The Bachelor and Bachlorette...Part 1

It's early afternoon, a week before Michelle and Benjamin's big day. Phoenix has just woken up from his afternoon nap and is playing in his crib. Hearing the playful babbling, Luke comes into to the room to check on his son, who is playing with a toy. 

Phoenix drops the keys and smiles, when he sees Luke, ready to be picked up out of the crib. Luke scoops him up quickly and Phoenix smiles...

*Luke* "Hey! Little man....awake already?'

*Phoenix* "Da..da da..."

*Luke smiles* "You almost got it...Let's go find Ma..ma...Mama."

Back downstairs in the kitchen, Laura is keeping Michelle company while they wait for the rest of the ladies to arrive for the Bridal shower.

*Michelle* "I must say you look really happy..."

*Laura* "I am.We both are..."

*Laura  continues* "And what about you? Getting nervous about the big day?

*Michelle smiles* "I'm more nervous by the day! I can't believe we're gonna be married a week from now. Were you that nervous?"

*Laura* "Of course I was nervous...but the second you walk down that isle and
stand next to Benjamin it'll all fade..."
Just then Luke walks into the kitchen, holding Phoenix.

*Luke* "Phoenix is awake..."

*Laura* "Perfect timing..I was just about to go wake him, set him
down in his high chair."
Luke walks over and slides Phoenix into his high chair.

*Michelle* "I can't believe he's gonna be a year old next month...Are you gonna 

plan a first birthday for him?"

*Laura* "I know...the year went by so fast. Yeah, I've been thinking about it a little bit.
Since he's born the day after the 4th of July, I'm thinking well do a BBQ, his
birthday is on a Sunday this year."

*Luke* "I'm gonna go ahead and leave,Babe.  I gotta pick up Peter and Shaun for
 Benjamin's Bachelor party."

*Laura* "Okay..."
*Michelle* "Hey, Luke...where is the party at?"
*Luke smiles* "Do you really want to know?..."

*Michelle* "Um...Yeah, Benjamin couldn't tell me cause Cruz
wanted it all to be a surprise."
*Luke* "It's at some fancy strip club near downtown. Cruz rented out a party room."
Michelle freaks out, she figured the boys might tease about something like that but she can't believe they actually did.
*Michelle* "What?! Ohmygod! And you trust him to go this...strip club?"

*Laura looking at Luke* "Yeah...I do. I don't think the guys will do anything that
would put Benjamin in a compromising position."

*Michelle* "I'm not worried about Benjamin...My sister may trust you Luke, but I still don't!"

*Michelle continues* "And I know she keeps a nice collection of kitchen 

knives...*eyes darting to his crotch*....Just saying."

*Laura* "Michelle...."

Luke figured sooner or later Michelle would get on the defensive about his infidelity, she hasn't seen him in months since they were separated.

*Luke* "Not that it's any of your f*cking business but I promised Laura I'd stay sober tonight, even though she'd already told me she was okay with me going. I get you're trying to protect your sister but this is between me and her..."

 *Michelle* "Well I think it is my business!...You never came back that night
she fell apart...She was....a..."
 Laura stands up she's heard enough, and Luke is right it's none of her business, they have worked it out together and are still working on it.

*Laura* "Michelle...that's enough. I appreciate you defending me and being there for me that night, but Luke and I have worked it out and I think you need to let us continue to do that on our own."

*Michelle* "I'm sorry...I just got caught up thinking about how upset you were that night. I just don't want to see that again."
Luke decides to chime in, he's ready to get out of there 
before a whole gaggle of women swoop down on him and more ladies arrive for the Bridal shower.

*Luke* "Babe, I don't have to go if it makes you uncomfortable...The guys and
I can do something else or hangout at Peter's..."

*Laura* "No...it's fine you already made plans, no need to change it."

*Luke* "Okay...then I'm go gonna cause I gotta drive across town to pickup
Shaun then, back again to get Peter..."
*Laura* "Okay..."
*Michelle* "Sorry I gave you a hard time there, it's just...it was hard
seeing Laura that upset."

*Luke* "It's okay...I don't blame you for being overprotective...
I'd expect nothing less from you."
Laura turns to Michelle...

*Laura* "Can you watch Phoenix for a minute, while I see my husband out the door?"
*Michelle smiles* "Of course...take your time."
So Laura and Luke exit the kitchen while Michelle keeps 
an eye on Phoenix.

*Luke smiles and in a playful joking tone* "You know, we could just ditch everyone
and spend our evening in hotel room under the sheets."
*Laura laughs softly* "As nice as that sounds, I think I'd better take a rain check...."

*Laura continues* "Besides come to think of it, you still owe me a
proper honeymoon...but enough about that. Go have fun with the guys and make sure
Benjamin stays out of trouble for his sake...."
*Luke laughs* "I'm sure it'll all be harmless...."

Luke and Laura kiss each other goodbye and Laura locks up the door after he is gone. She heads back into the kitchen to check on her sister and Phoenix.

 *Laura* "So? We ready to get this bridal shower started?"
 *Michelle* "Of course we are....You ready for the ladies to Oooo and
Awww over you Phoenix?"
*Laura smiles* "He might freak out with some people he's getting to that age where he recognizes faces.... Well, guests should be arriving soon...In fact I'm surprised Mom is not here yet."

*Michelle* "I know, she's usually always early...and I'm sorry about giving Luke a hard time.
 I'm still kinda in shock that the party is at a strip club...."
*Laura* "Don't worry about it anymore, Luke and I are fine. And I'm sure that the guys are just wanting to give Benjamin a party to remember...they wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize y'all's relationship."
Then the door chimes signaling the arrival 
of their first guests...





This last week has been busy, so I am pushing back the 
Wedding to June 14th. 
My kids have one more week of school and its a busy one and I want to be able to give the wedding episode more of my time.


To Be Continued in Part 2