Catherine's Triumph: Catherine in Love, Book Four

Aftermath and a New Beginning-1

Chapter Four

Aftermath and a New Beginning

The phone awakened Sam as it rang in the living room. He got out of bed and went to answer it. He didn’t recognize the number and answered it with a curious, “Hello.” It was Peter. “Good morning, Sir,” he greeted him.

“Sam, are you all ok?”

“Yes, Peter, how are you?”

“To tell you the truth, Sam, I am angry and upset. Trinity told me who was behind this, and I just couldn’t believe it. It was one of our own people, Sam, someone I trusted.”

“Do I know him?” Sam asked.

“No, he is a stockholder in the firm, you have never met him. That is all I can tell you now.”

“I understand,” Sam replied, knowing that Mark would let him in on it later.

“Sam, I want you to know you saved us. We almost lost the company and would have if not for you. Thank you. You will be rewarded.”

“Just knowing you and our girls are safe is all the reward I need, Sir.”

“When can we expect you back in New York?”

“As soon as I know my wife and the mother of my firstborn children, and Diana, and Angie are over this and can carry on with their duties. Did you see my report on the demonstration project here?”

“Yes, Sam. It is a wonderful idea. We can attract capital and business right here in the U. S. It is a brilliant idea.”

“Angie and Caitlin came up with it and will oversee the project, staying here for now to get it started. Diana, of course, will run things around here under the protection of Trinity, and Catherine will provide documentation. They are going to be busy for a while.”

“I have some ideas about taking the company forward from here and will return to New York shortly. In the meantime, Trinity has more work to do, as directed by me. He has taken over all security and has brought the FBI in on the attempted kidnappings of the girls.”

“I was not aware that they all were targets,” Peter sounded surprised.

“We all were, Peter, especially you and me. Trinity took care of us all. He will continue to do so.”

“I am leaving it up to you, Sam. My faith in you and your capabilities has made me feel that maybe I can even go fishing soon.”

“Yes, sir. I will mention that to Trinity. He will see to it.”

“Thank you again, Sam,” Peter said. “It is your firm now, and I know you will do your best, my son. Tell the girls I said ‘Hi’ and give them all a hug for me. We will talk soon.”

With that, and some emotion, Peter ended the call. Sam looked at the phone and smiled. He had done his best, and with Trinity, his plan had worked. Now on to the forensic audit of the books, his next step toward success.

But first, his wife, Caitlin and Catherine, the mother of his first children, his sweet Angie, and his gorgeous Diana, were sleeping in the big bed. He went back to them and joined them in their slumbers. They all slept until noon. Sam awoke to the sensation of a tongue in his ear. It was Caitlin. He rolled over to face her and wrapped her in his arms for a good morning kiss. Catherine was on his other side as Angie and Diana held each other tight. Seeing them all together again, raised his spirits. He rolled onto his back, so Caitlin and Catherine could both kiss him. He held them in his strong arms as they took turns. The next kiss Catherine gave him, she snuggled up against him and pressed her tummy against his side. His eyes flew open, and he looked at her surprised at what he felt. He put his hand on her abdomen and felt a small, but definite baby bump. A broad smile covered his face. He sat up.

“Catherine, my love, you have a baby bump,” he exclaimed.

“You think, dear Sam?” she said to him with a laugh in her voice. “I told you they were growing fast.”

“Yeah, but I had no idea they would show this early,” he replied, “Caitlin, feel this.”

Caitlin felt Catherine’s tummy, “Yep, Catherine, you are showing, my dear. Congratulations!”

“Angie, Diana, come feel Catherine’s baby bump,” he invited them. They did.

Sam hugged Catherine and kissed her. “This makes it all real.”

The girls hugged her and held her close. Diana and Angie showed their delight. Only Caitlin was quiet.

Sam knew what was going through her mind. “I have to go to the ladies’ room. Will you excuse me?” She got out of bed and headed for the master bath, surprising even Sam. He knew it was time for the other girls to take over. He motioned for them to join Caitlin and he went into the living room. Catherine led the others after Caitlin. They found her in her usual place, sitting on the closed toilet, crying. They knelt around her and held her tenderly.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Catherine asked her tenderly.

“Catherine, I knew your pregnancy would become real, but this is such a surprise. I am happy for you and for us, but I can’t help but think I should be carrying those babies, or at least our own babies. My fear of losing him is very real. He is the father of your children, Catherine. You are his wife as much as I am.”

“Leave us alone for a few minutes, please Diana and Angie,” Catherine asked them. They honored her request and went to join Sam in the living room. They surprised him when they walked in.

Catherine suggested that she and Caitlin move to somewhere they would be more comfortable. They chose the easy chairs in the bedroom. Catherine didn’t like the separation of the chairs and moved over to the bed, beckoning Caitlin to join her. They sat together at the foot of the bed, legs crossed and facing each other.

“May I touch you again, Catherine?” Caitlin asked. Catherine took her hand and placed it where the babies were growing within her. Caitlin quickly jerked her hand away. “They moved, Catherine. I felt them move.”

“Yes, my dear, they started doing that a week ago. Can you be happy for me?”

Caitlin put her hand back on Catherine’s tummy. The babies moved again, but she didn’t pull back. She felt the miracle of life in her friend and lover. She smiled broadly.

“Catherine, that is amazing,” she said as she gazed into her eyes. “I am very happy for you.”

Catherine embraced her and asked her to promise to be their second mother. Caitlin agreed. “And no more fears about you and Sam?”

“No more fears,” she promised, “thank you for including me in this wonderful event. I love you Catherine.”

“And I love you, Caitlin, I cannot do this without you,” Catherine said as she moved to embrace her. They kissed an unavoidable kiss and rekindled their love affair.

“May I make love to you, Catherine?” Caitlin asked.

“Yes, my love, you don’t have to ask. I have missed you so much.” They realized how happy they were in each other’s arms. The babies moved again.

“Catherine, we have to share this with the others, but thanks for letting me be the first,” she kissed her lovingly. Caitlin went to the living room. “Ok, you guys, all of you come with me. Something wonderful is happening.” She led them to the bedroom where Catherine had stretched out on the bed.

“Sam, come here and give Catherine your hand.” He did so. Catherine took his hand and placed it on her baby bump.

“Oh, my God.” He exclaimed. “They’re moving. I can feel them!”

“I want to feel,” Angie moved beside Catherine. They moved for her as well.

“My turn,” Diana went next. “That is so cool. They are real, I felt them. Oh, Catherine, your babies are coming.

“Correction, dear Diana, they are our babies, they belong to all of us. Caitlin has agreed to be their second mother and help us raise them.” Caitlin gave her a hug and a kiss.

“Our babies, what a wonderful sound,” Diana said, “I want to be a mother to them, too.”

“You are not leaving me out.” Angie added. “I’m in on this with the rest of you.”

“That settles that,” Sam hugged. “They say it takes a village to raise a child, and here we are. We will all raise them together.” He put his arm around Caitlin and leaned over to kiss Catherine’s tummy.

The girls took turns hugging and kissing her, too. They shed not a few tears, but now, they were tears of joy. Sam heard the bell signaling one of the guards was paging him on the secure, encrypted voice system Trinity had had installed. He returned to the living room.

“Destiny here.”

“Station G, sir.” G was the designation for the gate at the top of the driveway.

“Go ahead, station G,” Sam responded.

“Two females, Madeline and Penelope, are asking to come visit you. Should we admit them?”

“Thank you for calling, Station G, can you describe them?

“They are both blonde, young, and very attractive. They are driving a new Camaro.”

“Please check the trunk and the underside, then admit them, and see that their car is put in an empty bay and is out of sight. They are family members.”

“Yes, sir. Right away.”

Maddie and Penny stepped off the elevator and Sam met them. “You are just in time, ladies.”

“Sam, what goes on around here. Security guards are everywhere,” Maddie asked him.

“I’ll give it to you later, but for now, come see the miracle,” he said as he led them to the back of the house. “Look who’s here, everybody,” and he let Maddie and Penny go over to the bed. Everyone hugged everyone else.

“What is this miracle, Sam?” Penny asked.

“Come over here and give me your hand, Maddie,” Catherine directed. She put Maddie’s hand on her bump and the babies moved again.

“Catherine!” Maddie exclaimed. “You are showing, and I can feel the babies move. That is amazing.”

“Now you, Penny,” Catherine invited her. Penny was not disappointed.

Maddie rejoiced with the rest of the family and Penny shed a joyful tear.

“They are growing every day,” said Catherine, “and the way they show off, they are going to be big hams when they are born.”

“You said it was a miracle, Sam, and you nailed it right on the head. It is a miracle,” Maddie hugged Catherine lovingly. “I will be here for you, to help raise them.”

“You can count on me, too,” Penny echoed.

“I knew I could, they are our babies, and they will have six mothers and a wonderful father. Caitlin will be their second mother, and you four will help us bring them up.”

Sam heard the phone ring and left them to bond and make their plans. It was Trinity calling.

“Destiny here,” he said. “What’s the news, Trinity?”

“We got them all, Destiny.

“Excellent, we must make sure your people are appropriately rewarded.”

“I have taken care of that, but I have more for you on that in a few minutes.

“What else, my friend?”

“As I said before, you got the girls out at just the right time. The bad guys planned to kidnap them all. The Bureau has them in custody on charges of attempted kidnapping, and conspiracy. We are cleaning up some loose ends, but we believe we have neutralized those threats.”

“Your people took control of the Global building, then?” Sam wanted confirmation.

“Yes, Destiny, we made quite a haul of the conspirators there. Federal prison suits them well.”

“Are you ready for your next assignment?”

“Always.” Trinity responded.

“My cursory review of the accounting and finance figures, raised my suspicions. I want you to get your forensic auditors in there to do a complete and comprehensive audit of both areas. I want to know from where the money comes, regarding active contracts versus income, and where it is going. Some of those figures did not add up to me, pardon the pun.”

“I will have the auditors in place Monday morning.”

“Excellent, Trinity, I need a preliminary report as soon as possible. I will see to your fees myself.”

“Destiny, if you are right, this whole situation might be explained,” Trinity understood completely what Sam had in mind.

“Yes, and the picture is completed with my next request.”

“One more thing, then?”

“Yes, and it’s the most important task yet, second only to ensuring my people are safe.”

“Go on.”

“I believe their first attempt to eliminate us was the airplane crash in Qatar,” Sam began. “I was supposed to be on that plane, and our former chairman was on it when they left Perth for Doha. If that crash had killed us all, and that is what I believe was their goal, they would have won.”

“Makes sense.”

“I believe it was someone other than the Iranians who shot that plane down. Due to great pilots, and much luck, most of the passengers on board survived.”

“I want to know the whole story, Trinity, and the CIA and Department of Defense are being very tight-lipped about everything. Our friend from the academy, Yitzhaks and the Israelis immediately came to mind.”

“Do you have a working theory as to how it was done?” Trinity asked.

“The missile was supposedly a SAM. I believe it was a shoulder fired weapon from a vessel of some sort, near the coast, and in Iranian waters. That is a violation of international law. Who’s to say that they would not try it again, against Israeli assets this time? Do you see what I am getting at?”

“Precisely, and your plan is brilliant. I could use you at Trinity, Sam, if you ever get tired of being a corporate mogul.”

“I will take it under advisement, my friend.”

“Do you want to know what is going on day to day, or just be apprised of the results?”

“Here’s the kicker, Trinity. You must leave me out of this completely. If word got out who was behind this, it would jeopardize my family and the entire Global operation.”

“This could be a tough nut to crack, Destiny, and expensive.”

“I understand. Consider this, though. If someone is ripping us off, how expensive are our losses at present? Find out for me, Trinity. Use whatever resources you need. What do you require now?”

“I will get back to you on that. I have to talk to some people.”

“Understand, Trinity, and thanks again.”

Trinity paused. “You will hear from me soon.” He hung up his phone, but considered the jobs at hand for a moment, and picked up the phone again. His mind churned, and he hoped his timing would be good. It was.

Sam sat back and smiled. He knew his plan well and directed those around him as to their parts. He listened for a moment, but no sounds came out of the bedroom. He went back to see what the girls were doing. He found all six of them in bed sharing their love for one another.

“Now that’s a sight to see. Eight people in the big bed,” he remarked.

“I only count six,” answered Diana as she and Angie raised their heads together.

“You forget, my dear Diana, Catherine counts for three now,” he laughed.

“You are right, my dear Sam, and when you get in here with us, we will be nine.”

They all laughed at that.

He climbed in between Caitlin and Catherine, much to their delight.

“Will you look at this, girls?” Maddie asked. “Old habits are hard to break.” They chuckled again.

“So, what’s the deal with the pool, and spa, Sam. Can we still use them?” Angie posed the question.

“Sure, we can. We can wear our suits getting in, but after that, anything goes as far as I’m concerned.

“Before we go, explain all the security, please Sam,” Maddie knew something was up.

“Ok, Maddie, I can tell you now. First, Caitlin, Catherine, Angie, and Diana, they caught them all and they are all in custody.”

“That’s a relief, Sam. I knew you would handle it,” Angie said as she reached out for him, wanting a hug, and getting it.

“Now, Maddie and Penny, we had a little trouble here and in New York, regarding ownership and control of Global and our subsidiaries. With the help of some very talented and dedicated people, we prevailed. We will always have security here, but you are welcome to come visit us. We haven’t worked out how to deal with our ‘private’ activities, but we are all safe here.”

“I tried to call, but all the old phone numbers are out of order, it seems,” Maddie said.

“Our communications have been totally redesigned for security reasons. I will give you the information you need to get through to us,” Catherine told her. She did within a few minutes.

“You guys are okay now, though, right?”

“Yes, Maddie, we are fine, although we had some touch-and-go times the last few days.”

“Now, who is ready for a dip and a soak?” Sam interrupted.

“I am,” said Caitlin. Everyone could see that their explanation had not satisfied Maddie. Thankfully, she just kept quiet.

Sam called security. “Trinity One, Destiny.”

“Go ahead Destiny.”

“Trinity One, I have six lovely young ladies who would love to take a swim and a soak. Is that possible?”

“Destiny, give me five to relocate some of my assets.”

“Ten-four, Trinity One.”

“Sir, is discretion needed on our part?”

“Trinity One, that is a definite possibility.”

“Thank you, sir. I will call you when we are ready.”

“Ten-four.”

“Get ready, girls. May I suggest bathing suits until we are in the water?”

“Sam, you are wonderful,” Caitlin hugged him around the neck and kissed him passionately. “We can return to our previous lifestyle.”

“Don’t forget, Caitlin, we are alive and free today because of him,” Catherine reminded her.

“I think we chose well,” Angie agreed.

They embraced, and Diana joined in. He got kisses from them all.

“Destiny, Trinity One.”

“Go ahead.”

“Have a great swim, all of you.”

“Ten-four, Trinity One, and thanks.”

“Sir!”

“Ok, girls,” Sam got their attention. “Dress down to the pool is swim suits, beach jackets, sandals or flip flops, sunglasses and a hat of some sort. Use your imagination. After that, all bets are off. You may take my suit off as soon as we get in the spa.”

They wasted no time and were in the pool in just a few minutes. A sense of joy and relief washed over them all, and they knew they were back to enjoying life with each other once again.