198:19

She dropped the phone on the floor and gazed into the closet for ideas. Danny and Megan chose that moment to come running through, under her arms and around her back. She ignored them and retrieved a beige tank with embroidery on the top around the neck line, and a brown business suit jacket, tried it on, threw it on the floor, pulled out a beige suit. Threw it on the floor. Tried on a dark green suit jacket, tried a tan sweater, a white t-shirt jacket... in the back, a silk embroidered blouse, an over blouse, she'd never worn it, just thought it was pretty. 

She put it on over the beige tank-- long, it concealed, covered. That's what she wanted. Modesty. Shoes? Heels? Make her taller than him? As tall? Not even close to tall enough. She made a face, settled on her moccasin-boots, checked the time, raced over to her top dresser drawer and pulled out her jewelry box, donned several bracelets, took them off, examined her hand in the mirror next to the dresser, put them back on, matched some dangly earrings...

She looked over at the bed. They were watching her. Twins in black tights and slips, ready to be dressed in velvet dresses. Danny in church clothes, rumpled already. Ponytails that had once been curled to perfection were askew.

"Get your dresses." She encouraged, and checked her make up once again before flipping the light switch. The twins scurried to bring her their clothes, and she zipped them into wine velvet with black bows around their waists. In seconds they were out the door, with Lorraine shouting as she helped them into the van.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come? You won't get married without inviting me? Tracy, you shouldn't be going to a public place like this..." She shook her fading red curls with an anxious expression.

"Don't worry. It's all under control." Tracy assured her with a quick peck on the cheek. She backed out of her driveway, winked at Danny in his front seat belt, and checked the three car seats in the back, bags loaded. All was well, except her stomach was in knots, her hands were sweaty, her breathing was shallow.

She was free. The moment she'd been waiting for. All the loose ends were tied up. Not one extra person was there to mar the moment of return. He would get off the plane... and she'd know....

The short drive to the airport and the short flight to LA were as uneventful as the four children who fell asleep on the trips. She unloaded the stroller, woke the girls, adjusted their dresses, got Kylie's carrier secured. Locked the plane, smiled at the waiting agency bodyguard. 

He announced that his name was Angelo, and she introduced the children as he led the way to the commercial waiting area that had been established as their designated off boarding location. Danny began asking questions about this part of the airport, unused to the commercial side of things as they always flew private now. Angelo was very patient with him and answered each one. Which was more than Tracy could have done at that moment. Her heart raced, and then skipped, and she felt hot and cold, at once excited and then scared.

The what if's were flying at her fast and furious. What if he had changed? Found her not spiritual enough? Found her too crowded with baggage, a different lifestyle than he was ready for? What if he'd seen a million tabloids and believed them all?

They entered a long glass windowed tunnel walk-way with a running escalator floor. Angelo chose to simply stand on it. He asked her questions to put her at ease, and then told her she was very pale, and her eyes were luminous, like she might cry. Which made her want to cry. 

Danny kept climbing on the side rails, running ahead, and jumping to see if his weight could jar the track loose. Melia sat primly, taking everything in, while Megan worked frantically at her restraining belts with nimble fingers.

They exited, and walked down a hallway, where more people were hurrying around, several golf-cart looking things whizzed by, to Danny's myriad questions.

The hallway opened into a waiting area, many check-in and check-out gates were represented, and chairs were seated in angling lines to accommodate many people. She was sure she couldn't sit. Above them, TV screens named the arrivals and departures, friendly stewardesses took tickets and made announcements. There was a lot of noise. A few people were staring. She was rather noticeable these days thanks to the media coverage that left her completely exposed. They had passed a magazine store and found her picture on several covers already.

"Hey!" A familiar voice, Tracy turned and found herself face to face with a dark-haired, tall, young man in a suit, open arms ready to hug her. And then she was in those arms, in a bone crushing embrace, laughing. "Sis!"

Zack Mann set her apart and held her at arm's length. "Oh yeah, you're gorgeous, he's one lucky dude." He turned to Danny. "And you're the little nephew. Ah ha!" He scooped Danny up and gave him a head noogie before his customary high-five.

"Who are you?" Danny didn't struggle to get down, as Tracy might have thought. Zack had surprised her before she could introduce him, and she always prepped the kids before meeting new people.

"I'm your Uncle Zack." Zack said, his eyes shining, his handsome features, softer than Richard's, his eyes a different shade of grayish blue...

Zack set Danny down in time to examine the girls in their stroller. "Gorgeous, gorgeous girls." He laughed, taking each of their hands in turn and shaking them. "Like two little miniature Princesses."

He looked up into Tracy's blue eyes. "Stop being so worried. You're all he talks about in his letters, the girl back home, that's you." He took her hand and pulled her out of the way of a golf cart carrying a handicapped woman and her baggage. He moved the stroller along as well. "He'll be coming down that ramp right there, in just a few minutes. The plane has landed. It'll only be a few seconds."

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