"M'Lady Susan, It is so wonderful to see you again!"
"Mr. Petie!" Sue exclaimed as she ran up the steps to the entrance and gave him a nice, close hug. "I have missed you!"
"I have missed you as well M'Lady." Pete smiled as he hugged her.
Then Miss Cooper walked up and Pete's demeanor changed immediately, "Hello Miss Cooper. While I am happy to see you, my last instruction was you were not allowed in the establishment."
"That is quite understandable, Sir. And I deserve nothing less. I would like to apologize to you for all my unacceptable behavior towards you in the past. I have been most unkind to you for no reason. You have always been polite to me in the past. Please, if you can see it in your heart, forgive me."
Pete was a bit taken aback by her apology then smiled a smile that reached his eyes, "M'Lady, thank you for your apology, I appreciate it."
I walked up then and shook Pete's hand, "Pete, always a pleasure. I know you have to follow your orders, but would you be so kind as to ask Mavis to come outside and speak with us?"
Pete smiled, "That I can certainly do, Sir."
Pete left and within minutes he returned with Mavis. "Hello Ambassador! Good to see you again! What can I do for you?"
Miss Cooper then spoke up, "I, I wish to apologize for my unspeakably poor behavior towards you and the staff. After being arrested and detained in GITMO, I have had a change of perception about myself, my life, and the people I have harmed for no good reason. Please accept my apology."
Mavis looked at her, then at me; "Is this legit?"
I nodded, "I believe so. She is now my employee and will be looking after the two cottages while we are away. They are available to you and the staff for your use, by the way. All you need do is coordinate it with Millie here."
Mavis nodded, and in an obvious test she asked, "May I call you Millie?"
Miss Cooper smiled and replied, "Please do. I would consider it an honor."
Mavis nodded, "Will you be apologizing to the staff as well?"
Millie nodded, "If you will allow it, yes."
Mavis looked to me, "You will vouch for her behavior?"
"I do, yes."
Mavis nodded, "Then the ban is lifted until you prove it was a mistake. That sound fair?"
Millie replied, "It is more than I deserve, considering. Thank you very much."
Mavis then said, "Well! Ambassador now! You HAVE to tell me about that!"
Sue replied, "Oh, nothing really to tell, actually, Harry just saved the President's and Vice President's lives as well as the lives of their wives. He is a multi-billionaire now, he is a full Ambassador and about to have a temporary assignment to Mexico, he abducted the Mexican President's wife, started a war between Mexico and the U.S., single handedly took over GITMO, and owns a 500 foot, trimaran, four deck, luxury yacht with torpedoes, missiles, and Gatling guns!"
I laughed and Lillie shrugged her shoulders, "Yeah, nothing special, really."
Petie's and Mavis's mouths hit the floor and everyone laughed their asses off.
"Umm, I could tell you more but it's top secret!" Sue smiled, "We really cannot be spreading that around yet. Something about the Espionage Act? It applies to any person who learns of such information and then communicates it to any other person."
I interjected with a "Hurumph" and asked, "I think we should head in now, I am getting hungry for Chef's cooking."
Petie opened the door and we walked in. I nodded politely to the Maรฎtre d'hรดtel and as we turned the corner the whole place was packed and everyone shouted "Surprise!"
I was blown away.
The Mayor, the Governor, the state House and Senate majority leaders, their wives, and several other movers and shakers were in attendance. Sue just giggled and smiled at me.
"You minx," I said, "You planned this didn't you!"
Sue just laughed, "Get over it hubby, you are a big boy now and people want to rub elbows with you. Not everyone gets to meet a true and bonafide hero several times over."
Millie and Mavis made a bee line to the kitchen as I turned and greeted everyone with a wave.
I smiled as I sighed inside, made sure my smile reached my eyes, and made my way through the tables, shaking hands, hugging women, "No, I am not running for any office, but thank you for your offer of support," graciously accepting several future offers to father children: You know, general hero stuff with which I am uncomfortable...I was getting hungry, sorry.
The SEAL Team took tables near the door while Sue, Marion, and Lillie all walked up to the head table. Wanda and Zoie both got up and gave me hugs. Wanda winked and smiled, "Welcome back baby daddy!"
I smiled, "Both?" Zoie nodded her response with a huge smile. "I am so happy for you! Please be careful with your pregnancies? I want the best for our children."