Gary Leonard Oldman

Hope this isn't too long for this section. If it is I can move it, no worries.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7n0XPnv8KP0Z52j4Q8UPU0?si=7686b9207ff24905





"B...Bruce! Pull. Up! I SEE **** TREES!"

Was all he heard from his terrified flight companion turned in flight entertainment. Her long dark hair was spilling down from it's plastic hair clip and her aviators were sliding down her nose as her hands waved wildly at the clear blue sky that matched her eyes.  He couldn't help but grin a slow easy grin at her. She was truly his fish out of water today.

"Man...you're a mermaid, huh?"

"If I'm a mermaid then you're an albatross!"

The belly of the plane was mere inches from the pristine tree line as they roared along with the flight path of the local geese. He had to admit her hometown was a pretty little place. He'd been born in Chicago, moved around to Indiana as a kid and then joined up to the Army on his 18th birthday. He'd been in Florida ever since after he'd come home from his three tours. The woman to his right was about ten years his junior, an internationally licensed boat captain named Mary Colleen Murphy, or Col as she preferred to be called. Currently marveling at the view her face lit up like a kid at Christmas.  He could count the dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose and the fact that her eyes were now tinged a little spring green meant she's calmed down enough to enjoy herself. The fact that they could simply pack a bag and fly out to her hometown from their place in the Hatcher Keys blew her mind. To Bruce it was just another two hour flight that went smoothly.

"I can deal with being a bird. Here's the part you hate..."

He figured ample warning would help settle her stomach. She knew that the most critical time was during take off and landing, it still didn't help her body to know not to gag at an angle normally not achieved.

"I doubt I'll ever get my license. I've a feeling that's not looked kindly on during the final exam?"

Her dry reassurance to him that she was fine. They were traveling light this time, just some luggage and gifts for the family and friends she had to introduce him to. There had been talk to merging her mother's bar, The Gull's Nest and their place The Trade Winds but they had yet to put anything into writing. Minnie was setting to retire and move closer to her own mother in Miami so it only made sense to keep it in the family...unless Harvey Starling, Col's god father wanted first dibs at a turn key operation. Bruce knew Colleen would gladly do that over taking it over. Even though she lived down south nearly 1500 miles away she still cared about the town where she'd grown up.

"BVY tower, N2789 5 miles west, inbound for landing."

The crackle of the controller picking up filled his head. Whoever it was had a hell of a head cold.

"N2789 you're clear for landing. Welcome to Massachusetts."

"I can't just take it from them, Bruce. The Gull's Nest was built by my great grandfather when the town was founded. Second on the waterfront besides the old butcher and green grocer. Did you know the Starling's used to own that? That's how far back our families go...oh my god Harvey! Hel's florist shop is right there...perfect!"

He'd heard her last night as she'd packed for them both. He'd admitted to her that he didn't have a clue about packing for cold weather anymore so she had delighted in walking him through her process and parts of her family's backstory came out as she carefully rolled his shirts and pants up. She'd learned the military packing style. Bulky sweaters went on top to act as a cushion if you were bringing back souvenirs, or in Col's case, if you were bringing a stash of homegrown herb to share with your mother and best friends. Deep down his wife really was a pirate, even if she didn't realize it.

"Who taught you how to pack?"

"Chief Petty Officer James Murphy Sr."

Bruce caught a glimpse of a pirate smile ghost across his companion's face. All he could picture for a moment was his wife in a plumed buccaneers hat with a dainty silver dagger between her teeth. Perhaps he'd just given himself a new tattoo idea.

"He was a Navy man...then he came home became a cop and met my mom."

"All American boy."

"Guess you could say that. My mother was almost a nun until she met him."

"Damn beats Mel and Rita's story. She was a barmaid and he was bootlegger."

"Two sides of the same coin, Miller."

The tidy landing strip was fast approaching as the landing gear came out. Wheels touched down and all was well. Another one down in the flight logs.

In their combined down time from the bar they did flight and boat charters together under the Trade Wind Tours name for the tourists. They weren't above doing a favor to a friend or two with flying in goods. Colleen was going to be needed if his buddy Whit ever gave up his wings. She had also expressed an interest in doing angel flights for sick and needy children.

"You'd be surprised. My first time I puked out of a bird just straight up didn't care about anything except not wearing it. Bulls eye on an enemy from above. I can still see his face...I still feel bad about that."

"You were under heavy fire in a military war plane. Vastly different as I'm not open and exposed."

Reaching out to pat his jean clad thigh she sighed.

"You'd be amazed at people can forgive. I'm sure you were the least of his worries back then. You both just wanted to get home."

He'd forgotten she'd been a nurse and just how deeply her compassion ran. He smirked and patted her back as they pulled upwards

"If it makes you feel better I get sea sick."

A deep chortle sounded in his head that warmed him.

"Always keep above deck where you can see the horizon and get fresh air or keep to the middle of the boat."

He heard the snicking flick of her lighter.

"You forget we're still in an airspace?"

"Nope. But I figured out my window. Until they come out with a flameless option I'm sticking with hand rolls. Helps my stomach and in all honesty I think you may need some when we're on solid ground. You're wide eyed and your eyebrows are touching your hairline. I love you, Minnie loves you...my Grandmother loves you, Harvey and Helene are going to adore you too."

Directing towards the hangar Bruce shook his head.

"The last thing I need to do is meet the town chief of police smelling like your home grown, Col."

Wide innocent eyes met his as she held out the joint with a smile.

"But he's my god father...and I know the perfect spot."

Nimble tanned hands rolled two more joints as they were directed into the proper hangar by the ground crew, a rather elderly portly white haired fellow wearing safety orange muffs with 'Willy' stitched into his green coveralls. Waving his sticks he looked almost like a Yankee blue collar ballerina.  A thankful two finger wave and they had some privacy. 

"Thanks Willy!"

Colleen called as she hopped out earning a Roebucker smile her way, Willy's teeth matched his shocking white hair before he hobbled back into the warmth of the hangar office. Col had grabbed her small shoulder bag and her flash light before taking off out of sight. Giving him a bird whistle he saw her crook her finger from inside what looked like a solid tree line.

"Join me on a side quest brave traveller."

Snow crunched under their feet as he followed Colleen. She evidently knew exactly where they were going to end up. A twisting path lead to a rough stone walking path the lead to a rumbling sound.

"Watch your step here..."

Her left hand reached out to touch a large pine tree with 'HS + JL' carved into the bark and it made him smile to see her reconnect with a tangible object from her past. The initials were newly carved into the bark, especially the JL. From the look on Col's face HS finally found a love well deserved.

"Where...what...wow."

Looming overhead was a weather beaten lighthouse sitting at the mouth of the harbor. It's light cutting through the fog that was setting in. Between the two of them they'd planned the timing perfectly. 

"This is Tortoise Harbor light...or Turtle Point. I've mentioned it a few times in my stories of home but well...this used to be our secret spot. Me and Helene Starling. A little birdie told me that there's still heat in it."

Knocking the snow from their boots they ventured into and up to the top of the ancient lighthouse on the point. Outside the winds had picked up and the sound of rain was almost indistinguishable against the sound of the surf hitting the rocky coastline.

"We used to come up here all the time watching for our Dads when they sailed away or came back in. I guess it was our clubhouse...in some way it still is."

The very top held a battered fold out couch upholstered in a rather interesting shade of pea soup green and outfitted with numerous blankets and throw pillows. A handmade three tier shelf held ancient paperbacks along with a wire spool coffee table with bar ashtray advertising 'the regal taste of Reinhardt beer'. tucked to the left hand side by the railing away from the light. The floor below still held a snug little alcove with a lamp and a few layered feather beds for the nights that were especially tough going home.

"We used to have a working kitchen and bathroom downstairs but that's been boarded up since we were in our 20's. That's the past though."

Settling herself down onto the couch she sighed before inviting him to sit down as she lit the joint. He'd have wondered what she looked like young and carefree and unscarred but she seemed to bloom before him. Healed and restored. The smell of her homegrown hit him right between the eyes and he smiled as curled in next to him. The storm raging outside as they flew higher together allowing their inner teenagers to bond for the first time.

" I'm sorry, I didn't realise my hands were shaking so badly, " Lyra says, looking up at him briefly with a look of complete embarrassment upon her face.

There is nothing she wouldn't have given to experience a moment like this, but her nerves were getting the best of her a little too easily and she realised that if she didn't get a grip soon, she may very well end up losing all feeling in her knees.

The man before her is someone she finds it difficult to even think about without her heart hammering in her chest. There's a very obvious sensation of fuzziness that fills her entire body when his eyes meet her own.

" That's alright, darling, you don't need to worry about it. I'm just glad you're here and that you're able to talk to me, " Tom chuckles after he finishes speaking, raising the young womans offered hand to his mouth and pressing a tender kiss on the back of it.

He notices the blush that dances across her face immediately as he does this and though it may have worsened her bashful response, he tugged her a little closer while still holding that hand and into a warm embrace. His arms scooped her up and against his chest, keeping her close to him as he held her and pressed another unexpected kiss to her forehead.

This young woman was adorable and she had eyes so full of colour that stood out against her other delightful features. His own eyes were unable to retreat from hers, though he had allowed himself previously to take in everything about her.

She was a tiny little thing, shorter than he was by a considerable amount and that alone left him smiling from ear to ear, because more often than not, his female companions or co-stars either matched his height or were taller by quite a number of inches.

Lyra was the perfect height for him to hold her in a manner that one might clutch a long lost love after their return from sea. His thoughts swept him away for a moment or two before the young woman nuzzled the side of her face a little deeper against his charcoal grey shirt, a telltale sign from his experience that she was both comfortable and possibly taking in his scent. Tom didn't mind this behaviour in the slightest and it only made him smile more.

" So, do I have to leave after this? I've come to realise over the years that small talk and a handshake, sometimes a hug, are the bulk of things you offer fans and then part ways? " she's not too sure about her words, but as she asks him this, she lifts her head from his chest to look up at him expectantly, almost as an infant would wait on their parents wisdom.

Tom finds another chuckle rising in his throat but he doesn't quite let it get further than that, unwilling to further embarrass the woman somehow. There's nothing wrong with what she had assumed at all, as that is more often than not the way that it works, but there's something about this particular meeting that leaves even him wanting more time.

It crosses his mind, momentarily, to suggest that she might spend all afternoon with him, but he considers also what that may mean if anyone were to find out she hadn't left yet.

" Usually, that's the way it works, but I have to be honest here.. I do want you to stay longer because I'd like to get to know you a little more. Do you think you'd be up for that? " he asks, waiting with bated breath and hopeful that she might actually like to do that.

Lyra takes his words into account as well as the end result if she did actually choose to linger around a while longer, potentially until nightfall. Her heart begins to hammer in her chest once again and she looks toward the ground, biting her bottom lip to prevent a squeal of pure happiness from leaving them. She only raises her gaze again when he lifts her chin with his thumb and finger, giving it a gentle squeeze before stepping closer.

Her breath catches in her throat as he nears, while still gripping her chin so she is unable to look away or move at all. Her cheeks are a rosy pink colour and she can feel the heat coming off of them, but all he does is get close enough to bump their noses together. The surprise sends a shiver down her spine and it's such a silly little action, but she grins either way.

" I think I will stay a while longer, if you're offering. I'd love to get to know you better for the rest of the day, too. I have so many things to say to you and so many questions to ask, " she smiles brightly, finding herself snuggled into his arms again as he embraces her once more.

" We have all the time in the world for you to do that, Lyra. I'll be all yours for the rest of the afternoon, so make yourself right at home, " he says, giving her one last tight hug before pulling away and guiding her with his hand on the small of her back, over to the sofa.

It was the delicious smell of bacon frying that woke her that morning, softly nudging her out of a very deep sleep and into the land of the living. Her dreams seemed to disperse the moment her eyes popped open, but that was the usual these days. With a brightening smile stretching across her face, she pulled back the duvet and swung her legs over the edge of the bed before standing, stretching and padding on down the stairs to the kitchen.

She shared her home with her husband, Caleb, a man who in a million years she would never have believed she'd end up with, mostly because of the way she felt about herself and her own shortcomings. Helene believed that he was the best thing that had ever happened to her and every bit of that belief couldn't be more true.

Caleb had come into her life in a bit of a helter-skelter sort of manner and was a complete shock to her system, but he soon managed to win her heart and after a long time trying to prove himself sincere, the two finally became inseparable and couldn't be happier together.

As soon as she steps into the doorway, she is swept off her feet as he pulls her into his arms and gives her a spin or two, pressing his lips against hers in what was one of many passionate kisses he has blessed her with since they first became an item. Her eyes fluttered closed and she melted into it immediately, grasping his shoulders as he lowers her back down to her feet and asks if she's hungry.

' Bacon, eggs and fried bread, wasn't sure if you wanted any beans so I didn't cook any, but the eggs are nice and runny so it won't be too dry, ' he tells her, smiling from ear to ear.

' I'm perfectly okay without the beans, Cae, no worries. It smells absolutely amazing in here right now, ' she beams, returning his smile and tipping her head to one side as she follows that on by asking what the meaning is behind such a delightful wake up call on this bright summer morning.

' I figured since we've both been so busy with work and everything lately.. and we missed both our birthdays, we should have a joint day of celebration today to make up for what we missed out on.. so I took the liberty of ordering in some cakes for us to try and they should arrive promptly around 11pm, ' he says.

Helene watches him in awe for a moment, just taking in the pleasant emotion of having found such a kind, generous and thoughtful man to call her own, whom has gone out of his way to make a very special day even more special, by cooking her breakfast as well as ordering in some fine delicacies for them to test out later on. Tears begin to pool slightly in her eyes as she allows herself to think more about this and her heart swells with an abundance of love for him, she could never really put it into words. Caleb notices the tears building of course and he starts to panic, only for Helene to raise a hand and let him know right away that there is no need for him to fret, as she sniffles and pulls him into another embrace.

' I couldn't have found a more wonderful man to spend the rest of my life with, ' she boldly states, though the pair of them haven't even discussed weddings or the like at all in their relationship yet.

The sentiment of her words seems to steal his breath from his momentarily, before a stray tear trickles out the corner of his eye and her squeezes her tighter in his arms, placing a kiss to her forehead and rubbing his nose gracefully against her own while swooping in for another kiss. It was a kiss that both assured her and confirmed that he felt exactly the same way as she did about their lives together and there was nothing that could ever take that away from them.

' You make me the happiest I've ever been in my life, button. I don't want you to ever forget how important you are to me or how much I treasure your love and your loyalty, ' he whispers, pulling her toward the kitchen table so he can go about dishing up the breakfast he had so lovingly prepared for them.
 

' I feel exactly the same way, Cae, you have no idea how much, ' she smiles, adoringly, watching him flutter about the kitchen counter and adding each item of food onto their plates before bringing both over together and taking a seat directly opposite her. There are already glasses of juice on the table, as well as a pot of tea and two of her favourite floral patterned teacups.

Helene lifts the teapot to pour both of their warm drinks as Caleb picks up his knife and fork to dig straight into the eggs and bacon, chopping it into equal strips so he can place it accordingly on a piece of the fried bread and take a great big bite, the happy sound leaving his mouth soon after being one that amuses her enormously. She elects to first have a sip of her juice, noting that he had chosen a juice of the mixed berry variety, which was extra refreshing as soon as she swallowed it.

' I hope you like the breakfast, but I also hope you like the cake flavours I picked for us. I wasn't sure which to choose from, so I picked the box with the most options. I think there's lemon, vanilla, chocolate, coffee and also rainbow sprinkles, just to spice things up a little bit, ' he says, fairly proud of himself as he chews another mouthful of egg.

Helene takes a forkful of egg, bacon and fried bread, chewing slowly to savour the taste and smiling brightly at him as soon as the remains are gone from her mouth.

' This is gorgeous, thank you for breakfast, honey. I woke up with a grumbling stomach this morning and this is exactly what I needed. The cakes sound delicious, too.. think I'm gonna try the lemon and the rainbow sprinkle cakes first, ' she says, suggesting they bake a full size cake of whichever one they like the most once the box is finished.

---

Very short and sweet because I'm zapped for energy, but I may add on to it in the coming days

Oh, I'm definitely smitten with this piece. I quite like the dynamic between Col and Stansfield, never imagined either of our girls would be able to handle a man like him but it looks like Colly has him wrapped around her little finger! your descriptions and attention to detail have always made me find so much joy in your writing, by the way everything reads so smoothly and the way you tell a story is something I look up to regularly

Hey there! Figured I'd post it over here for old time's sake. :-) I've missed the place desperately lately.




"One hour and thirty-five minutes...Jesus. Never said I'd do this."

'Well. There's a million and one things you said you would never do, Normy ol' chum. Committing to that lovely lady inside the house on 102 Bayberry Lane was one of them and you did that.'

Edging the nose end of the impossibly practical Ford he was issued into the adjoining garage. It was a sprawling place that hadn't been more than a farmhouse when they'd bought it back in '80 just after she'd gotten the teaching job at the Sloughbridge Academy and he had made detective. Sure she had been the only member on staff that wasn't going grey and he was the only guy in the department that actively looked forward to going home to his wife. Four bedrooms two baths and a finished basement with a fully stocked bar. An in ground pool in the back with a garden oasis and a damn koi pond. Colleen Stansfield nee Murphy had a way of getting things done. He had been gone on a stakeout for two days and he'd come home to her digging the pond out by hand by herself with a shovel wearing overalls four sizes too big and one of his ribbed white undershirts. Long dark hair had been plopped into a bun on top of her head and she was covered with dirt and jabbering away about Koi breeds and frogs and all sorts of plants she had planned. The second stakeout he'd come back to a fully constructed greenhouse. His wife certainly had vision and drive and they never lacked fresh food thanks to her scatterbrained ideas.

"You came into my life like a **** bullet."

Grabbing his suit coat and his wallet from the dash he felt something fall out of the pocket near his foot. The pills. Mr. John Smith's Librium to be exact. Prescribed by Dr. Schlafen. Two totally fictitious  people to get his grubby little hands on a thing that helped him keep it all together. Another bullet in his life, each one of them. He'd never touched anything heavier than Col's home grown hippie lettuce until he'd gotten in with the big heavies at the DEA. First he needed something to keep himself up. Then bring him down. That's where Col' and her stash came in. But now...now this. Just during work hours, to make it go fuzzy. Here at home he had a glass of wine or two and enjoyed his time with his wife. Here at 102 Bayberry he was just Norm, or babe or 'Belly Rubber to the dog and 'Butler' to the cat.

Throwing the pills into the glove compartment he closed the driver's side door and walked up the front walkway. The front flower beds had been replanted with Butterfly bushes and lavender along with catmint and yarrow. The humidity of the day hit him harder here than it had in the city oddly enough. A summer storm was looking to roll in.

Some Lou Gramm song was playing on the stereo as he stepped into the front hall. Greeted by two very large mutts he had brought home after his shift when he spotted the box. Laurel and Hardy were exemplary dogs trained in both home defense and given to companionship. The feline of the house sauntered down the stairs and appraised him with her pinched face and spring green eyes much like her mistress's. Mrs. Danvers was an aptly named feline. No sign of aforementioned mistress either yet.

'Where the hell could she be? I hope she's not stuck again in the pantry again.'

Popping his head into the kitchen she wasn't there either. Then smell hit him before he saw the smoke as a low rumble of thunder caught his attention. Out on the back deck overlooking the pool and koi pond he found her sitting with her legs criss-crossed as she sat with her back straight a metal rod, her long dark hair piled on top of her head. She must have been out in her studio because she wore her usual tank top with paint covered jean shorts, barefooted. He noticed that her toes were painted a cheery lantern red. Imperial Cherry Red, if he remembered correctlyHe smiled and made a mental note to suggest a take out for dinner. His world certainly was lived in shades of grey until she tumbled into his world a flash of her signature colors, midnight blue and cherry red.

'Or perhaps dinner on the waterfront? She's got a sundress that would show off that tan.'

"Welcome home, Nor."

She held out a long slender hand to him, offering him the handmade pipe she'd made many years ago in her first pottery studio.

"You do know that I'm obligated to report this and most likely arrest you."

A grin spread across her face as she sauntered over to his side and kissed his cheek before moving to forehead and then finally to his lips leaving a lingering tingle on them. She smelled of lavender, chamomile and the spicy heady burnt rope and brown sugar of her homegrown. 

"You wouldn't dare and you know it, Stansfield."

Norman Edward Stansfield was a man who had done some Things in his life, as his wife would call it, and many of theme had come to regret but marrying her was something he would do a million times for a million years until the stars burned out.