew that things were going to come to a head with them soon maybe even tonight. It was there in his eyes and she knew it was reflected in her own. Breaking away, she went to change.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Dr. Whitney you are funny.” Natalie laughed loudly as she and Whitney stood at the edge of the pool. Whitney had reminded her again to call her Whitney but she seemed to like to put the Dr. in front of it. They were watching Ethan tread water waiting for them to allow him to get out. Since they had pushed him into the pool as a girl tag team, it didn’t bode well for him getting out anytime soon.
Whitney glared at him in mock anger. “Serves him right! That will teach him not to contradict us right, Natalie? We say that Barney is the best. If he likes Blues Clues then that’s his problem.” Ethan swam over to the end of the pool and looked at a dark brown then a golden-brown pair of feminine eyes that were glaring at him with make-believe ire.
He didn’t stand a chance between the two of them. “That was cruel and unfair. It’s two against one and I didn’t stand a chance.”<br>
“Whoa is me!” Whitney said unsympathetically, “But we are not hearing it are we Natalie?” They stood with their arms crossed as a united front against him.
“That’s right Daddy. We’re not hearing it.” Natalie leaned against Whitney as they watched a contrite Ethan tread water in the pool.
“Just tell me this…if I get out are you going to push me back in Dr. Whitney?”<br>
“That depends?” She looked too smug for Ethan’s comfort. He gave her a look that she had no trouble interpreting. She was going to pay later.
“Okay,” he sighed heavily, “What’s the catch?”<br>
“You’ve got to say it Daddy.” Natalie gave him his answer.
“No way.” He said stubbornly.
“That's right Ethan. Say it and agree that we are right.” Whitney taunted with uncontrolled glee.
He eyes bounced between the two of them and he felt his heart swell at the feeling that they both inspired in him. In an instant he had a vision of the two of them teaming up and wrapping him around their finger and he knew that moment that he was looking at his future. As futile as he knew it would be he had to attempt to take a stand.
“No.” As far as he was concerned, this was a matter of principle, he had to protest a little before he gave them what they wanted and had a little fun.
“I guess you plan to swim all night then.” Whitney said tongue in cheek. The two of them had not moved nor had the frowns of disapproval they were beaming down on him left their faces.
“Daddy!” Natalie cried in youthful annoyance, “You’ll have to say it or you will have to swim all night. Isn’t that right Dr. Whitney?”<br>
“That’s right, sweetie.” Whitney nodded in agreement. “I suggest you listen to your daughter Ethan and go with the program.”<br>
He remained mutinous for a few more minutes then… “All right, all right.” He conceded knowing that his easy capitulation didn’t bode well for his future with these two. “But if either of you ever say that I said this I will deny it. Now you promise that when I get out there will be no more tossing me in the pool?”<br>
“Yes.” Natalie agreed.
“Depends on what you say.” Whitney added with a smirk holding in her laughter at the narrowed eyes look Ethan pined her with.
He sighed heavily ready to do what he knew he would from the beginning, and said in a monotone “You ladies are right. Barney rules and Blue Clues drool.” He swam closer to the edge. “Now can I get out of the pool?”
“Yeah! He said it!” Natalie cheered jumping up and down at their victory.
Whitney wasn’t sure she was ready to let him off the hook, and stood with her hands on her hips as he looked contritely up at them from the pool edge. “You know Ethan you didn’t sound like you meant it.” He opened his mouth to start protesting but she stopped him, “but a deal is a deal, I didn’t say you had to mean it. You followed the rules so, no more unexpected dips in the pool. Come on, out.” He held his hand out for help and trying to be a good sport, she knelt down and reached to help him out.
Later she had to wonder why she hadn’t realized that he would be out for payback so soon. Before she suspected what he was going to do, she had hit the water. When she came up on a gasp Ethan was out of the pool looking down at the water with an evil smirk and mouthed “Blue’s Clues Rule”. Natalie was looking at a sputtering Whitney with wide eyes and her hand covering her mouth to hold back her giggles.
Whitney’s still determined to be a good sport swam over to the steps and got out of the pool. Ethan to be on the safe side sent a towel over by Natalie. Whitney just shot him a look that clearly indicated that they were not even, as far as she was concerned there would be some ‘payback’. He grinned at her look; he couldn’t wait.
She smilingly thanked Natalie for the towel and walked over to were he stood still amused. He didn’t need his Ivy League education to know to move away from the pool’s edge as she comes toward him. He put a respectable distance between him and the pool but was still within her range.
“You know you are going to pay don’t you?” She muttered at him as she walked by.
“Name your price, I can handle it.” She turned back to him and narrowed her eyes but he just laughed.
“MOMMY!” Natalie screamed excitedly.
Stunned, both Ethan and Whitney turned to see an excited Natalie run to meet her mother, Gwen Hotchkiss Crane.
