Ian 2

Chapter 82

Two Years Later

Even engulfed by her voluminous graduation robe, Fleur’s baby bump was not hard to discern as she mounted the podium to receive her honors emblazoned diploma. The Clarys had flown in from Martinique to spend two weeks attending this event and others that were cause for celebration that week. They sat proudly in the audience with Rick, Kate, Martha, Jim, and Amelia, who was trying her best not to squirm.

Ten days earlier, the same family group, with the abrasive addition of Sheila Blaine, had observed Ian’s commencement. Sheila’s distaste with Fleurs condition had been obvious, but fortunately, she had departed immediately after the ceremony, shoving a graduation card with a small check inside into Ian’s hand before she left. Ian immediately announced to the chortles of the rest of the family that the money would be used to purchase baby clothes.

When the speeches were over, Fleur and her cheering session retired to the Castle loft, where Jacqueline and Roger had been welcomed to stay by Rick, Kate, and Amelia. A feast had already been prepared, requiring only some reheating and final flourishes. Jacqueline had been especially enthusiastic in contributing to the spread with a dish for which she’d gauged the freshness of the main ingredient herself, at New York’s famous Fulton Fish Market. Amelia had teamed up with Ian to bake cookies utilizing the newly released Riton cookie cutter. Amelia also proudly drank from a Riton cup and stowed Riton fuzzy slippers under her bed.

“So, Jim,” Martha began the dinner conversation, as dishes were passed around the heavily laden table, “tell us about the work you’ve been doing with the international partners on Fleur’s Refuge from the Storms organization.

“It’s going very well, Jim reported. “A group from France was the first to sign on.” He nodded at Roger Clary. “We have you to thank for that.”

Roger shook his head. “Ce n'était rien.”

“It most definitely was something,” Martha interjected.

“Yes, it was,” Jim agreed. “We’ve had organizations from several other countries sign on since then, mostly from Europe, but there’s one from South Korea that has become involved as well. We expect them to be particularly helpful in providing technology like cell phones to facilitate communication.”

“Outstanding!” Castle commented. “And if I can help in any way, you’ll let Kate or me know.”

“You’ve already helped a great deal, Rick,” Fleur said. "When you wrote RFTS into your last book, we received inquiries and donations from all over the world.”

“RFTS is going to be featured in an episode of Riton,” Ian added. “The actor who voices him will be doing a PSA afterward, giving the website. That should attract a lot of attention too.”

“Speaking of attracting attention, aren’t you and Fleur doing the red-carpet tomorrow night for the release of the Riton DVD?” Rick asked.

Fleur smiled, shaking her head. “If Maman can help me let my dress out again. I thought with that design, it could flow over anything, but Olympe had other ideas.”

“After you told us what you are going to name the baby, I read up on Olympe de Gouges,” Kate said. “What an amazing woman she was, advocating for both improving conditions for the slaves and for women’s rights. I’d never heard of her before. I didn’t even know there were women playwrights in the 1700s.”

“She’s part of the history of French colonies like Martinique,” Fleur said. “I discovered a book about her when I was 13, and she’s been a heroine to me since then. I’m glad Ian is willing to go along with the name.”

Ian squeezed her hand. “I think it’s a great choice. I look forward to seeing our daughter live up to it.”

The grand ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton in Battery Park had been reserved for the release party of the Riton DVD. Since Amelia’s unfortunate abduction by the still hospitalized Arthur Seacrest, the Castle family had avoided limousines. Ian and Fleur arrived in a cab amid the stream of fancier conveyances. He helped her out and tucked her hand into his elbow to make their way as quickly as they could through the gauntlet of clicking cameras.

Once inside the hotel, he presented their invitation, which had been embossed with an image of the heroic dorlis and security ushered the couple into the affair. Fleur wobbled a bit as they made their entrance. Ian immediately put a supportive arm around her. Are you all right?”

Fleur nodded. “Bien, but could we sit down? I think Olympe knows we’re at a party. She’s trying to dance, and my back is a little sore.”

Ian assumed an expression he’d seen his father use to part crowds when Kate had been pregnant and steered Fleur to a table where several people were already sitting with offerings from the open bar. “You want me to get you a water?” Ian asked.

Fleur shook her head. “Non. I just want to sit for a little while.”

“OK,” Ian agreed.

Mack Richards took his place behind the podium and cleared his throat. “When Dark Force decided to start a junior bullpen, we didn’t know what to expect. Based on an obscure self-published comic called Baby Blaster…” Richards stopped while the room broke into applause. “Because of Baby Blaster,” he continued after the noise died down, “we decided to take on Ian Castle. Baby Blaster, particularly from a merchandising standpoint, was more profitable than we could have imagined. In her first Christmas, she made more in sales than any of the action figures of mainstream superheroes. Even at Dark Force, we couldn’t have dreamed how successful the next character created by Ian with an assist from his wife Fleur would become. Youngsters and adults everywhere eat Riton rice bowls and drink Riton shakes. Children cuddle Riton plush toys on five continents, and Riton comics and cartoons have been translated into 40 languages. The launch of this DVD represents only the latest triumph for our brave dorlis and his creators Ian and Fleur Clary-Castle.” Mack scanned the faces in the room and gestured toward the table where Ian and Fleur sat. “Could you stand please to receive the ovation you deserve?”

Ian looked at Fleur, who nodded. With a hand under her elbow, he helped her rise from her seat. The room erupted in sound. Ian helped Fleur back into her chair as the din died away. ”I see another creative force from our dynamic duo will soon be making an entrance into the world,” Mack commented, before continuing his speech on the anticipated sales for the DVD and future Riton comic books, cartoons and merchandise.

Ian’s brows lowered, and he raked a hand through his characteristically uncooperative hair. “It wasn’t necessary for Mack to mention the baby. How pregnant you are, isn’t really the concern of this crowd. Most of them seem more interested in his business forecast anyway. You can practically see the dollar signs in their eyes. I may use that look in a character in my next story.”

Fleur shifted uncomfortably in her chair, putting a hand on her belly. “But I think Mack may be right about Olympe being about to make an appearance. I just felt a contraction, and it wasn’t like a Braxton Hicks.”

Ian felt his breath force its way from his chest. He was really going to be a father.

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