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From: "Night Hawk" <nighthawk2000@sympatico.ca>
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Subject: {ASSM} Kelly 26 {Night Hawk}  (FFM, ff, MF, rom)
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Date: Thu,  1 Jul 2004 04:10:06 -0400
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I realize that many of you grab a copy of this story from a
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Copyright 2004 by (the) Night Hawk

Kelly
=====

(Inspired by Mike C, based on characters in his novel: "James"
Characters and situations copyright by Mike C, 2002)

Chapter 26
__________


Laura was up early the next morning.  She hadn't slept well.
She felt something was wrong, but couldn't place it.  All she
knew was there was something bad coming.

Cara and Ami were next up, bright eyed and eager to go back to
Joanne's salon for a trim and more work on their calluses.

Cara sensed Laura's mood and asked, "What's bothering you,
Laura?"

"I don't know, Cara.  Something's wrong, I can just feel it."

"That's what Todd and I said last night," said Ami.  "It's like
there's something out of place.  We haven't figured it out yet
either."

The girls got the vitamins out and the 'go-juice.'  Laura
scrambled up a dozen eggs and fried up a slab of the turkey
bacon that Kelly liked so much.  The smell of the food wafting
through the house woke up Kelly and Todd.

"Toast, anyone?" asked Kelly.

"Uh, uh," said Ami.  "Protein for us, no carbs!"

Kelly sat down as Laura served up eggs and bacon for everyone,
while Cara sliced up four large beefsteak tomatoes.  Ami poured
the orange juice.

After eating in relative silence, Kelly asked, "Is it just me
or is everybody acting a little funny this morning?"

Todd didn't want to worry Kelly needlessly, so he said, "I
guess I'm preoccupied with the meeting with Steve later on."

Ami knew better, but understood that all they had were
feelings.  "I think Cara and I are getting psyched for the
shoot," she said.

Kelly didn't believe it for a second, but they must have their
reasons, she thought.  She'd corner Cara later and bring it up
again.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

"Goddamnit anyway.  That nigger bitch had spent the night at
the studio with her boyfriend again.  He had hoped to get inside
and take a look around being Ayres hadn't spent a night there in
the last week.  Wouldn't hurt to have more for the boss when he
arrived.  But knowing the name of the nigger lover wouldn't
score him any points.  He'd just been lucky on that one.
Following him home early one morning, he'd seen the house where
he lived with his folks.  Morons hung their name out proudly on
a shingle by the driveway.  Hadn't taken much asking to find out
who the kid was.

He still had no idea who the black cunt was.  He never saw her
leave except once when he lost her at the university.  Never
spotted her coming back out, but it was a big fuckin' place and
there was only him trying to watch all the exits.  That's how he
had found out about Payne though.  Thought it might be worth a
look through the faculty directory and saw him listed as a TA.
Shit.  Initials.  Had to ask what that meant, and that meant a
phone call to the school.  That was risky.  The boss wouldn't
like that.  Asking questions at the industrial park was
downright fuckin' dangerous.  Mostly small businesses, and they
wouldn't take to a stranger askin' questions.  He'd thought
about calling the studio, but that would have been his biggest
mistake.  One he wouldn't live to regret.  His job was to find
Ayres, not to make him jack rabbit.

It had taken him the better part of a year tracking Ayres
down.  Had followed the skimpy leads he had been given and then
paid off a bad debt to a bookie for a news reporter to find out
that Ayres had changed his name.  Followed a fool's trail half
way around the country till the boss had told him about TKO.
Seen Ayres' name on a picture of a boat couple a weeks ago, and
then the hunt turned serious.

"Fuck it.  Must be nice to sit in an office and just read
newspapers all day.  Go home at night instead of sleeping in
rental cars and cheap motels.  He finally spotted Ayres coming
out of the studio driving a Hummer, followed him to Jennsen's
place.  That was last Friday.  A call to city hall told him who
owned the property, and a check on the computers at the public
library had shown pictures of her.  Some shit assed model, but
now at least he could put a name to the titless wonder.  He had
no clue as to who the others were.  Watched them drive away
Saturday morning and had been tempted to follow them but the
traffic was too thin and he was parked in a bad spot.  He would'
a been spotted.  That wouldn't go well with the boss.

He'd waited for them to come back, but they had fucked off
someplace overnight.  Spent most of the night in the car for
nothing, then had crashed at a fleabag motel.  He figured that
if luck held, they'd be gone for a couple of days and by
lunchtime Sunday, he'd been ready to do a little inside work.
Was all set too, when a fat nigger bitch showed up.  She had a
key and went inside.  He waited for three hours before deciding
he had stayed too long in the daytime.  Try again on Monday, but
they were back Monday morning.

He'd gotten a couple of decent shots Saturday morning, had them
developed at an instant print shop where some pimple faced kid
was willing to rush the job through without any questions for
twenty bucks.

Now he was waiting again.

Ah, FUCK!  They were leaving in two separate vehicles.  No
telling which one would be back first.  Ayres and the Titless
Wonder were in one of those Jap compact cars, the nicely stacked
one took the younger poons in the Tracker.

Fuck it.  His job was to find Ayres, not baby-sit him.  As long
as he stayed out of sight and just verified that Ayres would
still be there when the boss made it down, he could relax now.
Hopefully in a few days, he'd be back in Cleveland.  But for
now, he had to stick around and wait and watch.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Laura and the girls had a laughing good time at Joanne's.  As
one of the girls worked at Ami's feet, scrubbing away more
layers of calluses, it became apparent that she was ticklish.
Cara planned to put that news to good use!

After having worn down two complete pumice stones, Joanne had
done a follow up waxing on Cara and Ami, this time doing their
underarms as well, and then had suggested that she be allowed to
adjust their haircuts before they left.  Both Cara and Ami
readily agreed and even agreed to having their eyebrows waxed.

Joanne was hoping that more TKO business would come her way.

At the girls' request, Laura took them back to the deli
downtown for another hot pastrami on freshly baked rye bread.
Lots of mustard dripped from each sandwich and the girls ate
nearly a plate full of baby dill pickles with it.  They finished
lunch with an iced French vanilla cappuccino.

Next, Laura drove the girls to the Bank of America on US
Highway 29 North where they signed the papers for their new
accounts and debit cards.  Laura had her own account at another
branch of the same bank, and knew that with the fifty branches
and all the ATMs around Charlotte, getting cash was never a
problem.  Then they headed back to the studio to meet up with
Kelly and Todd.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Kelly and Todd had spent the better part of the morning in
conference with Steve.  There was the matter of the contracts
for Vanetta and Robert to have drawn up.  Then it would be up to
them to sign at either Steve's office or with a lawyer of their
choice.  Through Steve, they transferred enough money to keep
the new non-profit entertainment company afloat for the next two
years.  Steve was impressed with Robert's self written contract
request.  He advised Todd and Kelly that they could save money
by transferring the entire amount for the new enterprise all in
one shot, allowing interest to grow on it for the two years, and
then surprised them by saying he and his partner would be the
first contributors to the project to start it on the third
year.  Steve's father was in a long-term care facility due to an
early onset of Alzheimer's disease, and so Steve knew the
frustration of seeing patients in nursing homes relegated to
television as entertainment.  When they asked about the amount
he and his partner were donating through the law firm, he
shrugged it off and said that it was a small price to pay for
doing something good.  Yes, it was tax deductible, and he and
his partner would be sure to pass the word on to their other
clients as well.

"I wish I had thought of something like this," Steve said.
"The entertainment on its own is fantastic, but having school
kids visiting the seniors.  I love it!  We'll strongly advise
our clients to donate."

They settled on a salary for Vanetta of $120,000 for the first
year with a bonus of three and a half percent of the net
profit.  Future raises would be dependent on performance.  Steve
thought the figure was a bit high, but Todd and Kelly reminded
him that Vanetta was basically running the operation now, she
had the education, and more importantly, they trusted her.

"Now the tricky part, Steve," Todd said.  "We're getting
married and we need civil contracts that will allow us to sign
for each other in the event of something happening."

"If you get married," Steve said, "you won't need any
contracts.  It'll be covered by law."

Kelly laughed.  "Todd's going to be a bigamist, Steve.  He's
marrying two of us, and that isn't legal.  We need something of
a spousal equivalent."

Steve's eyebrows shot up.  "You're marrying Kelly and who?" he
asked.

"Kelly and Laura," Todd answered.

"You are one lucky man," Steve said.  "But I think we could
still get away with it legally if you're willing to keep it
quiet.  You could marry Kelly in one country and marry Laura in
another.  Since neither can claim they didn't know about it
before hand, all they can do is ask for a divorce in the
future.  No real legal harm or risk."

"That would probably work, Steve," said Kelly, "and I do
appreciate your input, but this is going to be a true three way
wedding.  I'm marrying Laura as well, and we know how the law
stands on gay marriage."

Steve let out a low whistle.

"Shocked, Steve?"  Kelly asked with a smile.

"Maybe just a little," he said, "where are you guys planning to
get married like this?  I can't see this happening anywhere on
US soil."

Todd laughed this time.  "You're right, Steve, it won't be on
land at all.  We're getting married in international waters
where no country rules defining marriage apply."

"Are you sending out invitations?"  Steve asked.

"Why?" asked Kelly.  "Would you and Melanie come?"

"Damn right we would!" he said.

Kelly laughed and said she would consider it.  It was still
nearly two months away.

"I guess while we're here," said Todd, we might as well get a
tenant contract put together for the new apartment complex.  And
one for the management of it."

"You aren't going to use the same company you've been using?"
Steve asked.

"No," said Todd.  "They were okay for the houses we had, but
they're gone now.  We don't need anyone for the industrial
buildings or storage buildings since that all goes directly to
you or our accountant, but we want a family to live in the
complex.  Somebody that can be there 24 hours a day in case one
of the tenants needs something."

"Okay," Steve said.  "And if I know you two, you've already got
somebody in mind."

Kelly smiled.  "We do, but I think we should leave the names
off the contract so that it looks like we might offer it to
somebody else if the family we hope takes it is hesitant.  We
don't want them to think we're offering this as charity.  Lord
knows, it's going to take some real work!"

"Just give me the information and I'll send over a copy later
this afternoon," Steve said.

Kelly laid out the cost for the rental of "Muriel's Place."

"It's set up as an 80 unit building," Kelly said.  "The top
floors are all two bedroom units.  Rent on those will be $750 a
month, but that includes utilities and basic cable.  The ground
floor is single bedroom apartments except for the manager's
apartment.  The builder was a smart man.  He created a three-
bedroom luxury apartment right across from the entrance and the
common room.  The common room is big enough to hold 100 people
and has a separate kitchen and two washrooms.  I think it was
originally designed for family gatherings, and maybe the odd
wedding reception, but it will be perfect for the seniors who
want to spend time with friends to play cards or watch TV
together.  Maybe a few pot luck dinners so that they can get a
break from their own cooking.  We fully intend to have a
tenants' committee.  Rent on the single bedroom units is $700.
We have ten single bedroom apartments that have been modified
for wheel chair access and ten two bedroom apartments set up the
same way.  There are two elevators in the building, so no one
has to walk up and down the stairs."

"As to the management fees," Todd said, "we've basically agreed
to go by the rental income.  We figure the family that takes
this on can do the minor repairs and they can either delegate
the cleaning, just vacuuming the hallways, cleaning the glass
doors, and sweeping the steps, or can subcontract it.  The same
for the lawn maintenance and parking lot.  In exchange, they
will get free living quarters, all-inclusive utilities and
standard cable free plus 10% of the rental income.  That's about
$6,000 a month the way we figured it with full occupancy."

"It's a very generous amount for the work involved," said
Steve.  "The apartment for the managing family would cost close
to one thousand right off the bat.  So you want the name left
blank so that it looks like a regular management contract offer,
right?"

"You got it," said Todd.

"I wonder if these people know how generous you two really
are," said Steve.  "Okay, it's pretty straight forward.  I
should have a contract template on file that I can use and email
to you this afternoon.  Now, are there any more surprises I need
to know about?" he asked with a smile.

"Not yet," said Kelly with a laugh, "but the day's not over
either!"

Kelly and Todd took Steve out to lunch after they had confirmed
all the work they required, and then headed back to the studio.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Vanetta was still working out the final details on her proposal
for Kelly and Todd.  What had originally started off as a
challenge for Vanetta to prove she could put together a one time
modeling contract to bring Kelly out of retirement had turned
into a logistical nightmare.  Kelly would not allow herself to
be associated with any products she didn't believe in, and that
removed most of the major magazines since they wanted to sell ad
space to whichever client had the largest advertising budget.

But, she had done it.  She had convinced Fit Pregnancy
International to add eight pages to their monthly edition,
rather than displace other advertising.  The publisher and chief
editor were originally amused at her proposal, stating they sold
their pages on ad rates of $1400 per page per 10,000 copies, and
that their current guaranteed circulation was 280,000
subscribers plus 200,000 newsstand sales.  They tried to tell
her that just a single page would cost her 70,000 dollars.

Vanetta had sighed and reminded them that newsstand sales were
not guaranteed; therefore it would only cost her less than 40
thousand.

The publisher started to take Vanetta more seriously.  This
girl knew the business.  "But, Ms. Clarke, you are still talking
8 pages, which is 320 thousand dollars a month.  Surely you
don't have that kind of money on hand," said Lisa Greenwood.

"Ms. Greenwood, how much I have on hand is irrelevant.  I am
the president of TKO Inc.  My models have appeared in your
magazine dozens of times for your other advertisers.  If you
aren't interested in discussing this in realistic terms, we
should end this call now, and I will move on to my next call."

"Please accept my apologies, Ms. Clarke," Lisa Greenwood said.
"We were taken off guard by your . unique request."

Vanetta laughed.  "What you're trying to politely say is that
you thought I was out of my mind, but no apologies are
necessary.  I've been working at TKO for some time now and I
understand marketing and advertising better than most of your
regular clients because we provide the talent for them.  What I
am proposing is more of a co-op venture."

"You certainly have my attention, Ms. Clarke," said Lisa, "but
as a rule, we generally shy away from co-ops.  Though I am
interested in what you have to offer."

Vanetta spent the next hour explaining in detail the need for
eight back-to-back pages starting with the first available right
hand page.  Lisa's attention peaked the minute Vanetta told her
the project would run for 16 months, and was impressed that
Vanetta knew about the rule of eight of magazine expansion.
Even more impressed when she heard that Vanetta already had a
complete group of advertisers lined up ready to pay for their
products to be showcased by Kelly and that Todd would be the
photographer.  Yes, Lisa knew who Todd and Kelly were.  Who in
the industry didn't?

Vanetta explained that TKO would write their own copy, subject
to oversight by the magazine's editorial staff, and that
advertising pictures would be supplied in complete layouts, all
done by Todd and the various companies including one of the
largest diamond companies in the world.  Johan had been very
interested.

"So you see, Lisa," said Vanetta, "there is very little cost to
you other than page layout and editing of the progress.  Since I
brought the advertisers, I expect the sales commission to go to
our company and modeling fees as well as photographer and
writer's fees.  I think you will find us to be much less
expensive than your regular staff, and you will have no overhead."

"I must say, Vanetta, may I call you that?"  Lisa asked.

"By all means, Lisa," said Vanetta.  "If we are going to
discuss millions of dollars, we should be on a first name basis."

Lisa laughed.  "I agree 100%.  Obviously you've figured out
that adding four pages to the magazine won't affect weight by
much, and by adding pages instead of taking out a page of
advertising, the cost will be considerably less.  Especially on
a long term commitment."

"That was what I had in mind," said Vanetta.  "The upside for
you is a top drawer model willing to be photographed right
through her pregnancy and the first eight months after.
According to my calculations, we are talking five million, one
hundred and twenty thousand dollars, which would be a tidy sum
for your magazine on its own, but I am bringing in clients who
have never advertised with you before, and if handled right,
they could stay with you after the project is complete."

"And," said Lisa, "as a running documentary style story, we
might increase readership and subscriptions as well."

"I might even go so far as to suggest that you take the entire
project after completion and print it as a separate bonus for
new subscribers," Vanetta said.

"Now that's an interesting idea.  Normally we couldn't afford a
model of Kelly's standing.  There aren't that many top models or
celebrities who would consider being showcased in our magazine.
Contrary to TV news, there aren't that many pregnant, and those
willing to be photographed want top dollar."

"I know what you mean, Lisa," said Vanetta.  "A few magazines
offered well over a million dollars for a chance at this, but
Kelly refuses to have any product associated with her that she
does not personally use.  She is very adamant about this which
reinforces the product value."

"And aside from printing the extra pages and copy editing, what
is it you would like for us to do?"  Lisa asked.

Vanetta laughed.  "Why, the fun stuff of course, Lisa.  We know
the ad clients are more than capable and willing to pay, but the
advertising contracts should be handled through your office
along with the billing etcetera.  I will draw up a contract for
all those who want a part of this, and forward it to you with
the advertisers.  And you will pay TKO on a monthly basis for 16
months."

"And you already know how much you want as your percentage, I
assume?"

"But of course," said Vanetta.  "I did my homework very
carefully," she added with a laugh.  "Your sales reps earn 30%
of all ad revenue.  Your editorial staff earns an average of
eighty cents a word for articles under 1,000 words.  There are
bonuses for bringing in new clients and more bonuses for
yearlong contracts.  Based on the benefits for your magazine,
and the work we will provide in the way of services plus the
model, I think that 40% would be a reasonable and equitable sum,
don't you agree, Lisa?"

It was Lisa's turn to laugh.  "And how much will your
advertisers pay?"

"Full rate based on my word of 300,000 circulation.  I
convinced them you would easily sell that many more
subscriptions in the first month Kelly appears," Vanetta said.

"Based on the photographs you emailed me, and, with the
understanding we can use Kelly for at least four covers starting
with the first month," Lisa said, "I would agree with you.  Will
we be able to use one of these for our first edition?"

"That's why I sent the ones I did," laughed Vanetta.  "As a
magazine for expectant mothers, you have a bit more leeway with
the implied nudity issue.  Nothing is showing that shouldn't be,
and we believe a woman should celebrate her body during
pregnancy."

"I must say, Vanetta.  Some of these companies . we've tried
for years to get their business.  I hope sales for all of them
increase because of this project so we can convince them to stay
afterwards.  Especially the vitamin company," said Lisa.

"I'm quite certain that sales will increase, Lisa.  Kelly is
positively glowing, and these are not high priced products.  All
your readers will be able to afford the same."

"So," said Lisa, "I'm doing my own calculations right now.  At
full rate, for eight pages, it will generate three hundred and
thirty-six thousand a month in ad revenue.  That means every
month I will be writing a check to TKO for one hundred and
thirty-four thousand four hundred.  Two million one hundred and
fifty thousand, and four hundred dollars over the course of the
next 16 months.  Is that the figure you came up with Vanetta?"

"That's what my calculator reads as well," said Vanetta, "so,
when would you like to sign the paperwork, Lisa?  I can have our
company lawyer draw it up and send it to you."

Lisa knew she was getting a hell of a deal on her end, and
thanked God that Vanetta had contacted her first.  Kelly's
insistence on only being sponsored by products she herself used
might have caused some flack for Cosmo or Vanity Fair, and Lisa
could see where the major housekeeping magazines would chafe at
the bit being told they couldn't insert their own ads, much the
same way parenting magazines would quibble.  But for Fit
Pregnancy, an additional eight pages with fresh ads would really
help their circulation.  Lisa was really impressed with the way
Vanetta had planned out all the details right to an unheard of
ad content of less than 40%, all of it including pictures of
Kelly using the products.  To have snared Todd Ayres as the
photographer was an added bonus and Vanetta's idea of combining
the resulting 128 pages into a bonus magazine for new
subscribers was fantastic.

"Vanetta," said Lisa after a short silence, "why don't you
bring all the paperwork yourself to our office.  We can make a
day of it, go out for the evening and let our legal beagles
check to see that all the Is are dotted and the Ts crossed."

Hmmm ...  A flight out to California.  "I could get used to
this," thought Vanetta.

"I'm afraid I'm booked solid for the rest of the week," said
Vanetta, "next week is pretty busy as well, but . how about I
fly out on Sunday?  Then you can buy me lunch and I can fly out
Tuesday.  I'm sure the office can get along without me for a day
and a half."

"Excellent," said Lisa, who was anxious to meet this powerful
woman who could put together such an irresistible package deal.
"Email me the time your plane arrives and I will have you picked
up at the airport."

"Thanks, Lisa.  I'll do that," said Vanetta.  "I look forward
to meeting you in person."  After she hung the phone, Vanetta
thought, "IF I can just get Kelly to accept the proposal now!"

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

After lunch, everyone trickled back into the studio where
Vanetta was muttering as she crunched some final numbers and
added the figures to the document on her computer.

"She's really taking this all very seriously, isn't she?" said
Kelly.

"I have no doubt of that," said Todd.  "How about it, Vanetta?
Got something for Kelly to see yet?"

"Just ten more minutes, then I want both of you and your
undivided attention!"

"Yes, Boss," said Todd with a laugh.

While Cara and Ami discussed their morning's adventure courtesy
of Laura, Kelly sat back with an ice-cold bottle of mineral
water, and lit her first cigarette of the day.

"Sounds like the three of you had a good time," said Kelly.

"It was great," said Cara.  "We signed the papers for our bank
accounts, then we saw the money you guys put in there to start
us off.  Thank you for that," she said blushing.

"Well that means we can start transferring all your earnings
into the account now," said Kelly.  "Did you get debit cards?
It's so much better than cash."

"Yes, we did," said Ami.  "But Cara's not telling you the
really interesting news," she said with a smirk.

"What's the really interesting news?"  Kelly asked.

"At Joanne's, Cara got her nipple pierced!" said Ami.

A second of shocked silence was immediately followed by an
indignant, "I did NOT!"

"Did too!"

"Did NOT!"

"Did too!"

"Did NOT!"

"Prove it!"

Without a second's hesitation, Cara pulled up her T-shirt and
bra in one motion showing everybody she had not had her nipple
pierced.  Then as she realized she had been had, she lowered her
bra and T-shirt, blushing as everyone laughed.

"Gotcha!" said Ami.

"Yeah, well next time, we'll see who gets who!" said Cara.

"Todd," said Vanetta as she entered the kitchenette.  "Mom said
somebody was looking for you but didn't want to be seen.  She
called while you guys were out.  I don't understand it, but you
know Mom."

"That explains it," said Todd to Ami.

"It's not a good thing," said Laura.  "I don't know what it is,
but I get a really bad feeling about this."

"A gray Buick," said Todd.  "That's what was wrong with the
picture yesterday, Ami.  I saw it when I was van shopping with
Rob.  I think I saw it near Kelly's one night."

"I saw it across the road yesterday," said Ami.  "I didn't
think anything of it, I mean, it's just another old car to me,
but it caught my attention because it had really dark tinted
windows."

"That's the one," said Todd.

"Laura," said Kelly.  "Should we be worried?"

"I'm not sure," said Laura.  "I don't think it's a physical
danger, but it disturbed my sleep last night and woke me up
early this morning.  It's something bad, and it's coming soon."

"Well, let's just all keep our eyes open," said Todd.  "Maybe
we can figure out who or what it is.  Forewarned is forearmed."

"Right," said Kelly.  "We'll deal with it when it arrives.
Now, Vanetta, do you want our undivided attention now?"

"Yes," said Vanetta.  "If you two can pry yourselves away for a
minute, I have some documents I need you to approve."

"My, but she's getting positively bossy, isn't she, Darling?"
said Kelly as she and Todd followed Vanetta back to the office
area.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

"Okay," said Vanetta as she handed them both a three-page
document.  "I know you said I could give this a try, and if you
didn't have to endorse any products you would consider modeling
again for the baby," she said.  "At first, I thought it was a
hopeless cause because I was thinking only of one magazine, but
the really big name magazines just wanted pictures of you to put
next to advertising and Kelly, I knew that you wouldn't go for
that.  So . I came up with a different approach and I have what
I think is the best deal I could ever put together for both of
you."

"Both of us?"  Todd asked.

"Yes, Todd, both of you," Vanetta said.

"I've worked it all out on a 16 month schedule, which means
that you never need to leave the studio and you only need to
pose for Todd once a month.  In exchange for that, and your
willingness to show your happy pregnant body as it is now, and
to the point where you are all toned up again, along with
pictures of you and the baby, this is what I put together."

"Fit Pregnancy International will pay just over two million
dollars.  This is for the model, the photographer, and the
writer of your progress.  I think you said you wanted Laura to
do that.  The vitamin company that makes most of your capsules
will pay one hundred and fifty thousand for the right to use the
magazine pictures as posters in health food stores, plus they
will supply you with all the vitamins you can use for the 16
months.  The prune juice people will not only supply you with
enough juice to drown all of Charlotte, but for a picture of you
holding a glass of prune juice, based on the magazine spread and
your endorsement of prune juice, will pay seventy five
thousand.  I have a similar offer from the company that makes
the milled flax seed, but that one is just for fifty thousand."

Kelly's eyes grew a bit wider.  Vanetta had her full attention
now.

"Evian wasn't interested, but the company that makes the
mineral water you do drink sure was, and they offered a two year
supply for your household, and another fifty thousand.  All of
these companies are also paying for ads in Fit," Vanetta added.
"The extra money is just for the right to promote your good
health in publicity posters."

"That is a whole lot more than I expected," said Kelly.

"Well," said Vanetta, "I will need an answer soon because I
will need Steve to write up some contracts, so I can fly to San
Francisco on Sunday."

"But other than taking the pictures," said Todd, "what does
this have to do with me?"

"Ah, did I say I was finished?" asked Vanetta with a smile.
"The Journal of Modern Photography has offered two hundred
thousand for a nine month photo journal of 'the pregnant nude'.
No blatant nude shots since they like to keep things artistic,
but a hint of cheek.  No nips and no pubes.  In this case, they
want the photographer.  Following on that line, and knowing
Kelly is comfortable with nudity, I contacted Health Natural
magazine in Europe, and they want a similar style photo journal
but this time showing all skin.  Their circulation is over half
a million nudists in five languages.  They're offering free
lifetime memberships for the three of you, to all of their
European clubs and two hundred thousand Euros.  I had to tell
them that it was three or none.  I could have easily gotten you
more exposure in the gay advocacy magazines, but considering the
unusual marriage relationship you plan to have, I thought it
best to stay under the political radar.  There are a couple of
other small perks and companies that are paying extra fees, but
aside from the free merchandise I've mentioned, Hasselblad is
ready to send you a brand new H series 645 camera complete with
lens.  It's their latest and greatest new medium format camera,
Todd.  Now all I need from the two of you is a yes."

Kelly fanned herself with the papers.  Todd was just truly
amazed.  Faced with the restrictions Kelly had placed on
Vanetta, she had managed to put together a deal worth close to
three million dollars for what basically amounted to one day of
shooting a month.

"I'll give you two some time to think this over," said Vanetta,
"but I would like an answer this afternoon so I can book my
flight."

Vanetta got up and walked back to the kitchenette to join
Laura, Cara, and Ami.  She felt she deserved a coffee break!

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

"Fuck!" said Kelly

"Now?" asked Todd.

"No, not now, I meant ." she stopped when she saw him smiling.

"I'm not sure what we've created," said Kelly, "but I sure am
glad she works for us!"

"We can't turn this down, Kelly," said Todd.  "Aside from the
fact that it is a heap of money, Vanetta wanted this chance to
prove herself, and I would say she did a wonderful job!"

"I know," said Kelly, "and I feel like she should get more than
the standard 5% commission on this.  She's more than earned it,
but that's what we pay to the company reps who bring in new
clients.  God, this is confusing."

"Not really, Kelly.  Acting on behalf of the company, she is
renting out your body for a series of photo shoots.  She just
took it a step further by renting us out as a team, and also a
solo for me.  Let's try to break this down into tangible numbers."

Kelly sighed and lit another cigarette.

"In any case, the company would get at least 30% of the deal.
That's how we work it with all models we send out on shoots,"
said Todd.  "You'll be working and even at a conservative fee of
five thousand per hour," he paused to turn on Vanetta's
calculator.  Sixteen days at five hours per day comes to four
hundred thousand.  There's not a chance in hell that you would
work for less than that for anybody, me included.  Since there's
no travel required doesn't mean you shouldn't count the extra
hours you would spend otherwise.  It's not 16 days in a row
either, so don't short change yourself, Sweetheart."

"Our accountant is going to love me this year," Kelly said.
"Okay, I see your point, Todd, and I'll take five if you do the
same."

"Jesus, Kelly.  I can't do that.  I've never charged that much
for eighty hours of work."

"But you'll have darkroom time on top of the shooting time,
Honey," she said.  "If you don't take the same, we'll disappoint
Vanetta, because I won't do it if you don't take the same.  It
was your art that sold the idea."

Todd pulled a cigarette out of Kelly's pack, lit it, and slowly
exhaled, watching a stream of smoke head for the overhead air
vent.  "The advantage is," he said, "we can probably put forth a
really good case for Cara and Ami to stay in Charlotte.  Offer
them fifty grand each to stick it through to the end of the
project.  I think that will help convince their parents."

"And we need to pay Laura so she can help keep together what
she brought together in the first place," Kelly said with a laugh.

"A hundred?"  Todd asked.

"That's what I was thinking as well," said Kelly.  "This
wouldn't be happening if not for her showing us we could love
each other and still be friends."

"And she still has her own career growing," said Todd.

"I think we should give Vanetta two fifty as a bonus for
putting it all together," said Kelly finally.

"Say three and we can settle this right now," said Todd
stubbing out his cigarette.  "That's 10% and I think she
deserves that much.  That still leaves five for expenses and
what we don't use, we'll turn back into the company."

Kelly laughed.  "Deal," she said.  "You know I don't do math
well under pressure.  I was just thinking of a fair figure, and
didn't think of a percentage."

"Let's start off by telling Vanetta the news and about her
bonus, then she can go to Steve's and sign her own contract at
the same time for taking over as president of the company," said
Todd.

"Robert should go to see Steve as well and get his contract
signed," said Kelly.  "But unless you want to dip into our
company funds, we can't pay bonuses or commissions in one shot
now because the way I understood Vanetta, this will all be paid
over the next year and four months."

"Want to pay it quarterly?" asked Todd.

"Probably the best thing," said Kelly.  "We don't need it, so
we'll just take half of ours before the end of the year so that
we don't end up paying taxes on the entire amount in one shot.
Pay Vanetta, and Cara, and Ami, and Laura 25% as soon as Vanetta
has the big contract signed, and then another 25% every four
months."

"I think we should just quietly deposit Laura's share into her
bank account, and we'll tell Cara and Ami about the job offers
so they can call home before we head out of here.  In case you
forgot, it's Wednesday night and we have company coming for
supper!"

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Vanetta protested of course, but Kelly and Todd used the same
argument on her.  If she didn't take what she earned, then Todd
and Kelly wouldn't do the project.  With a big hug and kiss she
relented, then learned what her salary and bonuses would be.
She could hardly keep the smile from her face as she rang Robert
to pick her up, and ten minutes later they were on their way to
Steve's office.

Ami was the first one to call home and explained to her parents
that she had been offered a part time job as an apprentice to
Todd Ayres, one of the world's best-known photographers.  Her
parents were equally concerned about her schooling as they were
about her being gone from home for months at a time.  When they
were told TKO was supplying her and Cara with a private
certified high school teacher, and that she would be accepted
into the University of North Carolina when she completed her
final high school credits, they were happy for her.  They had
seen the picture of the wheel, as it was a major issue in their
hometown being so many local people had been involved in making
the wheel a reality, but previously they hadn't paid attention
to the photo credits.

Ami told them to take a close look at the picture again, and
waited until she heard her mother squeal with delight.  Her
father asked if this apprenticeship would be a paying position,
and after telling him that she had made over two thousand on
those pictures, her father was duly impressed.  Receiving her
parents' blessings, Ami passed the phone on to Kelly.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips," Kelly said.

After listening to their questions, and confirming that, yes,
there had been a bona fide high school teacher hired to help Ami
finish off her high school credits and prepare her for
university, the question about lodgings came up.

Kelly explained that since both Ami and Cara were comfortable
living with her, until such time that they decided to move to a
place on campus, they were more than welcome to stay living at
her house.  As to Ami's finances, Kelly reminded them that
besides the money she received for pictures she took and sold,
she was also still receiving a check for five thousand for
modeling the CrossTrain uniforms, but that as Todd's apprentice,
she would also be earning a monthly income of one thousand
dollars, plus bonuses for special projects.

Ami's parents were pleased to hear their daughter had found
something to focus on now that her gymnastic dreams had ended
and thanked Kelly for giving their daughter the opportunities to
learn and grow.

"It's my pleasure," said Kelly.  "Ami is a bright girl and my
partner expects that with her natural talent and his mentoring,
she will be one of the top earning photographers by the time she
finishes university."

The call to Cara's parents went much along the same lines
except that much to Cara's surprise, Kelly told her parents that
she would be working at the TKO studios as an executive
assistant to the new president of the company.  The living
situation and the base salary would be the same, as was the
original agreement for them posing for the CrossTrain ads.

The Andersons were easy to convince.  They had been worried
about how their daughter would handle the end of her gymnastics
career and were happy to hear the lift in Cara's voice and her
excitement.

After getting off the phone, both Ami and Cara jumped Kelly.

"Thank you, thank you!!!" they both exclaimed.

"You won't regret this, Kelly," said Cara.  "We'll behave and
won't give you a reason for sending us packing."

Kelly smiled a sad smile at Cara.  "Honey, I wouldn't send you
packing.  You're a lovely girl and you have so much ahead of
you.  I told your parents that you would be Vanetta's exec, and
you will help in the office, but your real job is to keep me in
shape.  I'll need you to keep me going when I want to quit or
when I slack off.  Part of the deal that Vanetta put together
means after I have my baby, I have to be back in this shape in
half a year.  We don't want to airbrush any pictures, so I'll
need you to keep me well oiled so I can avoid as many stretch
marks as possible.  Since this will be a photographic record and
journal, if you can manage to keep me in physical shape and
reduce those marks, you will be in such demand after the birth
that you will be in high demand as a physiotherapist at that
club I told you about, and the money you will make.  It will see
you well past university and allow you to make the contacts that
will get you on any sports team you want, if that's still what
you want at that point."

"I'm not sure, Kelly, but I do know that I want to stay with
Ami," she said.

"Yeah," said Ami.  "I think that's the most important part for
us right now, Kelly.  Don't get me wrong, I love the photography
and I love the fact that we'll be able to live with you guys for
I hope a long time, but I love Cara, and I couldn't give that
up.  We couldn't go back to the way things were before."

Todd stepped up putting his arms over Ami and Cara's shoulders,
giving them both an affectionate hug.  "Would you believe that
it wasn't too long ago that Kelly lived in her house all alone?
Now she's surrounded by love."

"Nobody ever questions the setup?"  Ami asked.  "I noticed that
Gloria didn't even bat an eyelash, and Vanetta just seems to
think it's all natural."

Laura, who had sat quietly through the phone calls, said, "It's
because those who recognize true love never question it, and
those who don't, they just don't see it.  You watch tonight when
my sisters and parents come over.  Nobody will ask where we all
sleep or how.  We give off an aura."

"I hope not," said Cara.  "I've already had two showers today!"

"Not odor!" said Laura, and was about to say more when she
noticed everybody starting to chuckle.

"Gotcha," said Cara.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

Vanetta and Robert came back just as a special delivery Fed-Ex
truck pulled into the parking lot.  Vanetta offered to sign for
the package but the driver and his assistant said two signatures
were required, and proof of identification.  That's when Vanetta
realized this was not a standard Fed-Ex truck.  The driver and
his assistant were both armed.  Instantly she knew what the
package was.

Inside, after showing proof of who he was, Todd's signature was
accepted and Vanetta, who already had her photo ID out as well
as her studio ID, was allowed as the second signature.  Kelly
and the girls just looked on with curiosity.

You could hear the breathing from everyone as Todd gently laid
the parcel on his desk, and with an X-acto knife started to
slowly cut through the outer layers of tear proof tape.  The box
was about a foot long and six inches square.  Discreetly in the
corner was the name of the sender.  Only Todd and Vanetta had
seen that information, but the label, "To: Todd Ayres,
Confidential" had been clearly seen by everyone.

"You getting film delivered by armored car these days, Todd?"
asked Kelly, though the shakiness in her voice could not be
disguised.

"Only stuff I order for my Star Trek collection," he said with
a grin.

Vanetta drew Robert off to the side by her desk so they could
clearly see what Vanetta knew would be coming next.  Ami had
seen them move and discreetly tugged on Cara's arm, moving them
back closer to Vanetta.

Kelly, who had been sitting was growing curious, as was Laura
who was perched on the desk beside her.

Todd was taking his sweet time opening the package.  Once the
tear proof tape was removed, the package appeared to be wrapped
in shiny plastic bag that had been folded over the box.  Todd
sliced the bag and removed a wooden hinged box from the
wrappings.  With a flourish he swept the debris off his desk on
to the floor and examined the teak box, playing with the latch
at the front until finally Kelly said, "Well?  Are you going to
open it or what?"

Todd smiled and opened the box.  With both his hands he reached
into the box and brought out two 3-inch heart shaped red satin
covered jewelry boxes.  Kelly's hand shot to her mouth.  Laura
gasped.

On the top of each of the heart shaped boxes, there was an
initial in gold leaf, one an L, the other a K.  With the boxes
in his hand, Todd stood up and walked around his own desk till
he was directly in front of Kelly and Laura and then dropped to
his knees.

"Kelly, Laura, would you honor me, by becoming my wives?"  With
his thumbs he flipped open the boxes and presented them to his
lovers.

Kelly's eyes welled up with tears of joy as she accepted the
box from Todd.  Laura started crying, her hand trembling as she
reached for the heart shaped diamond in the box.

"And the answer is?" prompted Vanetta.

"Yes," said Kelly, "I will be your wife."  Todd slipped the
ring on her finger and waited for Laura.

"Oh, my god, YES!" she shouted, the tears still running down
her face.  Todd slipped the ring on her finger.  Then he stood
and kissed both his fianc�es.

Vanetta, Robert, Cara, and Ami applauded then went to offer
their congratulations.  Hugs were exchanged all around and Kelly
and Laura couldn't stop looking at the rings.

"This is so beautiful," Kelly said.  "I've never seen anything
like it."

"That's because Todd designed it," said Vanetta.

"You did, Honey?"  Laura asked.

"Just the basic design, Sweetheart.  Johan made it work."  From
the box Todd took two more boxes also with gold foil initials on
top.  "These are the wedding bands that go with the rings," he
said showing them to the girls.  "One on each side and it will
line up into three hearts."

"Oh, god, that is so beautiful," said Laura.

"And you knew about this," said Kelly to Vanetta.

Vanetta just shrugged.  "I saw the design when it was complete
and I sort of helped out with these two," she said pointing to
Ami and Cara, "in the plan that would get the perfect sizes for
you."

"You mean that day at the mall when you were talking about
promise rings?  That was just a diversion for this?"  Kelly asked.

"I'm afraid so," said Todd, "but," he opened his desk drawer
and pulled out the package that had been lying there so
nonchalantly for the better part of the month, "I did buy these
for you that night," and he presented Kelly and Laura with the
half carat diamond earrings.

Both Kelly and Laura changed their earrings on the spot,
giggling like schoolgirls who had just won the prom queen title.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

They were running a little bit late, but Kelly and Laura needed
some time to settle down after the surprise and shock of the
rings and the added bonus of the earrings.  Laura said she was
never going to take off her ring, and Kelly echoed those
sentiments.  Todd reminded them they would have to take them off
once, when they officially got married.

While they were waiting, an email alert buzzed on Vanetta's
machine and the management contract for "Muriel's Place" came
through.  Todd asked her to print it and drop it in an envelope
so he could take it with him for the evening.

Robert and Vanetta confirmed they had signed their respective
contracts at Steve's and Vanetta had spent the time with Steve
laying out the contract she would need to take with her to
California on Sunday.

Robert said he was very happy and thanked Todd and Kelly for
the opportunity.

"I gave my notice at work today," Robert said, "and they said I
might as well leave now."

"That wasn't very nice," said Kelly.

"I think maybe they thought I might mess up their books before
I left, though that only tells me they never paid much attention
to my character," he replied.

"Well," said Todd, "Then I guess you can start as soon as you
want."

"The van is going to be ready on Monday, so I guess I'll start
the same day," said Robert.  "But in the meantime, I wouldn't
mind sticking around and getting used to things.  If you and
Kelly don't mind."

Kelly smiled.  "Feel free, Robert.  Get the feel of the place."

"Yeah," said Todd.  "Might as well order yourself a desk and
chair and a computer.  Vanetta will tell you who our supplier
is.  And get yourself a company cell phone as well."

Robert just gulped.  At his other job, it had been a fight just
to get a box of pencils!  "I'll be sure to get just what I need
and try to get it at sale prices," he said.

"That's just plain silly," said Kelly.  "Don't nickel and dime
this job, Robert.  Get what you want, what you'll be comfortable
with, and buy quality.  Junk won't last past the warranty."

"Kelly's right," said Todd.  "Get the best.  That's what we do,
and we would expect you to do the same."

"Wow," said Robert.  "This is such a change."

"Get used to it Rob," said Todd.  "We expect your best effort,
so we can't very well expect you to give it with second rate
equipment."

"Honey," Kelly said.  "You see the time?  If we don't leave,
Laura's family will be waiting outside for us."

"Got to go, guys," Todd said getting up.  "The boss has spoken."

"I'm going to drive my own car back," said Laura.  "I'm going
to give it to Kat tonight."

"Okay, Sweetheart," Kelly said.  "You want to take the girls
home?  I want to stop at the butcher's and pick up a stack of
thick steaks."

"Sure, no problem," said Laura and she and Cara and Ami went
out the back door to where she had parked her Accord.

Kelly and Todd got into the Tracker out front and started out.
Kelly turned the air conditioner on, as it was hot outside.
Todd turned left so he could hook on to the Hutchison McDonald
road towards the butcher's, instead of turning right the way
that they usually did.  He didn't notice the gray Buick pull out
a few minutes later, making a U turn to follow them.  Todd and
Kelly were too deep in their discussion of the management deal
to be watching.

"Look!" shouted Ami as they pulled out from behind the studio.
"There's that car again, and it's following Todd and Kelly!"

Laura turned casually to the right and opened her cell phone
and hit the rapid dial for Kelly's cell.  "You've got company,"
she said.

To be continued.

__________________________


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