#and the way Katie addresses the crowd as her babies. well.
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Embers XV
Chapter XV: the (non) moment
Summary of series: Katie moves from Peachtree, Georgia, to L.A. with her son, Alex to start fresh after the death of her husband. When she meets Evan Buckley, a young firefighter, she falls fast but will her son be so quick to accept Evan into his life?
Summary of chapter: Alex hosts a sleepover with mediocre results; Katie fields insults from the PTA moms
Warning: some angst, some fluff but that’s about it
Author’s Note: I was going to stop this series at fifteen chapters but it felt weird but going up to 20 felt like too many -- so the compromise is 18 chapters. So, in the next little bit, I’ll be posting these last three chapters. I’m so excited that the show is back and that we get to learn a bit more about Evan and his family -- hopefully, that means I’ll have some more inspiration when it comes to writing. Hope you all enjoy this short chapter! Stay golden <3
masterlist
the other masterlist
xx
Katie’s P.O.V
You felt like a chicken with its head cut off as you ran around your house trying to get ready for when Alex’s classmates showed up. They were dropped off by the dozen, accompanied by mile long lists from their mothers; who upon seeing you and Marie were the only adults around were hesitant to leave.
“Your kids will be fine!” Marie exclaimed
“And who are you?” one of the moms asked snidely
“Marie,” she replied, “I work with Katie”
“I see...” the mom sneered, “and do you know anything about taking care of children?”
“I have my babysitting license!” Marie teased, “or at least I did when I was in high school. I took care of my baby cousins all the time and they’re doing great”
“Alright, Marie...” you interjected before things got too out of control, “why don’t you go help mom in the kitchen, mmkay?” She nodded in response before glaring at the pack of moms who had been interrogating her, “I promise, ladies, we’re going to have a lot of fun tonight. Plus, if anything happens, Evan will be here” you smiled as you directed their eyes to your boyfriend who was busy trying to figure out to set up a board game
“Maybe we should just stay a while?” one said
“Just to make sure?” another added
“I don’t think that’s necessary...” you tried but it was clear to you they weren’t going to leave, even when they saw Eddie come in with Christopher. You took a deep breath before heading over to check on Evan and help get all the kids settled, “they’re staying...” you whispered to Evan, nodding in the PTA moms direction
“Don’t worry,” he smiled, “I’ll be here. Everything will be fine.” He kissed your cheek and you smiled in return; After a few games, and realizing that it was still too early to call it a night, you decided it was time to have a bit of a dance party, putting on your most kid friendly playlist. It didn’t take much for the kids to get excited and start to wear themselves out but when Alex and Christopher tried to coax you and Marie to dance, you looked over at the moms; sighing deeply as they glared at you
“Hey!” Marie whispered with a smile, “dance with your son. Don’t pay attention to them”
“Fine” you laughed, taking your sons hand and twirling him around to start before the four of you began to bounce to the music, laughing at how much fun the two boys were having but you couldn’t ignore the whispers from the PTA moms
“What’s she trying to prove?”
“I bet she does this when we’re not around”
“It’s not appropriate”
“Especially around the single dads...”
“I think she acts cheap”
“I think she’s a bad role model for our children”
You couldn’t tell if they knew you could hear them or believed that they were whispering quietly but you took a deep breath before you walked past them and into the kitchen to check on the food, “how’s everything going mom?” you asked, Evan coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist
“Good, I was just about to bring everything out” she smiled, handing some plates to Marie and Eddie
“I need to talk to you...” Evan whispered
“What’s up?”
“I have to go in to work” he winced
“What? No!” you whined
“I know, I’m sorry...” he sighed, “they needed someone to fill in and Eddie already said he took the day off.”
“Alright...” you groaned, rubbing his arms before wrapping your arms around his waist, “if you have to, you have to. We’ll be fine here.”
“You sure?” he asked
“Yeah!” you replied, “Eddie’s here to help out because I’m sure Marie will leave soon”
“Okay,” he said with a closed smile, “I’m sorry. I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow.” You pecked his lips and sent him on his way before finding the kids in front of the TV; you sat down on the couch watching them eat the food your mom had cooked while the PTA crowd silently judged. As the kids settled down, the moms decided to head out but not before giving you a few last words
“Katie...” one started, placing a hand on your shoulder, “don’t feel like you can’t call us if things get out of control”
“Thank you, Sylvie,” you smiled politely, “but I’ll be fine. The kids are great. No trouble at all”
“All she means,” another interjected, “is we know sleepovers can be a lot. Especially when kids have so many different needs or restrictions”
“I know,” you kept your fake smile plastered on your face as the women in front of you tried to undermine you, “but, trust me, I know what I’m doing.”
“We just don’t want you to be in over your head, you know?” another added
“Why would she be in over her head?” Eddie asked, seemingly coming to your rescue, and you noticed the moms perk up at his appearance
“Oh Eddie!” they all cooed
“There’s just a lot of kids for one person” Sylvie continued
“Well,” Eddie smiled, “she’s not just one person. I’m here. Her mom is here. Marie is here”
“Actually, no,” Marie said quietly as she tried to sneak away, “Marie won’t be here. But that doesn’t mean Katie is alone. Plus, the kids really like her so I know she’d be fine even if it was just her”
“Bye, Marie” you smiled, hugging your friend before turning back to the group in front of you
“Look, we love that our kids love you. They relate more to you than to us because of your age,” Sylvie admitted, “but after what happened to you and Alex... we’re just nervous leaving them here.” Your eyes grew wide at her confession, slowly taking in that this is how they felt, when you felt Eddie’s hand on your back
“I understand,” you finally said, “but I can promise that won’t happen again.”
“And that wasn’t her fault” Eddie added, rubbing your back to comfort you and it seemed like they didn’t want to argue with him so they walked away.
“Thank you, Eddie,” you smiled, turning on your heels to walk back into the house, “they’ve never liked me”
“Their just threatened by you”
“Oh I’m so sure” you laughed, sitting beside your son to watch whatever was on the screen. After a while, the kids had fallen asleep in their sleeping bags and you were left with Eddie while your mom slept in your room; the two of you jumping up from where you were when you heard a noise in the yard
“Stay here” Eddie insisted
“What?!” you exclaimed
“Stay with the kids” he repeated and you fell back to where the kids were but you couldn’t help feeling your heartbeat faster with each second that Eddie wasn’t coming back. When you heard a bang outside you ran to the door, coming face to face with your boyfriends best friend, “everything okay?” he asked, probably noticing your shallow breathing
“Sorry...” you replied, forcing yourself to pull your eyes away from his, “I just.. heard something and I was worried.”
“I just knocked over the trash can,” he confessed, “there was nobody out there. I didn’t see anyone hurt either, so the noise must have just been the wind.”
“Okay,” you said with a smile, “that’s good then.”
xx
Eddie’s P.O.V
You weren’t sure what the moment meant, if it even was a moment, but Katie was sure to dismiss it all and you tried to do the same; but it was something that kept running through your mind
“Katie?” you whispered
“Mhmm” she hummed, playing with Alex’s hair as she started to fall asleep
“Should we talk about what happened?”
“What do you mean? The trash can?”
“No...” you sighed, “the... moment”
“Moment?” she questioned, peering over the arm of the couch to you, “what moment?”
“At the door, with the eye contact”
“Eddie...” she whispered, “there was no moment”
“I’m not trying to make it into something,” you added, “I just thought we should talk about it.. in case it came up again”
“Okay,” she said, dropping her eyes and you could tell she was thinking about something, “I was worried about you, I told you that. After I heard the noise.. I’m just a little skittish still you know? I wanted to make sure you were okay. That’s all. When I saw you at the door, I was relieved that you were alright.”
“Okay” you added
“I didn’t mean to make it seem like there was something else...” she continued
“I know you love Buck,” you said quietly, so to not wake up the kids, “and I know that we don’t have those feelings for each other...”
“But you wanted to address it and I appreciate that,” she smiled, “you’re a good friend, Eddie, to me and to Evan. I respect everything you do for me and Alex, I mean you saved my life...”
“I did my job”
“You saved my life,” she repeated, “and I couldn’t let you get hurt, I couldn’t live with myself if you got hurt trying to save me again.”
“So the moment was a non moment?” you asked with a smile
“Exactly.” She smiled once more before leaning her head back against the arm of the couch. You woke up the next morning shortly before everyone else and quietly tried to clean up because you knew the moms would be coming to pick up the kids soon but not before they all came screaming into the kitchen as Katie groggily followed in with Christopher by her side
“You know what, Chris?” she said with a smile, “you’re my favourite.”
“Thanks” he smiled, leading you to reflect that same smile on your face. When the doorbell rang, signalling the moms arrival, you and Katie went in to say goodbye to all the kids; but when none of them even acknowledged Katie, you rolled your eyes
“What?” she scoffed
“They could’ve at least thanked you or said goodbye or something...”
“Eddie...” she laughed, “it’s fine. We survived the sleepover. Everything was good. They don’t like me, I don’t really care. What I care about is that the kids had a good time and I would say they did.” You agreed with a nod and started to pack up Chris’ bag so the two of you could get going. You were glad you had brought up the “non moment,” even if it was a little bit awkward, but now you had to wonder -- do you tell Evan or do you keep it between you and Katie?
#9-1-1#9-1-1 on fox#9-1-1 fic#9-1-1 imagine#9-1-1 series#Embers#tag list#taglist#Embers tag list#Embers taglist#Evan Buckley#Evan Buck Buckley#masterlist#the other masterlist#Eddie Diaz
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BLOG TOUR - Executive Actions
Welcome to
THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF Seeking Summer Reads Week!
DISCLAIMER: This content has been provided to THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. No compensation was received. This information required by the Federal Trade Commission.
Executive Actions
by Gary Grossman
on Tour June 1 – July 31, 2017
Synopsis:
In the midst of a heated presidential campaign, Secret Service Agent Scott Roarke gets an assignment that turns his world upside down. His investigation uncovers a plot so monstrous it can change the course of America’s future and world politics. Roarke discovers that presidency is about to fall into the hands of a hostile foreign power. The power play is so well-conceived that even the U.S. Constitution itself is a tool designed to guarantee the plot’s success. With the election clock ticking, Roarke and Boston attorney Katie Kessler race at breakneck speed to prevent the unthinkable. But they also know that it will take a miracle to stop the takeover from happening.
Praise for the Executive Series:
“Executive Actions is the best political thriller I have read in a long, long time. Right up there with the very best of David Baldacci. [A] masterpiece of suspense; powerfully written and filled with wildly imaginative twists. Get ready to lose yourself in a hell of a story.”
Michael Palmer, New York Times bestselling author
“Break out the flashlight, and prepare to stay up all night … Once you start reading Executive Actions you won’t be able to put it down.”
Bruce Feirstein, James Bond screenwriter, and Vanity Fair Contributing Editor
“Executive Command mixes terrorists, politics, drug gangs and technology in nonstop action! Gary Grossman creates a … horribly plausible plot to attack the United States. So real it’s scary!”
Larry Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Exit Plan, Cold Choices, Red Dragon Rising
“Moving at break-neck speed, Executive Command is nothing short of sensational … Executive Command is not just a great book, it’s a riveting experience.”
W.G. Griffiths, award-winning, bestselling author of Methuselah’s Pillar, Malchus
“Executive Command ramps up the excitement … A truly bravura performance from a master of the political thriller!”
Dwight Jon Zimmerman, New York Times bestselling co-author of Lincoln’s Last Days, Uncommon Valor
“Intricate, taut, and completely mesmerizing. Grossman expertly blends together globe-spanning locations, well-researched technology, finely crafted narrative, and intriguing characters to create a virtuoso tale. Highly recommended.”
Dale Brown, New York Times bestselling author
“Executive Treason is more chilling than science fiction … You’ll never listen to talk radio again without a shiver going down your spine.”
Gary Goldman, Executive Producer, Minority Report; Screenwriter, Navy SEALs & Total Recall
Book Details:
Genre: Political Thriller, Mystery
Published by: Diversion Books
Publication Date: January 13th 2012
Number of Pages: 556
ISBN: 1626811059 (ISBN13: 9781626811058)
Series: Executive #1
Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗
Read an excerpt:
EXECUTIVE ACTIONS
by Gary Grossman
CHAPTER 1
Washington, D.C. Sunday 22 June
“Topic one. Theodore Wilson Lodge. Presidential material?” bellowed the host at the top of his Sunday morning television show. He directed his question to the political pundit to his left. “Victor Monihan, syndicated columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, is Teddy ready, yes or no?”
“Yes,” Monihan shot back. You had to speak up quickly on the lively program. There was no air between questions and answers. “If the cameras could vote, he’d be a shoo-in.”
“But they don’t. So again, will it be Mr. Lodge goes to Washington?” quizzed the host of the revamped McLaughlin Group. The reference to the Frank Capra movie was lost on most of the audience. Even AMC and Turner Classics weren’t running very many black and white movies anymore.
“Absolutely.” Monihan didn’t take a breath between thoughts. The host hated dead air. Pause and you’re dead. Someone else will jump in. “He’s totally informed, he’s had great committee assignments and he can do the job. Congressman Lodge comes off as a highly capable leader. Trustworthy. The all-American boy grown up. And he positively looks like a president should look … presidential.”
“So a tan and a good build gets you to the White House?” the host argued.
“It means I don’t have to worry about him taking my job.” The overweight columnist laughed, which made his belly spread his shirt to a point just shy of popping the buttons. The joke was good, but he lost his platform with it.
“Roger Deutsch, freelance writer for Vanity Fair, right now Lodge is trailing Governor Lamden. Can Teddy make it up?”
“No. With only two days before the New York primary, there’s no way Lodge can do it. He doesn’t have the votes. And there’s not enough time to get them. Henry Lamden will be addressing the Democratic Party at the August convention in Denver. But even when he gets the nomination, he’ll have a hard time against Taylor.”
The discussion expanded to include the other members of the panel. They talked about Montana Governor Henry Lamden’s qualities. About President Morgan Taylor’s rigid persona. About the voters’ appetite. And back again to the possibilities. “Is there any way Lodge can do what fellow Vermont favorite son Calvin Coolidge did: go all the way to the White House?” the venerable host rhetorically asked. The panel knew this was not the time to reply. Turning to the camera the host said, “Not according to my watch.”
This was the throw to the video package from the campaign trail.
Teddy Lodge smiled as he sat on the edge of his hotel bed to get closer to the TV set. He was half-packed. The rest would wait until the videotape report concluded. Lodge pressed the volume louder on his remote.
“It’s on,” he called to his wife, Jenny.
“Be right out,” she answered from the bathroom. Lodge tightened the knot on the hand-painted tie he’d been given the day before. The gift, from a home crafter in Albany, would go into his collection and eventually into his Presidential Library. But first he’d wear it for the cameras. She’d see it and tell everyone she knew. More votes.
Mrs. Lodge leaned over her husband and hugged him as he watched himself on TV. “You look great, sweetheart.” He agreed. The footage was perfect: Lodge in the thick of an adoring Manhattan crowd, the wind playing with his wavy brown hair, his Armani suit jacket draped over his arm. He came off relaxed and in charge; less like a politician than an everyday guy. An everyday guy who saw himself as President of the United States. And at 6’2” he stood above most of the crowd.
Lodge knew the unusual statistical edge his height provided. Historically, the taller of the two major presidential candidates almost always wins the election. And he was considerably taller than President Morgan Taylor.
The host obviously wasn’t a supporter. But the coverage counted. He hit the bullet points of Lodge’s career.
“Teddy’s been fast-tracking since college. He graduated Yale Law School and has a graduate degree in Physics at Stanford. The man speaks three languages. He worked on various government contracts until he decided to return to his country home in Burlington, Vermont, and run for State Assembly. Two years later, so long Burlington, hello Washington. Mr. Lodge went to Capitol Hill as a young, energetic first-term congressman. He distinguished himself in international politics and now serves as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security. He’s as close to a rocket scientist as they come in Washington. He heads the House Committee on Energy and understands the complexities of the issues. But is he going to the White House?” the moderator asked in his feature videotape. “New Yorkers will decide Tuesday.”
And with that set up came the obligatory sound bite. It couldn’t have been better if Teddy Lodge had picked it himself. It was declarative and persuasive. The producer of the video package must have been in his camp.
“Tomorrow the world will be different. More dangerous. More hateful. Different times need different leaders. Make no mistake, there are no more safe harbors or promised lands. Unless … unless we make better choices today than yesterday. Better friends tomorrow than today.”
As he watched, Lodge remembered the clincher was yet to come. Things like that just didn’t get cut. He was right.
“So come with me and discover a new America. Come with me and discover a new world.”
Thunderous applause followed; applause from the audience at a Madison Square Garden rally.
Eighteen seconds total screen time. Unbelievable on McLaughlin. But Lodge was not an easy edit. He’d learned to break the sound bite barrier by constantly modulating his voice for impact, issuing phrases in related couplets and triplets, and punching them with an almost religious zeal.
Like everything else in his life, he worked hard at communicating effectively. He punctuated every word with a moderately-affected New England accent. Whether or not they agreed with his politics, columnists called him the best orator in years. Increasing numbers of them bestowed almost Kennedy like reverence. And through the camera lens, baby boomers saw an old friend while younger voters found a new voice.
The video story ended and the host brought the debate back to his panel. “Peter Weisel, Washington Bureau Chief of The Chicago Tribune, What sayest thou? Can Teddy un-lodge Lamden?”
“Unlikely.” Weisel, a young, black reporter, was the outspoken liberal of the panel and a realist. “But he’ll help the ticket. He’s a strong Number Two. A junior pairing with Governor Lamden can work. The flip side of Kennedy-Johnson. Let the Democrats make him VP. Besides, his good looks won’t go away in four or eight years. TV will still like him.”
Theodore Wilson Lodge, 46 years old and strikingly handsome, definitely could pull in the camera lens. He had the same effect on women and they held far more votes in America than men. The fact was not lost on the show’s only female contributor of the week. “Debra Redding of The Boston Globe, is Lodge your man?”
Without missing a beat she volunteered, “There are only two problems that I see. One, I’m married. The other – so is he.”
What a wonderful way to start the morning, the congressman said to himself.
***
Excerpt from Executive Actions by Gary Grossman. Copyright © 2017 by Gary Grossman. Reproduced with permission from Gary Grossman. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
Gary Grossman is a multiple Emmy Award-winning network television producer, a print and television journalist, and novelist. He has produced more than 10,000 television shows for 40 broadcast and cable networks including primetime specials, reality and competition series, and live event telecasts.
Grossman has worked for NBC, written for the Boston Globe, Boston Herald American, and the New York Times. He is the author of four bestselling international award-winning thrillers available in print, eBooks, and Audible editions: EXECUTIVE ACTIONS, EXECUTIVE TREASON, EXECUTIVE COMMAND and OLD EARTH. (Diversion Books, NYC) and two acclaimed non-fiction books covering pop culture and television history – SUPERMAN: SERIAL TO CEREAL and SATURDAY MORNING TV.
Grossman taught journalism, film and television at Emerson College, Boston University, and USC and has guest lectured at colleges and universities around the United States. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He is a member of the Board of Trustees at Emerson College in Boston and he serves on the Boston University Metropolitan College Advisory Board. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers Association and The Military Writers Society of America.
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