'Yak grandpa,' Lyndon's facial muscles creased distastefully. 'Don't ever drink potato juice. It is the awfulest juice ever. I was thirsty, but I could not drink it.'

'Potato juice,' Charlotte whispered to Tessa.

'Beer,' Tessa smiled.

'You drank beer?' Joseph exclaimed.

'I drank beer!' Lyndon laughed unbelievably, and Tessa thought it was the most delightful sound she had heard in the last agonizing twelve hours.

'You won't need to have it ever again my angel,' Tessa cradled Lyndon adoringly against her chest.

Lyndon relished the last spoon of chocolate cake. He licked his lips. 'Thank you momma, you know cereal is awfulest too,' He thought whilst he was on a roll, his momma just may consent to him not eating cereal ever again.

'Really now,' Tessa grinned, biting on her lower lip. 'Would you like another slice of cake?' Perhaps tomorrow he may skip his cereal, but she will refrain from making a declaration just yet.

'Yes please,' he clapped his hands delightfully.

'Darling, I'm going to take a shower,' Brad pressed his palm gently on Tessa's shoulder.

'I thought we'd have something to eat,' Tessa looked up at Brad. She had not eaten since breakfast the previous day. She knew her husband had not eaten since then either.

'I'd love a bite,' Brad smiled, 'just let me have a quick shower.'

'I'm coming with you my daddy,' Lyndon placed his half eaten cake on the settee.

'Daddy is just going to shower sweetheart. He will come down just now.'

'My daddy take me with you,' Lyndon cried hysterically.

Brad instantly lifted Lyndon into his arms. His eyes sought his wife's. She shut her eyes painfully. The trauma she had hoped would elude Lyndon was beginning to manifest. Brad exhaled painfully. He watched the tears slide down his wife's cheeks.

'Would you like to shower with daddy?' Brad asked his son.

'Yes,' Lyndon climbed more securely into Brad's embrace and tilted his head on his daddy's shoulder.

'Tessa walk with me,' Brad spoke over his shoulder to his wife.

'Excuse me please,' Tessa braved a smile for her parents, Aunt Bertha and Keri and Bentley.

'Tessa don't come down again,' her mother spoke, comprehending that Lyndon needed their attention. 'I will ask Lauretta to send a dinner tray up for you and Brad.'

Tessa turned around. 'Are you sure mummy? I don't want to leave you all.'

'We're going to get some rest,' Charlotte nodded. 'Your dad can't keep his eyes opened for much longer.'

Tessa looked at Keri and Bentley.

'I believe your butler has kindly prepared a room for me,' Keri smiled. 'I shall turn in too.'

'I shall do the same,' Bentley stood up.

'Good night then,' Tessa cast a cursory glance at everybody.

Good night grandpa. Good night everybody,' Lyndon coiled his head from his daddy's shoulder.

Tessa collected a change of clothing from Lyndon's bedroom. Brad was undressing Lyndon when she walked into her husband's bathroom.

'I'm sorry my clothes are dirty momma.'

'Don't worry about it my angel,' Tessa discarded every last item into the bin as Brad handed it to her. She lifted Lyndon into her arms as Brad undressed, keeping only his boxers on for propriety's sake. Brad tested the water and reached out for Lyndon. Tessa leaned against the counter watching her son and her husband frolicking in the water. It was the most beautiful picture in the world.

'Let me wash your hair now my daddy,' Lyndon spoke through squirts of water pounding on his little face. Brad sat on his haunches, allowing Lyndon to shampoo his hair.

'Easy son, you don't have to finish the entire bottle tonight.'

'Momma do we have more shampoo?'

'That's all we have up here,' Tessa was able to answer truthfully. There were plenty more supplies. They were just stored downstairs.

'I think you're sparkling clean now,' Brad laughed. 'Can mummy towel you and put your PJ's on.'

'Momma, I'm clean now,' Lyndon lifted his wet arms to his mummy.

'Oh you smell so lovely my angel,' Tessa lifted Lyndon up.

'I'm going to wet you momma.'

'I'm going to shower after daddy, so it's okay,' she wrapped a towel around Lyndon. Tessa lotioned his body, when she tried to put his shirt on, he wrestled with his mummy, refusing a shirt.

'My daddy doesn't wear a shirt to bed momma.'

'You kick the bedding off. You need to be warm,' Tessa spoke gently.

'I won't kick my blanket off momma,' Lyndon pleaded.

'How about I put your shirt on, but I won't button it. When you climb into bed, we will remove it,' Tessa negotiated.

'Yippee,' Lyndon threw his arms around mummy. 'Momma can I please have another teeny weenie piece of cake before I brush my teeth?'

'Lauretta has made some delicious fried chicken, try some of it?' Tessa brushed Lyndon's hair

'I'm only hungry for cake momma,' Lyndon fiddled with the buttons on his mummy's blouse.

'Just for tonight Master Blakely, I shall allow it.'

'You're the best momma.'

'I'm not falling for that flattery,' she kissed his cheek.

Lyndon giggled then looked at the shower door.
'My daddy?'

'Almost done,' Brad's voice filtered through.

'Are you going to shower now momma?'

'I will, when you and daddy are in bed.' As she spoke, Brad exited with a towel around his waist.

Tessa lifted Lyndon and walked out of the bathroom. 'Let's see if Lauretta put anything special for you in the tray.' Tessa allowed Brad to get dressed.

'There's cake momma,' Lyndon whispered.

'Lucky boy,' she placed Lyndon on the chair and served him a portion of cake. She poured some strawberry juice into a glass and handed it to Lyndon.

'Thank you momma. See my daddy does not have a shirt on.' Lyndon pointed to his daddy only in a pair of sleep shorts.

'I hope you're going to sleep quietly just like your daddy does,' Tessa handed Brad a glass of wine.

'Thank you,' Brad accepted the drink.

'Darling go ahead and have supper. I will be out in a minute.'

Brad looked at the bedside clock. It was close on four in the morning. Brad selected a piece of chicken. He bit into it, and offered Tessa a bite. Her hand closed over his wrist as she took a tiny bite.

'Darling I'm going to call the night editor at GR.'
Tessa stopped chewing, she looked at Brad. She did not want any media near her, her husband or their baby. Then again they had depended on the electronic media in their time of need. It was only fitting for GR to get the scoop, seeing they jointly owned it.

Still Tessa stalled, not answering Brad. 'You've had enough sweetheart?' Lyndon's eyes were drooping.

'Yes momma,' he smiled with his sleepy eyes. 'Let's brush you teeth,' Tessa carried him back to the bathroom. Lyndon shut his sleepy eyes the second Tessa placed him in their bed. Her baby looked so peaceful and angelic as he slept. Just like his handsome daddy, with long dark lashes that fanned his cheeks. Tessa did not want to focus on Brad's comment. She did not want her husband and baby paraded in the front pages of the media. She had suffered enough of it from the day she was born. She did not want their baby subjected to it.

'Tessa, we have to give a press conference later on today.'

Tessa exhaled deeply. 'I don't want Lyndon subjected to a circus frenzy,' she walked into her bathroom.

'We used the TV networks when we needed them,' Brad followed her. 'We could return the courtesy.' Brad watched his wife undress. He thought the public would like to know that their baby was safe again with his thankful parents. Brad was not trying to sell his newspapers or gain exposure. Hell his wife knew him better than that. He was merely trying to disseminate information to the public. That was the core function of any media house.

'You do the press conference then,' Tessa relented, opening her shower door. 'I don't want Lyndon photographed, and I categorically refuse to allow anyone to interview him,' she opened the taps, enjoying the feel of the steaming hot water pounding on her back. She and Brad had been extremely careful not to prod as yet about what happened during the twelve hours of his capture. They wanted Lyndon to speak about the ordeal, only when he initiated any talk on the matter.

Brad raised his voice so his wife could hear him. 'Tessa we have upped security measures. Lyndon now enjoys twenty hour protection. So do you and I.'

'I don't want them hovering around me,' Tessa refuted, opening her shower door, so Brad could see her threatening emerald glare. Little did she know that security detail was assigned over her already a very long time ago. Brad's intention then was to keep the prying media away, and his wife out of the media. Now he'd heightened her protection.

Brad watched the drops of steaming water tickle from her chin and fall on her breast. He'd forgotten the conversation they were having. It's been more than a good few days since he made love to his wife.

'Close the door----please,' his voice was a husky groan.

'Sorry,' Tessa smiled. 'I was done anyway,' she draped a bath towel around herself. She walked to Brad. Her arms circled his neck. Brad's arms curved around her waist. Tessa pulled his head down. Her lips caressed his in a tantalizing, erotic kiss. 'What were we talking about?' She whispered, shifting her lips against his throat.

Brad's hands slipped under her towel, 'you were telling me, I should make love to you in the balcony,' his fingers measured her sexy well shaped bottom.

Tessa laughed softly, 'did I say "balcony?"' her teeth nibbled on his chin. 'I need you ...'

'My daddy ... my daddy!'

Brad and Tessa sprinted to their bedroom. Brad lifted Lyndon and cradled him in his arms. 'I got you tiger,' Brad murmured to his son. Tessa sat down next to Brad. She brushed a lock of hair away from Lyndon's face.

'You're here my daddy?' Lyndon's tiny palm touched Brad's face, making sure it was his daddy. He was definitely having flashes from his ordeal. Tessa got up, she was seething with anger. They needed to engage the services of a trauma counsellor rather urgently she decided as she opened her closet. Tessa put a satin night shirt and a towelling robe on. She could hear Brad murmuring soothing words to Lyndon. His voice was comforting. Even she felt its tranquil effect. Then she heard her son's soft chuckle.

'Silly daddy,' Lyndon's palms were pushing Brad's head away from his stomach.

'Momma, my daddy says I have to read him a story, because he's wide awake.'

Tessa smiled, happy that her son was pacified. 'Would you like to fetch a book from your bedroom?' Tessa wanted to see if he would be brave enough to make the trek to his bedroom next door.

'Can I bring three books my daddy?' He raised five fingers into the air. Brad held the tiny wrist and lowered two fingers.

'Yep, three books,' Brad laughed. Lyndon jumped off the bed. His tiny feet ran to the door. Boldly he disappeared to his room.

'That's a good sign,' Tessa handed Brad a dinner plate, with a light meal of cold chicken pieces, wafer thin slices of smoked turkey and chunky pieces of potatoes in a creamy white sauce.

'Thank you my love,' Brad accepted his dinner plate. It was ridiculous. It was almost breakfast time. Brad got comfortable against the headboard and made place for Tessa next to him.

'I feel like I'm jetlagged,' Tessa laughed, sliding in next to Brad. 'Could we stay in bed the whole day?' Tessa murmured, stealing a kiss from Brad.

'Which book would you ...?' Lyndon stopped, seeing his mummy and daddy sharing an intimate kiss.

'His timing is always perfect,' Brad groaned. When they turned their eyes to Lyndon, he was smiling shyly, with his head lowered.

'Come on sweetheart,' Tessa patted the space on the other side of Brad.

Lyndon's smile broadened. He dived onto the bed in one big leap.

'Easy tiger,' Brad stretched out his hand to hold Tessa's plate.

'I got it darling,' Tessa kissed her husband's cheek.

'Okay what you reading for me?' Brad observed his son. He generally liked getting his daddy away from his momma, but now Lyndon looked indecisive.

'This one my daddy,' although he brought three books, he had already made his own selection. Brad admired his son's decisive ability. That was a good leadership trait he thought, grinning inwardly. Tessa peeked over at the book, and noted it was the book about a pirate's adventure.

They both laughed at Lyndon's narration as he invented his own storyline looking at the picture, on each page. Brad and Tessa were still finishing their dinner cum breakfast when Lyndon's eyes closed and the story was halted.

'Did you enjoy your story daddy?' Tessa spoke softly, a grin on her face. She gathered her plate and Brad's as Brad tucked Lyndon in.

'I'm taking this tray down,' Tessa whispered. She did not want their bedroom smelling of the remains of dinner.

'Hurry,' Brad murmured, going into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Tessa wondered if it was going to make any difference if she hurried or not. Her husband was definitely not getting lucky tonight or is it this morning. She brushed her teeth and climbed in next to Brad.

'I think tonight Lyndon must spend quality time with his grandpa,' Brad gathered his wife into his arms.

'Don't get your hopes up,' Tessa traced her tongue over Brad's throat.

'I'm seriously deprived,' Brad sighed, his mouth found his wife's. Their lips caressed. Their tongues danced in unison. Their fingers brushed against sensitive hotspots. Tessa's breathing increased rapidly. 'Darling, I want you so much,' Tessa's voice was a hushed whisper heightening Brad's own starving desire. Like the perfect anticlimax, Lyndon's one little leg came flying over Brad's chest. The bed covers were kicked off Tessa and Brad.

'Urrgh! Good night,' Tessa groaned, turning away from Brad. Tessa heard her husband's soft chuckle. He was an amazing man, so much of self control, so considerate and so very patient.

Tessa turned around again and faced Brad, 'I love you Bradley Blakely,' her eyes reflected her adoration.

'I love you, Mrs. Blakely,' Brad brushed his wife's cheek sleepily.

'Good night darling,' Tessa allowed Brad to get some much needed sleep. He hadn't responded, but his arm curved around her possessively. Tessa was spooned comfortably against Brad's chest and tried to get some sleep herself.

'Good morning,' Bentley stood up as Keri walked into the Blakely breakfast room.

'Is nobody else awake?' she whispered. 'Good morning.' It was eight in the morning. She thought everybody would be up. Bentley looked suave in an immaculate dark business suit and a white morning shirt. Did he have a wardrobe here at the Blakely residence?

'Why we whispering?' Bentley laughed, holding out a chair for Keri.

'Oh,' she smiled. 'It just seems so quiet here,' she raised her voice just a little. She looked fresh and breathtaking this morning. Her hair was in a ponytail. She was wearing an attractive dove grey long sleeved dress that emphasized all the attractive curves of her body.

'Thank you,' she slid into the chair. The British had such charming manners. 'You're dressed for business,' she noted, helping herself to coffee.

'Perhaps a good trick to learn,' Bentley smiled. 'Always keep a suitcase in your trunk. With this job you could be travelling at a moment's notice.'

'But surely the Blakely's are still resting. It was like almost four when they would have went to bed.'

'Oh, Mr. Blakely is in his study already,' Bentley supplied, spreading liberal amounts of creamy butter on an oven fresh croissant. 'He will have breakfast with Mrs. Blakely when she comes downstairs.'

Keri wondered how Bentley kept his trim, well toned physique with that unhealthy food he was devouring.

'What?' Bentley asked amused, with the croissant halfway to his mouth.

'Er ... I'm wondering how you eat that kind of rich stuff and still have such a good figure.' Bentley looked up, his eyes holdings hers.

'Sorry. I should mind my own business,' she looked away embarrassed. 'Not that I was looking at your body. What I mean is ... actually I ...?'

'Keri.'

'Yes?'

'There's the buffet. Help yourself.' He grinned, pointing to the lavish English breakfast set up on the one side of the room. The huge bay windows were opened. The morning sunshine was pouring into the room.

'Thank you,' she stood up. Bentley was pushing his plate away, helping himself to his second cup of tea. She felt stupid falling over her words that way. Not that she had any designs on Bentley. For heaven's sake she was still recovering from seeing that unfaithful frog she had thought was the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. She was not ready to get involved again, and definitely not with a co-worker. The working relationship turned sour after you were intimately involved with a colleague. She sat down again with a plate of breakfast. Even a bird would still be hungry after consuming what was on her plate.

Bentley was staring at her, the silence was deafening. How can silence be deafening?
'You say Mr. Blakely is up already?' She spoke uncomfortably.

'Yes,' Bentley delicately sipped his tea. 'He came down an hour ago. He's always an early riser. 'Another trick you will have to learn,' Bentley grinned. 'With all the different time zones GR operates in, you may find yourself on call twenty four seven.'

'I see,' Keri made a mental note to always keep a luggage bag in her trunk and not to make inflexible plans when it came to her weekends.

'There is the matter of finding you an apartment,' Bentley relished the idea of courting Keri around London.

'Oh. Mrs. Blakely informed me, you would have one or two lined up.'

Bentley could not tell her his boss, suspected she may not make it across the Atlantic. He had been instructed to hold the search until she arrived in person.

'I have a few lined up,' he spoke truthfully. Eagerly anticipating her return, he had on his private time scouted around and made a short list for Ms. Keri Packer to peruse. There was one stunning apartment very close to GR that he suspected she would appreciate. He would show her a few unattractive ones before he took her to that one.

'When you finish with breakfast we could look at one or two today,' Bentley offered.

'Don't you have to work?'

'Mr. Blakely is not a tyrant. He will allow me an hour or two.' He lowered his lashes so she could not see the mischievous glint in his eyes.

'Bentley are you done with your breakfast?' Brad came striding out of his office with some papers in his hand. Keri was surprised. Brad was also fully dressed in an expensive Italian suit. Tessa had excellent taste, Keri acknowledged silently. Bradley Blakely was certainly a very gorgeously attractive man. A little more developed than Bentley, he had very broad shoulders and the rest of his body was also very well proportioned. Bradley Blakely exuded power and authority. This morning he did not look fatigued or as if he only had three hours sleep. Keri was very happy that Tessa had found a man she loved, who worshipped her in return. Strangely of the two men, she acknowledged Bentley Grant held a certain appeal. Not that she was shopping. It was just an observation.

'Good morning Mr. Blakely,' Keri stood up.

'Sit down Keri,' Brad placed a gentle palm on her shoulder. 'Good morning, I thought you would only surface in a few hours. Not jetlagged?' Brad smiled. He noted her formal greeting. He supposed it was going to be that way now that she was an employee.

'No,' she felt comfortable again. 'Strangely, I feel well rested. You have a beautiful home Mr. Blakely.'

'Thank you Keri,' Brad was courteous. He placed his papers on the table and helped himself to some filter coffee. Keri looked at the papers, the writing looked like Sanskrit.
'Bentley, I need this translated,' Brad pointed to the documents.

'Yes sir,' Bentley finished his tea and picked up the documents. Brad's mobile buzzed. He answered it, walking back to his study.

'Is that Sanskrit?' Keri asked softly.

'Russian,' Bentley smiled, removing his own mobile to talk to a Russian translator.

'Oh,' Keri looked embarrassed. She did not want to eavesdrop. Perhaps she should not be party to confidential conversations between Mr. Blakely and his P.A. She was now officially an employee of GR, but it did not necessarily mean executive confidential communiqués were for her consumption.

'Excuse me,' Keri smiled. She thought she'd just take a walk in the garden and enjoy the welcome sunshine, a rare privilege in Britain.

Tessa had woken up and found Brad was not in bed with her. She sighed disappointedly, got up showered and put on a pair of denims and a sweater. She was contemplating whether to go down to the gym or not when she heard the frightening cry coming from their bed.

'Lyndon, mummy's here sweetheart,' She lifted him into her arms and patted his back.

'Where's my daddy?' Lyndon sobbed, wrestling in Tessa's arms.

'Daddy is downstairs. Let mummy wash your face, and change you,' Tessa kissed his temple.

'I want my daddy,' Lyndon's sobs just grew louder. Tessa tried to pacify him to no avail. Brad was probably in his study. She did not want to disturb her husband, but she was clearly not succeeding with Lyndon.

'Don't cry my angel. Let's go find daddy.'
Tessa quickly used warm water, cleaned Lyndon's face and took him downstairs in his PJ's. Lyndon was still crying nonstop, calling for his daddy. Tessa knocked on the study door and walked in. Her father was here in London. Brad could be in a meeting with him or busy with Bentley or anybody else.

'Darling I'm sorry to disturb you,' Tessa was pleased Brad was alone, except he seemed to be on a call. It was just a few hours ago that this study was like the nerve centre of a media house. It had actually resembled GR's operations room.

'My daddy,' Lyndon stretched his arms out, almost diving out of Tessa's arms.

Brad's eyes filled with immediate concern, 'Alexei, excuse me. I will get back to you shortly.' Brad cut the call and took Lyndon.

'Morning son,' Brad greeted Lyndon. 'I was waiting for you to wake up so we could have breakfast.'

'I woke up and you weren't there my daddy. You weren't there!' Lyndon accused Brad, clinging tightly to him. Tessa's concerned emerald eyes met Brad's. They were conveying a message that they urgently needed to acquire help for Lyndon.

'Morning darling,' Brad kissed Tessa.

'Good morning,' she leaned into Brad, tilting her head against his shoulder.

'I have made some calls,' Brad tone was serious. 'There is a folder on my desk my love. You may select one of those practitioners. Anyone of them can come through this afternoon.'
Tessa walked around to Brad's desk and lowered herself on his luxurious high back leather chair.

'I'm starving. We going to have some breakfast,' Brad playfully tugged at Lyndon's ears.

'Yes,' Lyndon offered a tentative smile. 'I'm starving too,' he murmured.

Tessa looked up from the folder and smiled at her baby. She went back to the folder and studied the three profiles Brad had sourced. They were all highly qualified with excellent references. There was one middle aged male and two female child psychologists. The one was rather young in her mid twenties. From her picture, she looked friendly and approachable. Tessa thought Lyndon would relate easily to her. She was close to Tessa's age, but her references were impressive. She had worked with airline passengers who had been held hostage. She had successfully counselled six children who had been amongst the hostages. The psychologist had also worked in Israel where she had counselled families and more specifically children who had survived terrorist attacks.

'I think this one will be most appropriate,' Tessa lifted her head and spoke to Brad.

'Go ahead and make the call,' Brad smiled without looking at his wife's choice. He was confident she would have chosen the same professional he thought would best help Lyndon. He had been correct as he heard his wife speak into the phone, and secure an appointment for that afternoon.

'Sir, I have that translation you requested,' Bentley knocked and walked in. There was a smaller outer office attached to Brad's study. It housed a desk, chair and all the trappings an office assistant would need.

'Oh I beg your pardon,' Bentley saw Mrs. Blakely on his boss's phone. Mr Blakely held his son in his arms. His son had his tiny palms covering his daddy's eyes.

'Morning Bentley,' Lyndon smiled cheerfully from his daddy's arms.

'Morning Lyndon, how are you this morning?' Bentley winked at Lyndon.

'Me and my daddy are going to have breakfast.'

'My daddy and I,' Tessa corrected replacing the handset.

'My daddy and I are going to have breakfast,' Lyndon repeated.

Bentley smiled, 'Lauretta has made a lovely feast just for you.'

'Did she put cereal there?' Lyndon whispered to Bentley, hoping his momma would not hear. Bentley caught Tessa shaking her head with a big grin across her face.

'No,' Bentley played along looking rather thoughtful. 'Don't think I saw any cereal there.'

'Yippee,' Lyndon bobbed up and down in his daddy's arms. 'Let's have breakfast,' he laughed enthusiastically at Brad.

'Morning Bentley,' Tessa greeted her husband's P.A.

'Good morning Mrs. Blakely. Keri is already up and about. I think I saw her slipping out into the garden.'

'Oh, why is she up so early? Surely she's still tired after the long trip and getting to bed quite late.'
Bentley raised his eyes at Tessa. She herself was up quite early. She had had a greater ordeal and should still be in bed, yet here she was in his boss's office, ready to face the new day. He wondered if she would be bold to face the media. Rumours were out that Lyndon had been rescued. All the media and major networks were hounding him for a press conference with the Blakely's. They wanted a picture of Lyndon Blakely. They wanted a few words with him. He knew his boss abhorred any media intrusion into his private life. Not many pictures leaked to the media.

Occasionally Brad Blakely authorised specific press releases with his family. This morning when Bentley had broached his boss about the media frenzy and the rumours, his boss had told him he'll make a decision after breakfast. Now as he looked at his boss. He could not tell which way he would sway. His face gave no indication whatsoever, as he smiled at his son and played with him. Brad took the translated document. He thanked Bentley and scanned through the content with a critical eye.

'Darling shall we go to breakfast?' Brad looked in Tessa's direction.

'Yes thank you,' Tessa stood up. 'Come my angel,' Tessa reached her hands out to Lyndon.

'There's no cereal momma,' Lyndon gave his mummy a triumphant smile, as he went into her arms.

'Oh!' Tessa pretended to look disappointed.

'It's okay momma. I will eat my daddy's breakfast.'

'I will just have to see if there is enough for you and your daddy,' Tessa kept a straight face.

'My daddy come,' Lyndon spoke over his shoulder. Brad was placing Bentley's document into a folder.

'Here I am,' Brad caught up with his wife and son.

'You must share your breakfast with me,' Lyndon placed his arm around Brad's neck. Tessa had to measure her steps to keep in line with Brad's shoulder.

'Grandpa good morning,' Lyndon was sliding out of his mother's arms.

'Good morning young man,' Joseph picked his grandson up.

'Good morning darling,' Charlotte kissed Lyndon.

'Morning grandma, there is no cereal. So I am eating my daddy's breakfast.'

'That's okay. Your daddy is grown up,' Joseph laughed. 'You're a growing boy, you need it.'

'You can have momma's fruit my daddy.'

'Thank you son,' Brad frowned distastefully.

Tessa walked to the buffet. She served a portion of bacon, scrambled eggs and sausages for Lyndon. She served a larger portion for Brad.

'Thank you momma,' Lyndon devoured his breakfast heartily.

Everybody tactfully avoided talking about Lyndon's ordeal at the table. Brad bragged about the bedtime story his son had narrated to him. Tessa mentioned to her mom, that she had secured an appointment with a child psychologist. Lyndon seemed happy, but the minute his daddy went to the buffet table for some toast and a helping of some savoury dishes, Lyndon jumped off his chair and followed his daddy. When Bertha joined them for breakfast, Brad got up to serve her. Again Lyndon followed his daddy, his tiny fingers clinging on tightly to his daddy's trousers.

Lyndon's insecurity rankled Tessa to no end, but she prayed over time he would overcome the trauma. At least he was not totally withdrawn and uncommunicative. That was a consolation. After breakfast Brad requested to see his wife in his study. She knew full well he wanted to resume their conversation about the press conference.

Brad took Tessa's hands into his, 'I think Lyndon is brave enough to pose for a few photographs,' Brad broached the issue carefully. 'I will just issue a statement. You don't have to take any questions, just be with me,' Brad spoke.

'So you've already made the decision,' Tessa jerked her hands out of Brad's. 'You just want to parade our child in front of those scavengers!'

'"Those scavengers,"' Brad pressed his hands on her shoulders to hold her firmly to the spot, 'helped us immeasurably when we needed to communicate with Lyndon.'

'That's good,' Tessa tried to push Brad away. 'It's time they gave some, often they just take, take, take. I don't want to put Lyndon through another ordeal.'

'You and I will be there,' Brad reminded her. 'We will protect our son. I won't allow them to sabotage the conference.' Brad pressed a finger under Tessa's chin to gain her attention. 'I will go out before you and Lyndon and set down the parameters.'

'Why are you hell bent on going through with this?' Tessa's eyes became moist. 'Is our son's well being not more important than selling newspapers. You're beginning to sound like Joseph now,' Tessa yelled.

Brad's tone became seriously grave, 'I will never compromise my family's well being to sell newspapers. There are people out there who care about what we went through.'

Tessa shut her eyes. She did not want to hear that. She wanted to protect her baby. 'They just want to see, it's ended happily,' Brad murmured. 'Do you know the amount of calls Bentley and I have fielded from well wishes and compassionate people who just want information. There have been "Save Lyndon" websites and blogs started since news got out.'

Tessa sobbed, this was just too hard for her.

'As a family we need to express our thanks,' Brad's voice was quiet, gentle. He knew his wife's pain. He knew what she had endured since the day she was born. He knew very well how she had been mercilessly hounded all her life. The last four years since his intervention, her life had become blissfully unobtrusive.

'You will stop the conference if it gets out of control,' Tessa pleaded.

'I will control it from the beginning,' Brad promised. 'It will not last more than ten minutes. I promise. That's sufficient time for them to get their "happy story."

'Okay,' Tessa yielded. 'I will do it.'

Tessa held her breath as they drove to GR's premises. Brad had consented to the press conference. He'd offered the media only an hour's notice. They were to all converge in GR's courtyard again.
It seemed such a long time ago, yet it was only less than twenty four hours ago that she and Brad had stood there and through the electronic media sent a message to their son, promising to rescue him and they had, thanks to Brad's tireless private investigative team. The limo had become stationary.

Tessa inhaled nervously. On the outside, she looked brave and confident. She had changed into a striking lime green shirtdress. She looked sensational. She brushed her hair and let is cascade loosely over her shoulders. She complimented the dress with sandy brown stiletto heels. Lyndon was looking street smart in denims, a turtleneck sweater and his favourite baseball cap. Her husband was breathtakingly handsome and well dressed in his designer suit as usual.

As promised, Brad walked out alone. He started off by asserting that his wife and son will join him shortly, but that no questions will be allowed. He stressed that media must be sensitive to their son's wellbeing as he had not fully recovered from the ordeal. Brad very briefly read a statement on the kidnapping and an edited version of how Lyndon was rescued. He did not divulge any information on his private investigative team. Scotland Yard undeservedly got all the praise. All questions on the rescue and the perpetrators were directed to Scotland Yard. As Brad was speaking he could hear his son softly calling out to him. When he finished speaking, he turned to Tessa who was waiting at the wing for Brad's signal. He could tell from her eyes she was nervous. When he smiled and extended his arm to Tessa, she put on a brave face. Tessa lowered Lyndon to the ground. He ran into his daddy's waiting arms. A second later Tessa confidently walked to her husband's side. Brad laced his fingers through Tessa's.

When Lyndon ran into Brad's arms, loud applause broke out from the photographers and journalists. Lyndon smiled happily, delighted to be in his daddy's arms. He grinned at his daddy and hugged him tightly. There was more applause. Tessa had a polite smile on display. She leaned heavily against Brad's arm. Lyndon seemed to relish all the attention. Sensing his momma's apprehension, he leaned over and kissed his momma's cheek. The picture perfect moment was snapped away and then spontaneously applauded by the media. Tessa threw her head back and laughed. Immediately Brad felt her whole body relax. He placed his arm possessively around his wife's tiny waist.

'I think they've had their ten minute now,' Tessa whispered.

'Thank you ladies and gentlemen,' Brad steered his family back into GR's offices.

- end chapter seventeen-