Destinbury

"Stephie of course. I was so sure you would figure this all out."

"I thought about it being you, but I couldn't believe you would ever pose like that. In my mind you had that long dark and trimmed, what I called your power strip."

She had to smile a little when he said that, but then told him, "I shaved that off for the photos."

"And then Stephie used unusual camera angles and...I guess I was just blocking you out because that was so damn unlikely. Wait though, we don't have to let anybody know those photos were of you."

Nila was almost staring into Owen's eyes as she said, "But...oh damn, so they learn that I was here and all of a sudden those mystery photos stop. They'll figure things out I'm sure. Unless they don't learn about me...oh Katy. I told her and of course I didn't say don't tell anybody. Shit." Then she leaned back as much as the barstool would allow, and Owen poured them two more shots of Cabo Uno.

"Here, you need this, and so do I. I've really screwed this up and I'm sorry."

"Like you said, you didn't know. You couldn't know. I should have considered the possibility of you sharing those pictures with others, but I didn't."

"We'll deal with this however you want Nila. Maybe it would be best if, when any of them ask about X, I'll just make up some stories. She sent me pictures of her posing this way or that, or she was here or there."

"That would work but we both know about lies. They usually end up requiring more lies to cover the first ones. At least we have some time to think about this. For a couple of days at least you can say you haven't received anymore. By then we can come up with something we can both live with."

"What you can live with Nila. Naturally I'll go along with whatever you decide."

Owen slid off of his stool, and taking Nila's hands in his, he asked her, "Why did you send me those photos?"

"I guess I was afraid with all of the women you always have in your life, you might forget me. I just wanted to remind you that there is another woman out there that's thinking about you a lot. It all sounds a little silly when I verbalize it, but that was my...well Stephie and I talked a lot and that's what I came up with. Since Kate has been seeing Boyd more, Stephie and I would get together a lot and talk. Not about you all the time of course, but a lot of things. In the back of my mind though, I knew I wanted to tease and please you."

"Well you certainly proved yourself an expert at doing that."

"I'm glad I didn't come off looking silly."

"You looked so silly that I saved every one of your photos. They're tucked into their own file on my desktop."

Slipping off of her stool she asked him, "Did you really save them?"

"Of course I did, but I'll have to change X to read, the sexiest woman in the world."

"Owen, I've missed you so much."

"Nila, does all of this mean you and we could try again?"

"I told you a long time ago that I'd call you, but when I said that I didn't intend to wait so long. I would like us to try again. Talking with Stephie so much really has helped me sort things out in my mind. I can't say that I have all of the answers, but I still love you Owen, and if we don't try now, we may lose each other forever."

"And we can't allow that to happen."

"I wish I could say differently, and I'm working on this, but I can't promise I'll never feel jealousy."

Owen kissed her and said, "I'll promise you this much right now. I have changed. I'm not going to make any promises either, except to do my best...my very best, to be the man you want to be with."

They came together in a light kiss before she told him, "I want to hear about everything since we parted."

"Nila honey, do you really think that's a good idea?"

"I didn't just decide this Owen. This is one thing Stephie and I talked about a lot, and she was the one to suggest it in the beginning. I really do want to hear about everything I've missed, because things will come up, and I want to at least have an idea of what's being discussed. But also this gives me a chance to prove that I have changed."

"You're saying you want to hear everything, so that means good and bad, right?"

"That's right. Good and bad for you, and the same for me. No secrets. We'll talk through everything, and then I'll tell you everything I've thought and done."

"Okay, but this could take days to go through."

"Unless your schedule has changed, you're off the rest of the week right?"

He smiled and said, "You're good, that's right."

"It just so happens that I am too."

"Might it happen that you have a small bag in your car?"

"Why yes, I do have a...well a bag, but not all that small."

Owen and Nila talked until after midnight Wednesday night, but they talked and shopped their way through the morning, and then had lunch at Applebee's before going home. An hour later, they were lying on the bed and Owen started again to tell Nila more, but it wasn't easy for him. Fifteen minutes later, Nila said, "Oh Owen, your cousins?"

"I know. That's all been sitting damn heavy on me. Nila, I only have one defense. Maybe two. I've told you as much about my family as possible, so you know all of us are very screwed up. Secondly, I haven't seen my cousins since we were fifteen at the oldest. Of course I still remembered them, but it was bits and pieces of that part of my youth. When I went home and spent that time with them, it was more like I was getting reacquainted with childhood friends. I didn't think of them as relatives. That still doesn't make what we did right, but that's the way is was and is, and there's no changing it. That's the bad part I made reference to in the beginning."

"Apparently your cousins weren't struggling with the idea, so...well let's just leave that as part of the past."

"Thanks, I'd like to do just that," but Owen had one more thing to confess to Nila relating to relatives, Eva.

"Oh shit," was the best Nila could find to say when she learned Owen had bedded his Aunt Eva. "Are there more stories like that, or are we past all unpleasant details of relatives?"

"That's it."

Most of what Owen had to share about Van's party wasn't all that revealing, or exciting especially when compared to other things Owen had been into and through, but then he told her, "We're getting toward the end of the party at this point, but now the story takes on a whole new dimension. A real photo finish would be a good pun right now," and minutes later Nila was hardly breathing as he shared as many details as he could recall.

Then Nila said, "Rather than me sit here stunned and curious, and asking questions, show me the pictures."

That was to be the end of sharing stories for Thursday night, because they ended up making love until they succumbed to exhaustion.

By the end of Friday, Nila knew about the modeling party, the family weekend, Carrie's party with Dan and Perry as waiters, and everything else Owen could think of right up to the present. "So what's next for you?" Nila asked him.

"Dad's party next, then a brief break, and then the Halloween party and that's it."

"You've been very busy, and especially so, considering everything after the wedding bash has been word of mouth."

"And none of the parties have been for local people. All from several hours away."

"In the party goer's eyes, distance equals safety I'm sure, and that's probably true."

Chapter Two Hundred Five

Saturday was to be an important and pretty busy day for Owen and Nila, and it started when they went out and bought her engagement ring. On the way home, and as she once again admiring her ring, she said, "I think we need to talk more about your photos of X. It won't work to just tell the others that you got photos showing X posing this way or that way. They've all seen what I sent you each time, so why, all at once would you not be eager to show them what you've just received."

"Damn, you're right, but what do you suggest? We don't have a lot of options."

"As I see it, we have two. Either just tell them the truth, or we take more photos of me to show them. But that still leaves us with where, when and how to bring that to an end. It isn't out of the question that the photos would just end I guess, but...they're going to be very suspicious."

"So you're saying you're ready to just tell them they've all seen you in very intimate poses?"

"I think that's the best way to go. I'll blush and be uncomfortable for awhile, but then we can put that mess behind us."

"Well, I already miss not getting e-mails from X," and they traded smiles.

"But now you can not only see X, you can touch her and make love to her almost anytime you want."

"And of course, that is far better. So when, where and how would you like this confession to take place?"

"I guess when would be soon, and the how is I'll just tell them. Where doesn't really matter, except not at home...I mean you're place."

He almost forgot to watch where he was driving as he listened to her, and quickly said, "Home, I like that a whole lot."

"Is that your way of asking me to move in with you?"

"Well if that doesn't work, when we get home I'll beg you on bended knee."

"I think we should talk about that first, but I won't make you beg."

"Fantastic," and as soon as they were home, Owen led her to their bedroom where they celebrated their official engagement, and then spent most of the afternoon talking and sipping wine in bed. The little details about her living there didn't take a lot of time, but they got into a long and very serious discussion as they crafted their version of fidelity, and of course both of them were quick to note that everything was subject to review and revision.

"Now tell me how you see this Halloween party going, since me being at one of your parties began a long and very unpleasant time for us."

"You know honey, I'm tired of me. I mean spending so much time talking about what I have done and we will be doing because of things I've started. It's time to talk about you. After all, you are number one in my life."

She smiled, but said, "Honey, what little I can say won't take long, and for the most part would be very boring."

"Then edit only the truly boring parts."

"I have only one thing to tell you about really. Like I told you before, Stephie and I spent a lot of time together. We started out talking about her failed marriage and a couple of her failed adventures with men. Then we talked about you and me, and then just about me. She became quite adept at getting me to look at things thoroughly and with a fresh perspective. She was quick to call me down on some things, but for the most part she just encouraged me to be totally open and honest. Then we came up with the X photo idea, and we had a lot of fun with that."

"You really had fun with that? Naked outdoors and so on?"

"Well not at first of course, and we were very safe at all times...well almost all of the time. Anyway, we talked, played with poses and...well it was a pretty natural progression for us to make love," and she stared as she talked, and watched for his reaction, but she didn't have to worry.

He struggled to keep his eyes on the road as he said, "I really wondered about that after you told me you were X. Was Kate jealous?"

"No, she and Stephie hadn't been intimate for quite some time. Anyway, we did a few shots of her and I together, but that was pretty tricky getting us into a pose before her camera timer took the shot. But like I said, we had a lot of fun doing all of that."

"Fantastic. I'm glad you did enjoy yourself. Of course I'm begging to see those photos."

"Okay, but I'll have to ask Stephie first."

"Of course."

Then checking her watch, she said, "Here's what I've decided. We'll call Perry and Kathy first and we'll tell them about our engagement. But then I'll confess that I'm X. That way I won't be totally embarrassed as they stare at me. Then we'll call Dan and Alana and do the same. At least then, by the time the six of us get together, it won't be as traumatic for me."

"Sounds like a solid plan. Let's do it."

Chapter Two Hundred Six

Late Sunday evening, Cliff called and told Owen, "Son, we're going to have to suspend the party plans for awhile. Getting everybody we want to include in the party free on the same weekend is proving problematical. I don't want to give up, so we'll keep trying, but I'm not hopeful."

"I'm sure that can be tricky. We'll take you off the calendar then. While I have you, I want you and Mom to know that Nila and I are back together, and I gave her a ring before she could change her mind."

"That's great news, and I'll be sure the rest of the family knows. Um...so does Nila know about...well your family and especially your cousins?"

"She knows everything I know, and I made sure she knows just how different our family is."

"I'm the first to admit we're, as you so delicately put it, different, and telling Nila everything is by far for the best, but I'm sure that caused some conversation."

"That's putting it mildly, but she was great about accepting everything."

"I'm sure that made life easier for you."

"Oh yes."

Just before they ended the call, Cliff said, "Okay, now your mother is going to want to know when we can meet Nila."

"I'll have to get with you later on that, but I have that high on my list."

"That will pacify her for now at least. Wedding plans?"

"Tell the others we're in the very early stages."

"Okay."

Introducing Nila to his parents was on Owen's mind as he went through his days at work, and he discovered life was settling down. Though he didn't realize at the time, that was what he needed and wanted, but then he took a call Tuesday evening. "Owen, this is Casey Watson. You and I talked about..."

"Of course Casey, I remember, I trust all is well with you."

"It is. Okay, I've moved on past the smoking issue. I'd like to meet you and discuss a party."

"Of course. I'm available from Wednesday evening until late Sunday."

"Well you're certainly making this easy for me. Of course, it's my style to see to things promptly, so let's go with tomorrow evening, say about seven thirty."

"I have you down Casey," and then with directions to Destinbury shared, they ended the call and he called and gave Nila the news. "Could you be here?"

"Me? Sure, but why?"

"Well first and foremost, I want to see you, but I'd like to have you in on this whole process. I'll have Molly come too so..."

"So this is when I meet the unflappable Molly."

"Oh she's flappable honey. Not easily, but it is possible."

"Have you told her about me? About us being back together?"

Smiling, he told her, "That would be no."

"But you will tell her before tomorrow evenings meeting."

"Yes, I'll bring her up to date."

"Owen, something did occur to me. What about Char? I mean we get married and...does Char continue?"

"You mean naked Char. Of course, you don't want to keep up with this icon to excess that we'll live in."

"Would she still be naked with me there?"

"Unless the rules change she will be, but is that a problem for you?"

"I guess not, but that may take me awhile to get used to. Our housekeeper runs around naked in front of my new husband. Sounds like something out of a sleazy supermarket magazine."

"I guess it does at that."

"I'll confess that I could get very used to having a housekeeper."

"I would truly miss sweet and daring Char so she a part of our lives. Now I better call Molly. Love you baby."

"I love you too." Then he called Molly and told her about Nila and Casey.

"So the smoking man has had a change of heart."

"It would seem so, and I hope we'll learn more about why that was so important to him."

"I'll also be curious about why his party idea is so important to him. He could adjust his expectations slightly and maybe find another location where smoking and adult fun would be allowed. Like someplace that has plastic furniture and stone floors maybe."

Owen laughed and added, "I think our Mr. Watson is one of those guys used to having his way."

"I'll be sure to have our form for him to sign that spells out in some detail what he'd be responsible for."

"And like you and I discussed, the required security that's added to the base cost."

"I'd suggest that if he doesn't opt for the video cameras, we have a generous moment and provide them free of charge. Of course we would have copies of those videos, and that would be a big plus from the stand point of security."

"I love the way you think."

"Okay, now just so we're clear about Nila. She knows everything you and I have shared."

"She knows everything," but he decided not to mention that Nila had seen all of the photos of the two of them together.

"Will naked Char be there to serve drinks?"

"I hadn't considered that, but I think she'd be willing to do that."

"Boss, I think she'd go out of her way to make that happen. For you, but also for her."

"An interesting point of view. So you're saying sweet Char is an exhibitionist?"

"Don't tell me that hasn't occurred to you."

"I just hadn't given that a lot of thought. Okay, I'll ask her. Any more thoughts or questions?"

"Just how much do you want some of his money?"

"Of course I want it, but why do you ask?"

"Want me to have a customized brochure to give him?"

"Why not? But Molly, I'm not bending on any of our rules. We have to keep this place safe and our asses undamaged. Especially your ass honey."

"Now behave lover, you're now engaged."

"Indeed I am, but that doesn't mean I'm dead. Beauty is beauty, and sexy is sexy, and that's you on both counts."

"And I was afraid you would never flirt with me again."

"I'll stop flirting with you only when I'm looking up at the underside of my headstone."

Chapter Two Hundred Seven

Nila and Owen were sitting at his bar sipping wine when she took a call, and then a minute later, with her phone held aside, told Owen, "Alana and Kathy were hoping the three of us could get together for awhile. How long do you think that Casey will be here? An hour or so?"

"I'd say at least an hour, but plan on...oh hell, tell them to come over."

"Are you sure?"

"Why not."

Almost smiling, Nila said "I want to meet this power hungry guy before I wander off though, so I'll tell Alana eight o'clock."

"That would be great."

Molly arrived just after seven, and after meeting Nila, and with the three of them gathered at the bar, Nila listened and learned as Molly and Owen went over the brochure and the form Casey would have to sign when he paid the deposit. But the more interesting part came when Casey entered the picture at seven thirty.

Owen gave Molly all the room she needed as they discussed the details of what Destinbury had to offer party guests. Then she asked Casey, "What can you tell me about the focus of your party and your guests. That way we might better be able to ensure a very successful evening for you and your guests."

"We're a family owned business, but most are silent partners. Contributing a lot of money in the early days to help us become successful, and now they're reaping the rewards of their investments. There would be few family members at this party, and I'll skip how they, or we, are related. The other guests would be officers of the company in one division or another, and of course their guest or guests. Believe it or not, we'll start with a little annual business meeting, but then as is our tradition, about every other year for the last ten years, we'll take the rest of the evening to have a great time. Ask questions, and I'll answer as I can or wish to."

"Okay," Molly said as Owen smiled at Nila, "Are, or would the guests be aware of the type of party we're discussing?"

"But of course. We've had other parties...adult parties of a sort but...well until I learned of Destinbury, there never was a place where we could truly let go and just do as we wish."