Chapter 20

Jake was thunderstruck by the baseball offer, but he still had the presence of mind not to sign anything immediately. He asked Cecil if he could hold the contract until tomorrow before giving his answer. Cecil Barrett said certainly and the two scheduled an appointment for Friday afternoon at two. Jake pumped the other man's hand while thanking him profusely. When Barrett drove off, Jake sprinted to the house to call Melissa.

Melissa was as thrilled as he was and insisted he tell Trish as well. Melissa did not even hint at her part in all this. She figured it was just another good business decision. After all, he was Jake; she would have bet the ranch that he was going to make her share of the Yankees much more valuable in the near future. Melissa made him promise to call Maria Thornton, their attorney, to go over the contract before he signed anything. Melissa laughed when he compliantly said, "Yes dear". The boy was learning.

Jake immediately called Maria and discussed the contract with her. She said to give it to Tigger when she got there and Maria would go over it and drop it back off tomorrow on the way to work. Jake said he would, they discussed the wedding for a couple of minutes, and rung off. Knowing now that Tigger was arriving, Jake straightened up the house and made the bed. Tigger coming over was sweet icing on the good-news cake he had just received.

Tigger arrived at two, looking adorable in a little pair of shorts and a tight top.

"I was in the neighborhood and just thought I'd drop by to see how you were taking your exile," she said casually.

Tigger could always crack Jake up. Her wit and snappy repartee were going to serve her well as a litigator. Jake had just about figured out the women's plan now; it was not hard to see the pattern, as Tigger was the fourth of Melissa's bridesmaids to visit him.

Tigger was gone by five that evening with the contract in her purse. She had thrown him what she considered a quickie because she had a bridal shower/bachelorette party to attend. She had gone easy on him so she would not be wiped out for the evening's festivities. Tigger would not divulge any details as to what they had planned. She said Melissa would tell him about it if she wanted him to know. Tigger did, however, let slip that they had a couple of male strippers who were going to appear dressed as cops. Jake would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the Thornton's house tonight.

Jake was resigned to a night alone since the women were whooping it up at Maria's. He should have known better; at six that night, Helga Johansson appeared on his doorstep with two shopping bags.

"I hope you are in the mood for lasagna," she said.

He certainly was. Jake ushered her in, took the bags, and brought her a drink. Helga's lasagna was the best he had ever tasted. It was a toss up as to what had him salivating more, Helga, or her lasagna. Helga was decked out in a summer frock that fit her perfectly; it was tight in the bodice and hips then flared out to an almost full skirt that ended three inches above her knees. The dress was burgundy with tan trim. The dress precisely matched her tan and burgundy heels. Helga had swept her hair back behind her ears and pinned it in place with a couple of burgundy combs. Lightly applied make-up highlighted her rosy complexion and bright blue eyes. Made up and dressed as she was, Helga looked no more than thirty.

"Helga, you could pass for Erika's sister," Jake said with the utmost sincerity.

Helga gave him a tinkling, girlish laugh.

"You always say and do just the right thing, Jacob. Melissa is a lucky woman," she said.

"I'm the lucky one. I have to be luckiest guy around just because I'm here with you. Not many guys had food delivered to them tonight by a Norse Goddess," he replied.

"Speaking of food, I better put the lasagna and bread in the oven if we plan to eat soon. You can tell me some more how good I look while it heats up."

Jake followed her into the kitchen and watched her efficiently work. Jake had enjoyed watching her cook in her own kitchen, but tonight, she was in his kitchen cooking just for him. That fact made watching her bustle around twice as nice. He stepped up behind her when she was at the sink shredding lettuce and slipped his arms around her waist. She shifted her butt backwards until it was rubbing against his rapidly inflating cock. Jake rotated his hips a little so she could feel his hardness and slid his hands up to cup both of her large breasts.

"It feels sooo good when you do that, Jacob," she gasped.

"Yes, it does," he replied earnestly.

The infrequency of their get-togethers made each time new and fresh. Helga kept working on the salads as Jake unbuttoned her dress enough to reach the tops of her breasts. He was impeding getting his supper on the table but Helga did not mind a bit. His eagerness to get at her body made Helga very happy. Jake was the master of her body, his every touch was electric, every demand he made on her was just what she wanted. Helga managed to get the food on the table despite Jake's attentions. She did not bother buttoning her dress when they sat down to eat. She liked how he liked to look at her.

"You know, I'm actually only filling in for Erika. Her plane has a broken oil line and she's stuck in North Carolina until tomorrow."

Erika was in Charlotte learning how to drive a race car. Melissa was serious about trying to have a female driver for her team. Erika was the consensus candidate; she was a natural as a pilot, plus her size and strength might give her the stamina to wrestle a no-power-steering racecar around a track for five hundred miles. Melissa was having a racecar built for her to campaign at the local short tracks. HERZ Total Fitness was going to sponsor her team. Erika planned to race at Orlando Speedworld on Friday nights and at the five-eighths mile track outside of Palmdale on Saturday night. Her natural talent and the driving schools would help, but competitive laps in a racecar would be what ultimately would make her a real driver.

Helga's admission fit in with his idea that Melissa had planned for her bridesmaids to keep him amused and out of the way. Jake was especially looking forward to literally filling in Helga since she was filling in for Erika.

"Helga, you know I love being with you. How late can you stay?" Jake asked.

"I have to pick up Sven at the airport at ten in the morning. Can I spend the night with you?" she replied.

Jake broke into a big grin and nodded his head enthusiastically.

"Goody," said Helga. "I packed a bag and bought an outfit and some toys you might like. After supper we can get them out of my car."

Once again, Jake bobbed his head in hearty agreement.

The lasagna was just as good as Jake had imagined. He knew he had a busy evening in store but could not help stuffing and filling himself. What the hell, he would just run further tomorrow. Besides, he figured he might need the high carb energy tonight since Helga was staying over and needed to be fulfilled.

Jake went to her car and fetched her overnight bag. Helga took it and disappeared into the bedroom. Ten minutes later, after Jake had quickly tidied up the kitchen, she returned wearing a floor-length gauzy black gown. Jake shook his head in wonder; it was the third night in a row that a beautiful apparition had floated out of the bedroom. Helga came over, sat at the couch, and patted her lap. Jake lay down with his head resting on her thighs. He caught a whiff of the familiar scent of arousal.

"I want to talk to you for a while, Jacob. We aren't together very often these days. I need to tell you how special you are to my family and me. I don't know how much time we'll have to spend together after tonight."

Helga idly played with his hair as she told him about Eric's self-discovery and Jake's part in it. Eric was truly bi-sexual, she said, but thankfully had found a girl at Florida State who knew, understood, and shared his feelings. Eric was deliriously happy and was bringing the girl to meet them at the wedding Saturday. Erika had turned into the most incredible young woman. She and Sven were constantly astonished as she kept reaching for more and more challenges. She and Sven were as happy now as they had been as newly weds. They understood each other and actively worked for each other's happiness. They might have an unconventional relationship, but their love was deep, mutual, and abiding.

"We owe our happiness to you, Jacob. You fixed my children and my marriage. Anything you ever want from us you can have -- unconditionally," she stated.

"All I want is for you to be happy like this, Helga; and for Sven, Eric and Erika to be happy also. I love you all; you are a part of my family."

Helga bent down and kissed his forehead, her eyes misty with tears.

"Take me to bed, Jacob, before I start blubbering all over you."

Helga surprised Jake at the intensity of her lovemaking that night. She was insatiable and kinkier than usual. She lay there tied to the bed egging him on in his dominance of her. This was what she wanted, experiences that she could not get anywhere else. This total subordination of her will to his stirred the core of her being. She climaxed loud, long, and often over the next two hours. Finally sated, she lay gasping in his arms.

"Jacob, I know you miss Liz. I don't want to intrude on her memory, but I want to do for you here what she used to do for you. It would make me happy if I could keep the place up for you and it would also give me something to do."

Jake agreed to that immediately. The bungalow was starving for a woman's touch and presence. Helga hugged him, then held him as he fell asleep.

Friday dawned another gorgeous day. Jake left Helga sleeping peacefully and went for a run. Today was his last day as a single man, he reflected, shouldn't he be nervous, have second thoughts, or feel a little sad at giving up his freedom? The answer was an immediate and resounding no. Unless his amazing Muffy did a complete turnabout, he could not imagine not being the happiest hubby on Earth. Jake missed Melissa like crazy whenever they were separated. Sure, it had been a fantastic few days, but the other women, as much as he loved them, did not give him the feeling of completeness he felt only with Melissa. He would trade a night with any woman in the world for a morning of her hogging the bathroom mirror. He shook his head, ain't love about the strangest thing.

Helga left to pick up Sven at eight-thirty. Maria arrived at ten to nine with the contract. She sat at the table having coffee with him as she explained it. Jake told her his thoughts on each clause and Maria made notes in the margin. She told Jake that the revised version would be typed up and ready for his signature by noon. When Maria stood up to go she glanced at the bedroom door. Providentially, Helga had put new linen on the bed and straightened up the house before she left.

"If I had a couple of hours, my young stallion, I would give you a very special wedding present," she said with suddenly downcast eyes.

"I think that you should give that special present to me and Melissa together one day soon," he replied as he moved closer toward her.

Maria shivered, and gave him a kiss.

"I would like that," she said as she headed out the door.

Cecil Barrett came by for the contract signing at one-forty-five. Jake took Cecil to the Thornton Building and up to Maria's office. Barrett noticed the Turner and Thornton offices and asked if he was related to the Turner partner. Barrett whistled when Jake told him he himself was the Turner partner, but it was mainly just for show. Melissa was the engineer on this train, Jake said.

"I guess you're not going to be holding out for a big bonus," Cecil deadpanned.

Jake asked Maria's secretary if they could have a minute with the boss. The secretary walked into Maria's office and closed the door. Thirty seconds later she was back out and ushered the two into Maria's spacious corner office. Maria got up and gave Jake a big hug; Cecil tried to keep his eyes from wandering over her body as she seated them. Damn, Cecil thought, she is one hot mouthpiece. Maria whipped out the revised contract and handed it to Cecil. The document was mostly as she had received it. The only major changes were a military clause that allowed for Jake's National Guard duty and a paragraph that allowed for buying out, for fifty thousand dollars per remaining year Jake's contract if he were traded. The contract otherwise was a standard four-year rookie deal.

Cecil studied the changes and said Stienbrenner would make the final decision but it looked good to Cecil Barrett. The men stood up and Maria shook hands with Cecil then hugged Jake again. Cecil swept his eyes over her one last time before they departed. Cecil decided she was getting an invitation to a game in Daytona the next couple of times the Yankee's single-A team was in town.

Barrett dropped Jake off at the bungalow with a, "Enjoy your honeymoon; we'll be in touch," and motored off.

Jake went to his office to work on the vows he would share with Muffy at their wedding. Jesus, their wedding was fewer than twenty-four hours away. Rehearsal was tonight and the ceremony was tomorrow at three in the afternoon. Jake was very happy that he was getting to see Muffy tonight, even if was in a crowd. Jake was just figuring out that Trish must have insisted on them being separated for a few days to make him and Melissa miss each other, when the phone rang.

"Hey Sport, it's Marty Sterling. How are you holding up?" she asked.

"Hey, yourself; are we rich yet?'

"We are getting there. Jake, Nina said you are on the lookout for someone who is as lucky as you. I think I found a guy who is even luckier."

Marty had his undivided attention now.

"Tell me about him."

"I was talking with a friend of mine from Wall Street who is a commodities trader for the Goldman Brothers. He told me about this amazing new young trader in Chicago. My friend may have been exaggerating, but he said the guy hasn't made a losing trade in the three years he has owned his seat. His name, Al Tremont, came up when I was telling my friend Marvin how well I did in oil. He said Tremont sold six million barrels on the day exactly before the Saudis announced they were increasing production. The street is scared to death of the guy. He is ruthless; rumor has it that he even sets up sucker deals all the time to burn copy cats who try to jump on his game. He buys futures he knows are losers and sells them for a profit to those who witlessly jump on the bandwagon through a third party."

Jake's immediate thought was that Marty had unearthed a fellow traveler. And he could be an unsavory one at that, if Marty's friend were not gilding the lily about his ruthlessness. Jake thanked Marty and told her he would see her tomorrow. Jake said he was dying to see her in a dress and wanted a dance at the reception. Marty's eloquent reply left Jake chuckling.

"Bite me, big boy," was all she said, or needed to say.

Jake promptly called Mrs. Goodman, the head researcher at Data On Time, and asked her to have someone search trade publications for anything she could find on an Al Tremont from Chicago. Mrs. Goodman, the queen of research librarians, said she would handle it herself.

Data On Time was getting near the point of actually being profitable. At Jake's request, Melissa had sprung for over two million dollars worth of computerized information storage and retrieval equipment. Jake knew the technology would become obsolete, but they needed to gain practical experience and get proficient to use the newer stuff immediately after it became available. Scott Hughes found a computer geek named Larry Smith to keep the equipment up and running. Scott's father, Darren, who was the computer systems supervisor for all Thornton and Turner businesses by now, used his NASA contacts to get DOT Com hooked into the early network of colleges and government agencies that would eventually become the internet.

The academics were quick to see the benefit of DOT Com's immense data storage capacity. Data on Time stored their files for free and did not even charge anyone to access material on file. The result of this generosity was the accumulation of vast amounts of freely- available data on every conceivable subject. This accumulating data base became Data on Times greatest source of revenue as they repackaged it for sale to their paying clients.

Jake liked the hell out of Larry Smith. He was the poster boy of geekdom but was smart and funny. Jake was trying to get him more into the mainstream ala his work on Scott and Carl McClelland but was not having any luck. Larry liked the ladies just fine; however, computers were his first love. Jake fixed him up with a couple of dates, then gave up when Larry told him Claudia was nice but the new IBM 3340 quad eight-inch hard-drives they had just bought were totally awesome.

Jake, while bull-shitting with Larry one day, mentioned the idea of sneaking a peek at some data on someone else's computer. Larry's eyes got big over that idea. Jake might not have originated hacking but he spawned this timeline's best and most celebrated example. It would eventually end up costing TnT millions of dollars in legal fees and damages compensation to keep Larry out of doing jail time. It was a small price to pay, however, because his timely clandestine snooping would help Jake save the country untold billions of dollars and countless lives.

Turner and Thornton Holdings were also funding research in storage technology. They bought a share of a small company already looking at the issue and Jake put a bug in their ear about using magnetized six inch disks made of hard plastic, and laser read/write heads. Jake wanted to leapfrog over the floppy disk and get straight to CD-ROM.

Jake looked at his watch, then hustled to the bathroom to shower and shave. He had a little over an hour to get to Palmdale Episcopal church for the wedding rehearsal. He made it with ten minutes to spare. His Muffy was standing in the vestibule when he walked through the church's massive double doors. She squealed when she saw him and launched her self at him. He hugged her in a fierce embrace as they both said at once how much they had missed the other.

The rehearsal went quickly; it was going to be a short ceremony so one walk-through was enough to get everyone up to speed. From the church, everyone went to the country club where Charles and Helen were hosting the rehearsal dinner. Charles was peacock-proud that Melissa had asked him to give her away at the wedding. He and Helen were all for this wedding; Melissa and their son were two people that belonged together.

Sven Johansson was the best man, he was as proud of his assignment as Charles was. Ray Robinson, Erik Johansson, Scott Hughes, Tiny Johnson, Ramon Diaz and Melissa's brother Chip were groomsmen. Jake had to have two tuxedos custom-tailored to fit Tiny and Erik. The bridesmaids were Trish, Erika, Louisa, Hope, Faith and Tigger. Alice Nobles and Anita Diaz were flower girls.

Jake and Melissa sat together mooning over each other throughout the meal. They took a lot of good-natured ribbing from the rest of the wedding party for the way they held hands and looked at each other. The soirée broke up about ten, and, with a last lingering kiss from Melissa, Jake headed back to the bungalow.

Jake did not receive any visitors that night because Melissa said she wanted him fresh and rested for their big day. Jake sat in his office trying to read. He could not get into Quo Vadis however, because his mind kept going back and forth among his wedding, his baseball future, and that suspicious super-lucky commodities trader. He finally hit the rack at eleven; both baseball and Mr. Tremont were going to have to wait until after his honeymoon.

The following afternoon, Jake stood in front of the altar of Palmdale Episcopal Church looking out at the over three-hundred people attending his wedding. He and Melissa had invited friends, schoolmates, soldiers from Jake's National Guard unit, and employees of their businesses. Standing next to Jake were Father Donavan from his family's church, Our Lady of Perpetual Hope, and Reverend Lindsey, the minister at this church. They were having the wedding here simply because Our Lady was not big enough to hold all the guests. Both ministers were officiating. According to Helen it was not going to cause a conflict, "Episcopalians are just closet Catholics," she said.

At exactly five minutes past three, processional music filled the church and Trish led the bridesmaids in procession. The bridesmaids were all wearing beautiful blue Halston-designed gowns. As soon as the final bridesmaid took her place, the organist struck up the traditional wedding march. Alice and Anita entered first; they were adorable in their little white dresses, conscientiously scattering rose petals as they walked. Everyone was standing and looking expectantly toward the back of the church when Melissa stepped through the door on Charles' arm.

Everyone gasped, including Jake. She was a vision, beautiful beyond description. The cream-colored dress hugged the lush contours of her body perfectly, hundreds of hand-sewn pearl beads yielded sparkling highlights. A train of satin and lace, at least eight feet long, trailed behind her. Halston, who had gotten his start as a milliner, had designed and outfitted her in a pearl and diamond tiara with a veil of lace. Melissa's hair, basically loose and flowing down her back, was intertwined with cream ribbons studded with more pearls. Melissa's wide radiant smile was obvious even through the light veil. At the foot of the alter Charles swept back the veil, kissed her cheek and put her hand in Jake's. If there had ever been a lovelier bride, in a more beautiful high-fashion dress, no one there had seen her.

Melissa gazed lovingly into Jake's eye as he squeezed her hand reassuringly. Then they turned to face Reverend Lindsey and Father Donovan. The tandem of ministers each gave a short and moving sermon about the sanctity of marriage, then paused. In the apse overlooking the rear of the church, Greg Allman and Dickie Betts stood up. Greg sang Sweet Melissa as Betts accompanied him on a twelve-string guitar. Melissa's eyes filled with tears as Greg put his soul into the song; she squeezed Jake's hand fiercely. It had cost Jake a hunk of change to get the Allman Brothers Band for this one church song and then to play at their reception. Seeing Melissa's reaction clearly made it money well spent.

When Allman finished, he sat down and Leslie took over. In a crystal-clear and perfectly pitched voice, Leslie sang, acappello, Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You. When Leslie hit the last note, there was not a dry eye in the church.

Jake and Melissa exchanged their simple vows and Reverend Lindsey pronounced them man and wife. Jake kissed his wife for the first time and tried desperately to put all the love he felt for her into it. He must have done something right as Melissa sighed and sagged against him. They turned to face their guests as Father Donavan introduced them as Mr. And Mrs. Jacob Turner for the first time. When the priest finished his introduction Melissa raised the hands they held as if in victory and exclaimed, "YES!" The church erupted into applause and cheers as Jake and Melissa walked down the aisle to the front of the church.

Their guests headed to the reception as the wedding party stayed at the church for a half hour's worth of photos. Sven had two professional camera crews film the wedding and had hired the best wedding photographer in the state to take stills. If fussy made you good, Jake figured that their wedding pictures were going to be museum quality.

In the limousine headed to the reception, Melissa stayed pressed tightly against her husband.

"This is how close I plan on being to you for the rest of my life," she said.

"You are right where I want you to be," Jake agreed.

The reception was already going full blast when the wedding party was announced. Everyone cheered and tapped their glasses with spoons when Jake and Melissa were introduced again as Mr. and Mrs. Turner. They kissed at the crowds urging, it was not a chore for either. The country club had gone all-out for the reception; they heeded Melissa's money was no object edict in spades. There were three open bars and a waiter or waitress for every table. The food was superb, the wedding cake magnificent, and the service first cabin.

After Jake and Melissa cut the cake, the real party started. The Allman Brothers played their obligatory set and were having such a good time they stayed and partied. The band the country club had hired was good enough to keep everyone on the dance floor. Jake and Melissa had their first dance as husband and wife. Then they danced with Jake's parents. Charles was teary-eyed as he led Melissa around the floor; it amazed him how much he thought of her as his daughter. Helen was a little weepy, herself; it was hard giving her son to another woman, regardless of how great Melissa was. Then Jake and Melissa did some money dances. Each had a bag with them that their partners put cash or checks in for the privilege of a dance. The wedding invitation said absolutely no gifts were to be brought and the money from the dances would go to the Elizabeth Ann Moran scholarship fund.

The revelers started thinning out at eight-thirty and were mostly gone when Jake and Melissa left at nine. Melissa sat in his lap and kissed his face over and over on the ride home. She told him how deliriously happy she was and how much she was looking forward to spending the rest of her life as his wife. Jake said that it sounded like a plan to him and that she was stuck with him forever. When they arrived at the ranch, he picked her up out of the limo, carried her across the threshold, and then down the hall to their bedroom. He deposited her on the bed as she giggled.

"Halston would have a hissy-fit if he saw you wrinkling up my dress," she said.

"He'd have a bigger one if he knew I was about to thoroughly ravish you while you still wore it," Jake replied, as he reached under the dress for her panties.

True to his word, Jake made love to her while she half-wore her wedding dress. He rucked up the yards of carefully sewn material at the bottom and pulled down the bodice. Melissa was all for what he was doing. Halston's creation had served its ceremonial purpose and it needed dry-cleaning anyway. To have her man make love to her in it was perfect; also perfect, was the time of the month, she thought, as he gushed his potent seed deep in her spasming vagina.

Jake helped her out of the dress and put it on a hanger for her. Tanya Nobles already had the detachable train and her veil and would take everything to the cleaners Monday. Jake shed the rest of his clothes but left Muffy in her stockings and garter belt. He dove face-first into her messy little muff as she squealed in delight. Melissa kept him up and awake late into the night. She insisted that he take her ass and that she finish him off in her mouth as well. She said she wanted their marriage to start with her holding nothing back.

"It'll always be this way, Baby, I promise. You'll get all of me, all of the time," she swore solemnly.

"You'll get the same from me Muffy. I am totally yours," he replied.

They lay snuggled in bed for a while when Melissa let him in on the rest of her plan for the future.

"Baby, I want us to marry Trish, also. She is a part of us too. In a few years, I think that Leslie will make it the four musketeers. I don't know how it's going to affect your political life but we'll work it out. You are going to be moving a big family into the White House one day, what with your harem and our children. Better start planning on how you are going to work it now."

"Yes dear," he replied.

He had figured that Trish was with them for the duration but the addition of Leslie was news to him. He was going to have to ask her about that tomorrow. They were going to laze around the ranch on Sunday after church, then fly out Monday morning at five in the morning. Dave and Erika were flying Melissa, Trish, Leslie, and him to Los Angeles in the long-range Learjet. From Los Angeles, they were booked first class on Pan-Am to Hawaii. Melissa had booked them a two room suite in Honolulu for ten days. They were returning on the fourteenth in time to start school on the seventeenth.

Joe J

Chapter 21