Emmett and Queenie, continued

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The tale of Queenie was very interesting to everybody. The once so evil snow queen now turned into a loving daughter of God. Nobody who saw Queenie could imagine she once were a creepy sorcerer. And Queenie herself didn't want to look back at those days. She closed this chapter for once and for all. What had been done in the past couldn't be undone but there was always time for forgiveness and hope for a better life which in her case happened. And now she was know as Queenie Frankl, the wife of Emmett Frankl. Nobody had seen Emmett and Queenie since they left for the wedding night but nobody was worried. The couple needed to be alone. They loved each other so much they just needed time alone. Everybody knew they would show up again anytime soon. Emmett had so many plans with his wife. And there was a honeymoon waiting for them.

The hockey couple went to sleep and so did the Rabbit and the Hatter. Jesica and Ghost still talked together about everything which happened the last couple of days and even weeks.

When Nessa woke up the next day she jumped out of her bed and saw it had snowed even more. She woke up her husband still sleeping and when Eric saw the sight of the snow he was even more in a hockey mood.
Nessa however was more in a Christmas mood. The Rabbit knocked on their door. Eric opened the door and the Rabbit walked in holding a plate in his hand with breakfast on it.

" Roomservice! Breakfast prepared for you by the lovely lady Rosita!"

The Rabbit himself was having breakfast together with the hockey couple.

" Where's the Hatter?"

" He didn't feel so well and allowed me to have breakfast with you. He wanted me to tell you not to worry. It must have been the tea".
 
Meanwhile, the Octopus Collective--the vegetarian restaurant started by Copperfox, which had been the Octopus Garden until eminent-domain abuse forced him to sell it for a pittance price--was going down the tubes.

One reason was that the Change Party hacks who had forced the sale hadn't really cared about _running_ the restaurant, only about _taking_ it away from Copperfox because he wouldn't conform to them. As a corollary to this, out-of-town political wonks no longer bothered coming.

Another reason was that everyone in Horse-With-No-Name-Ville knew what had been done to Copperfox, and hardly anyone there felt like rewarding those who took over his business.

Another reason was the new management's insistence on following the post-modernist philosophy, in which concrete facts must _always_ yield to emotions. The _definition_ of being vegetarian was one of the facts which the new management had set out to defy; they would mix meat into their dishes, yet stubbornly claim that this did not contradict being vegetarian.

By the time Copperfox was released from the short hospital stay which had followed upon the permanent loss of his superhero abilities, the Octopus Collective was getting absolutely _zero_ business. The employees, most of whom had worked for Copperfox and then shown their faithlessness to him, decided to stage a sit-in protest, _demanding_ that people come to their collective to eat.

But no one paid attention to them.
 
Your chronicler must regretfully report that relations in the Frankl household, after that ominous initial dispute over breakfast--which Emmett won, so that he made breakfast for Queenie rather than she for him--only grew rapidly worse. Suddenly there were arguments about _everything,_ and every argument instantly turned into a desperate battle. Oooohh, what battling and fighting and furious combat! Emmett and Queenie fought all day and all night, fought in every room of the house, on every surface and in every space that was even halfway suitable. And the more they fought, the more they both _wanted_ to fight again. And again. And again. They lost count of all the rematches. At least, mercifully, there was no gunfire; all combat was being conducted at much too close a range for that. Meanwhile, persons within a two-mile radius of their house walked around in T-shirts.

After four days of this relentless war--in which, remarkably, neither antagonist ever seemed to suffer any harm--the Mod-Cam operators were going crazy wondering if they would _ever_ be cleared again to look directly at the relentlessly clashing newlyweds.

Shaking hands can be habit-forming.
 
Eric went out to play hockey again. The children enjoyed it but they didn't stay that long because their parents decided to go out skiing with them. But for as long as they could stay the children learned some more hockey skills from Eric.
Some reporters who still were trying to get a good picture of the newly wed couple looked around and were a bit bored. One of them did recognize Eric.

" Hey, isn't that the retired hockeyplayer on the ice? Let's go and figure out what he is doing".

As soon as they saw Eric teaching the children the reporters assumed Eric might become a coach. They thought they already found the evidence of him becoming one. One of the reporters informed his coworker doing the sports news while the others were taking pics.

" Hey Frank, it's me Derek. You are into sports right? Are you also doing all the NHL games? You do? Okay...now listen. Last year this big canadian retired. What was his name again? Yes, the big one. He used to play for the -what's their name again- Flyers, Philadelphia Flyers. YES! Right! Eric Lindros yes! Well...he is here in Horse-with-no-name ville and he is teaching the children how to play hockey. Do you think he might become a coach? Maybe he start with the youth of Colorado Avalanche? I don't know...I try to figure it out. What did you say? What on earth he is doing here in this ville? Maybe he is one of Mr Frankl's guests perhaps. Okay...I'll talk to you later".

Eric unaware of the reporters continued playing hockey and then he decided to let the youngsters play for a while. He walked off the ice and took Nessa in his arms and kissed her. Of course the reporters immidiatly took a picture not knowing Eric and Nessa were already married in Wonderland.

Trinity spotted the reporters when she looked out of the window of the Guesthouse.

" Are they still there? Hey wait...what are they doing? Emmett and Queenie aren't there?"

Ghost shook his head and looked through the window as well.

" No, Emmett and Queenie are still busy with ehm shaking hands and driving each other back and forth five miles apart".

" But if they aren't there, what are these reporters doing over there?"

Ghost looked again and nodded his head.

" It's the hockeyplayer. They must have figured out who he was and so they are trying to figure out what he is doing here".

Fortunately the reporters didn't stay at the ice. They still waited for Emmett and Queenie. Derek who was talking with his coworker Frank sent the pics he made to his coworker to see what he could do with it. But of course it was not big news. Maybe for the canadians who still followed Lindros' whereabouts.

In the steakhouse Ghost waited for Jessica to come over again. She was going to learn him how to play the bagpipe which was even more tough than doing bellydancing
 
What Emmett and Queenie were doing, of course, was to marriage what Copperfox's old "Affectionate Fighting" game had been to friendship: a combat in which no one loses. But Queenie was developing her own TECHNIQUE of winning in their endless battles....

By surrendering.

The more she surrendered, the more victorious she was.

Finally, on the Friday afternoon after their wedding, as they were showering--which OF COURSE was done in SEPARATE BATHROOMS THIRTY FEET APART (you know, just like the twin beds)--Emmett said to his bride:

"Well, this has been a terribly short break from business; but I s'pose we should show our faces at the steakhouse an' let 'em see for themselves that you lookin' sixteen ain't that much different from how you looked six days ago. Tonight, when we, um, get back to our SEPARATE BEDS FIFTEEN FEET APART, we can talk about options for a real honeymoon trip."

"TALK about options?" echoed Queenie. "Don't you mean, FIGHT about options?"

Emmett laughed out loud, but the Mod-Cams were not allowed to record the physical action which accompanied his laughter. "Of course you're right, sweetheart, silly me! Shall we, um, discuss the battle tactics for that fight?"

Queenie giggled. "Oh, absolutely. Combat training is vital when waging war."
 
The kids left to go out skiing and Nessa and Eric went out for a walk together.
Trinity and Jake helped at the Steakhouse and Ghost and Jessica were discussing the basics of playing the bagpipe. The Hatter and the Rabbit stayed inside because the Hatter felt a bit sick.
 
Emerging from the house for the first time since Emmett had carried Queenie across its threshold on Saturday night (they had done extensive Bible study on their own that Sunday morning), the newlyweds went strolling to the restaurant, through air still warmed by their own afterglow.

"My investors--did I explain about investors?"

"Yes, you did," Queenie assured him. "Go on."

"My investors have taken advantage of our online coverage to open the first Emmett's Gunslinger Steakhouse in AUSTRALIA. Sydney, Australia, to be specific. That leads to one of our honeymoon options. We could fly down under by QANTAS, see the Sydney Opera House--and host the grand opening of the new steakhouse location."

"It sounds like fun," said Queenie, non-committally. "But what about Christmas?"

"Well, honey-lamb, that's one of the matters we have to talk, or fight about." He paused to sweep her into his arms and kiss her torridly, which she repaid in kind. Two minutes later: "Because your old way of life was all bound up with snow and winter, I thought maybe your first Christmas as a believer should happen in a country where Christmas ISN'T in winter. Now, we can do the Sydney steakhouse opening even if we DON'T have Christmas in Australia; that's the advantage of them modern airplanes. But you think about the Christmas option."
 
Emmett and Queenie were given a standing ovation by everyone in the steakhouse as they came in the front door with their arms still around each other. This included some peasants who had recently been rejoicing on Monologues Two. No one but the highly observant Ghost noticed that Queenie looked slightly younger in facial features; she had already been so gorgeously youthful anyway.

Just for the fun of it, the newlyweds waited on tables themselves, but gave the tips to the servers who would otherwise have covered those tables. Queenie still was thinking about Australia; going there to open a restaurant was fine, but Christmas there?
 
The Hatter felt a lot better than before. The Rabbit didn't feel too well. Nessa held him in her arms. From the first day she always loved the Rabbit even though he was not like the average rabbit. He was a special wonderland character loving tea. But even the Rabbit clapped his hands for the newly weds. He didn't feel sick enough to skip it. He didn't even want to skip it at all.
Ghost saw Nessa standing with the Rabbit tightly in her arms.

" It looks like our Rabbit isn't feeling well today".

" The Hatter has been sick before and the Rabbit stayed with him so her must have caught the virus".

" You better take care you won't get sick by holding the Rabbit".

" I don't mind at all. If it's a virus we might get sick or not. But I don't mind".

Jessica the Bellydancer didn't leave at all. She was way too happy to teach everybody a bit of her dancing and she enjoyed the lessons with Ghost very much. Jessica quickly walked up to Emmett and Queenie and asked them if they wanted to see one short performance. Ghost appeared as a Bagpipe player and he showed his bellydancing skills. He was getting an ovation for this private show.
 
Jessica hugged Queenie, saying, "I didn't think _anything_ could make you _more_ beautiful than you already were; but now you've got even more happiness than before shining out of you!"

Queenie kissed her new friend and remarked, "I'm learning more each day how to _give_ love, not just want the _benefits_ of love for myself. It makes _such_ a difference! Like what Louise Finney said to us just before the ceremony--oh, but you weren't there to hear it, were you, Jessica dear? You should ask Louise to tell you her story sometime, about her own marriage to Parson Titus...you know, just in _case_ you find a man you want sometime soon."

Jessica kissed Queenie back, then turned to give Emmett a squishy Gug. "You look younger too, now, not a day older than 80!" she joked. "Tell us, is there going to be a big holiday bash here?"

"CHRISTMAS bash," Emmett gently corrected her. "Sayin' the word 'Christmas' ain't been declared a hate crime yet in this town. But to answer your question: there's bound to be somethin' doin' at the Gunslinger. But whether Queenie an' me will be in on it is up to her. I asked her if she wants to spend Christmas in Australia, so's to be different. Still waitin' on her decision."

Ghost, not yet as far along with social graces as Trinity, blurted out, "What, Emmett, less than a week and you've already lost hold of the reins at home?"

Queenie was quickest of any to respond. "Ghost: my husband, under Aslan, IS the head of our household. But he _gave_ me the choice to make about Australia. We will go there in any case; the only question is whether I want to be there AT Christmas time." Then she went into Emmett's arms, as if a little afraid of his feelings being hurt. But she had no cause to worry--provided it didn't worry her to be showered with kisses by him in front of the others, which was what happened.
 
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Queenie had never celebrated Christmas before. Yes, when she was a child but not since she grown up. So she had a bit of mixed feelings. She anted to spend Christmas together with Emmett and his family and friends but she also wanted to be alone with her beloved one. And even though snow was very beautiful and fun for the kids she was tired of it. This was because of all those years she lived as a snow queen in snowland.

" I made my decision.......there will be Christmas every year and we will have a lot of times spending Christmas together with family and friends. This is our first Christmas together and I want it to be special so I will go to Australia with my beloved husband".

Emmett kissed Queenie. Ghost laughed and joked.

" This has become your new hobby Emmett...kissing the Queen of your heart".

Jessica smiled. She felt happy for the couple. The young girl enjoyed every minute watching the happy couple together. And she still couldn't believe Queenie once used to be an evil sorcerer. But she knew it was true. And it showed how everybody could change only if they would allow a change to happen. Queenie allowed herself falling in love with Emmett and Emmett listened to Aslan and allowed Queenie in his heart.
 
While everyone was chatting, a bearded man leaning slightly on a cane entered the steakhouse. No, it wasn't Kris Kringle from "Miracle on 34th Street;" it was Copperfox, deprived of his Grey Eagle powers, but not of his dry wit. Only the ever-alert Ghost--and Rosita, who held the door for him--noticed him coming; but he signalled them to be quiet.

Emmett and Queenie's first intimation of the old sailor's presence came by his voice being heard immediately behind the former Snow Queen: "Excuse me, Mrs. Frankl: somebody needs to shake hands with you _literally,_ or else the joke won't be as funny!"

When Queenie spun around, it was to see Copperfox extending his right hand in a rather insistent fashion. Something about his expression declared that specifically a plain handshake _was_ what he wanted. So she took his hand, but held it with both of hers as she said gravely, "Thank you, Copperfox. Thank you, Joe, for what you did for us. I only found out later; and--"

"And you were busy doing _exactly_ what I wished you to be doing, Queenie," he interjected with a short-lived smile. "You were being in love. You must cherish your loved ones while you have them; they can be taken away from us at any time. I know.

"But I was meaning to say: I just read the online report of your decision to stay in Australia through Christmas. I think it's a good idea to do that now. If you find yourself, uh, carrying a little passenger by this time next year, travel could be more difficult then. And you don't have to be cut off entirely from Christmas cheer in _this_ hemisphere; just have an _early_ Christmas party here, _before_ you fly to Sidney."

"That makes good sense, old squid!" exclaimed Emmett. "It'll have to be done quick, but that's okay. And _you're_ gonna be called on to tap-dance for us, AND sing your rendition of 'While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.' "

 
Nessa decided to look after the Rabbit. She took him with her into hr room and covered him in blankets and made a warm cup of tea. The Rabbit coughed.

" Don't be too worried. I will be okay anytime soon!".

" I know my friend but I try to keep you as warm as possible before it gets even worse".

Eric followed his wife and entered their room. He saw the Rabbit drinking a bit of tea.

" Is he doing better now?"

" Yes, he is doing a bit better but is still having a heavy cold or flue. I want him to stay here to be certain he will be alright".

" Are you coming back to me soon darling? Copperfox is going to tapdance and I don't want to miss it. Especially now Jessica has decided to take tapdance lessons".

Nessa kissed her husband and nodded.

" Don't worry. I'm coming back soon. The Rabbit needs to rest anyway".

Eric went back to watch the moment Copperfox would do a performance and a few minutes later Nessa was standing next to her husband.

" He is sleeping right now. I think he will be much more fine tomorrow".
 
Copperfox, as a Michael Flatley wanna-be, used recorded music from "Lord of the Dance" for his performance. Everyone agreed that his dancing was JUST LIKE Michael Flatley's....if Mr. Flatley had had about 30 years' less training and experience, and were suffering from arthritis and high blood pressure. Still, it was fun for a tolerant audience. Afterwards, in honor of the planned honeymoon of the GUNSLINGER couple, Copperfox did a more impressive job singing Australian folk songs: not only the standard "Waltzing Matilda," but also others such as "Botany Bay" and "The Drover's Dream."
 
Through his now more fined tuned sensor, and word of mouth from one of his operatives in the field, Bat-Bat found out that his old friend Copperfox, formerly AKA Gray Eagle, was a the Gunslinger Steakhouse and was ready to cheer the guests with renditions of Australian folk songs. Bat-Bat immediately took one of the tunnels previously used by the villains to make it there in time to listen to this performance.
 
There was a special poignancy in hearing Copperfox rendering the final verse of "The Reedy Lagoon"--

Oh, where is the girl whom I often caressed, the girl with the lovely brown eyes?
She pillows her head on another man's breast, and tells him the very same lies..."

Bat-Bat's palm terminal searched up the song for him, and found that the original song at this point spoke of the MAN having formerly lied to the absent girl, and the girl getting the same lies from her next lover. But Copperfox had enough history as a faithful husband until death, that he was entitled NOT to have to represent himself as a liar in a song.

My home she would hardly be willing to share, where I sleep by the light of the Moon;
But it's little I care, for I'd rather be here, on the banks of the reedy lagoon, on the banks of the reedy lagoon.
 
Bat-Bat of course was recording the entire performance with high definition recording devices that he carried built into his costume in various sections of it. On of those recording devices was of course on his belt buckle, but the others were undetectable to eyes or scanning devices.
 
The town veterinarian, a handsome lady named Carmela, dropped by to ask Nessa and Eric about the White Rabbit's condition, and to offer her services free of charge.
 
After a reasonable amount of time with their friends, and being assured that Carmela would do all she could for the White Rabbit, Emmett and Queenie excused themselves, explaining that they had business to attend to. Because they were in total agreement about the Australia trip, they needed to find something else to pretend to disagree on, so that they could have a make-believe argument swiftly turning into a deliciously desperate struggling battle. You know, with lots of shaking hands.
 
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Carmela checked on the white Rabbit and gave him some medications.

"Here you go my dear Rabbit. This will make you better in no time. You are just having a nasty cold".

Nessa hugged Carmela. " Thank you dearie! The Rabbit is dear to not only me but all of us and to see him sick is not making me happy. But thanks to you we can go outside again".

Queenie checked her passport. She couldn't believe it really said Queenie Frankl in it and of course her maiden name. She was having this feeling for so long now and she started to like teasing Emmett. But of course in a good way. Emmett and Queenie were having fun in searching things they could disagree about but to their own surprise they really agreed on everything.
 
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