Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest! I 'd also like to thank everyone who previewed the chapters for me. Chapter 34 – Remembrances And Promises Saturday Night…(Day 62) Things were quiet at Bri-tin. After a dose of inspiration from Brian in the form of a blowjob, Justin was actually painting in his studio. And since Justin was still up, Brian saw no reason to go to bed, so he was using the time to prepare some notes on the Barrister, Wilkins & Evans campaign. Gus was sound asleep on the couch in the study, still keeping Brian company while he worked late, exactly as he promised. Both Brian and Justin had each tried to gently lift Gus to take him to bed, thinking he would be more comfortable there. But Gus had made it clear he wouldn’t go to bed as long as his dad was still working. A promise is a promise, so a pillow had been added to make Gus more comfortable while he slept. Justin teased Brian that Gus only promised to keep him company while he worked…he’d never promised to stay awake while doing so. *** And at the Kit Kat Club, Casey knocked on the dressing room door marked with a star; “Ms Devore,” he said quietly. “Enter…” a husky voice responded from the other side of the door. Carl, Debbie, and Jennifer followed Casey into the room. Divina wasn’t visible when they first entered, but she had made sure that the couch and chairs in the dressing room were cleared. Casey made sure everyone was seated and comfortable before he quietly made his exit. Just after Casey departed, Divina swept into the room. She was still in full makeup, but instead of her gown, she was now wearing a robe worthy of Emmett. Carl found himself looking behind Divina, as she walked past him, for he expected to see a boa being dramatically dragged behind her. “The show was wonderful,” Carl gushed as soon as Divina took a seat to join them. “It was a lot longer than usual,” Divina teased, “But for some reason, my adoring fans wouldn’t let me leave the stage,” she said with a smile. “Can you blame them?” Jennifer asked with a twinkle in her eye. “Your performance was amazing.” “Danny, you were great!” Debbie gushed. “I knew that you were a talented back in high school, but nothing fucking prepared me for this.” “A gentleman has to keep some secrets,” Divina quipped back quickly in response, followed by a slight dip. “Especially gentlemen, who are ladies,” she added in jest. That last comment caused everyone to laugh “Some secrets, huh?” Debbie said with a laugh. “You should have invited me to your show sooner. Vic and I would have loved to travel out of town for this. He would have loved to have seen this.” “Do you think that he would get it? After all, Divina is so over the top. I’ve said it before, that being her can be tiring. Vic always struck me as more down to earth.” “He mellowed a little more due to his illness, but he never lost his sense of humor. I’m sure that Divina would have appealed even to his sense of drama,” Debbie said quietly. “Well, I hope he enjoyed the show…watching from where ever he is…and we know that he is never far away from you, Debbie,” Divina quietly added. “Not the Vic that I remember.” “Thank you for that,” Debbie said quietly, holding back tears. Even after all these years, she still missed Vic, but on an evening like this, it was nice to be able to talk about him with someone, who knew him long before the dreaded illness overshadowed his life. “I remember his wisdom and zest for life. And let us not forget those divine desserts,” Jennifer added. “I don’t know how Justin, Michael, and Brian could resist.” “Vic and Justin would enjoy spending time in the kitchen together. That’s where the Grand Marnier Waffles came from. Sunshine added a new twist to one of Vic’s recipes,” Debbie revealed. “And it looks like Gus and Nicky are following in the tradition,” she added with a laugh, “If the story of French Toast Surprise is any indication.” “Debbie, don’t get me started on the Nicky-Gus twosome. We don’t want to bore Divina with the antics of those two, now do we?” Jennifer said, as her thoughts drifted back to when she and Molly were spending the weekend with the two of them. “At four and six years old, they still manage to keep everyone on their toes,” Carl explained. “They sound like my kind of kids. I hope to get to meet them,” Divina said quietly. For just a moment, Divina turned into the thoughtful, introspective Daniel, remembering some of things that he’d missed in his life. His success had come at a price. And he couldn’t help wondering how his life would have been different, if Debbie had told him the truth about Michael back when they were teenagers. There was a surprising moment of quiet in the dressing room. And then Daniel, not Divina, said, “Divina never really thought about kids one way or the other, but Daniel is another story,” he added. “As much as I like Daniel,” Jennifer interrupted, “I must admit that Divina is hard to resist” she added with a laugh. “I guess now that you’re moving back here, she’ll be appearing locally more often? I bet that your fans are going to love that.” “Yes, it’s been almost five years since you’re last appearance,” Debbie reminded her. “I needed the time,” Daniel said quietly. “Once upon a time, I could live as Divina full time. Now, she’s a comfortable persona that I can put on or take off at will.” “So, that means that I shouldn’t expect to see Divina sweep into the diner?” Debbie had to ask. “I sure hope not,” Carl interrupted. “I’m not sure that Em would like this much competition,” he teased. “And if they were together the brightness in the room would be blinding,” he added. “Em?” Divina asked. “Emmett is ….” Jennifer began. “Indescribable…” Carl quickly pointed out. “That pretty much sums it up,” Debbie said with a laugh. “You’ll have to forgive my attire,” Divina began, “I have a late show in a couple of hours. It takes so long to get into makeup that I didn’t want to start from scratch.” “That’s something we can identify with, can’t we Debbie?” Jennifer suggested. “Enough about me,” Divina protested. “You two ladies are stunning. Except for me, you were the most beautiful dames in the audience.” Once again, Daniel was pure Divina. “Hey…what about me?” Carl teased. “Well Carl, I did notice the way that Casey kept watching you all evening,” Divina teased with a slight nod of her head. “I do think that you might have made a conquest “Thanks, Divina…but he’s really not my type,” Carl quickly noted. “I know. I just didn’t have the heart to tell him that you’re into over the top redheaded dames.” Divina added with a laugh. “And I’m very glad that he is,” Debbie confirmed. “I know it’s been just a few days since we’ve talked, but how are things going?” Jennifer asked. “Well, Michael and I have at least re-established contact. We’re going to take things slow. I’m really looking forward to spending time with him. I have a son that I’m really looking forward to get to know better. We’ve lost so much time, but the future looks pretty bright,” Daniel confirmed. “So you’re still ready for the challenge?”Debbie had to ask, “ I wasn’t sure if you changed your mind,” “I’m afraid that changing my mind isn’t really an option. I thought about nothing else for the last four years,” Daniel answered. “All the plans…” “You don’t realize it, but you have an entire family here supporting you as you go through this,” Carl added. “I do? Family?” Daniel asked with some surprise. “Absolutely,” Jennifer chimed in, “And believe me, this family is like no other.” “You can fucking say that again,” Debbie chimed in. “Oh, we’ll drive you crazy…just like any other family…but underneath it all, we love and care for each other. And you’re now a part of us.” “I am?”Daniel, once again, was surprised. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it,” Jennifer whispered as an aside. Carl looked over at Debbie. He could see the wheels turning in her mind, under that red wig. He secretly smiled to himself, as he pondered what was to come. Debbie didn’t surprise him. “So, as the newest member of this family, you’re expected to attend Sunday dinner at my house,” Debbie said. “Me? Sunday dinner? Family?” Daniel mumbled in a total state of shock. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” Carl decided it was time for him to intervene here and explain to both Divina and Daniel about how the world worked. “Daniel, when Debbie suggests that you attend a family dinner, you’ll learn, like the rest of us have, that it isn’t a suggestion. It’s a command performance. And as Divina, I’m sure would explain, command performances let no opposition,” he explained. “I see…” Daniel mumbled. “Well, when you put it that way….” “Somehow, I knew that Divina would understand,” Carl said with a laugh. “That’s perfect. You’ll get to meet…” Jennifer began. “You’ll get to meet whoever happens to be there,” Debbie suggested.”Besides, if you come early, I can show the pictures. A lifetime of pictures…to make up for the lifetime that you missed,” she added. “By all means…come tomorrow. I’ll be there, and I’m looking forward to seeing you there,” Jennifer added. There was a moment of silence, before Daniel finally agreed. “Well, Divina has another performance, so we should allow both Daniel and Divina to get some rest,” Carl suggested. “Divina, thank you for the royal treatment this evening….and the show was wonderful… I wouldn’t have missed it,” Jennifer added. “I’m glad that you all came. It was a kick knowing that the three of you were sitting out front,” Divina commented with a sweeping gesture, “So, we’ll say our good night,” Carl said quietly. “And we’ll see you tomorrow. Dinner is at two o’clock, but feel free to come early to see those pictures we talked about,” Debbie said with a laugh. They all said their goodbyes as Divina escorted them to the dressing room door. While riding in the car, a few moments later, everyone had their own vision of another Dinner at Debbie’s.