By Starbearer TM

Disclaimer: KISS, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are real persons, and this story is not meant to harm or demean them in any manner. It is a work of fiction. Trynia Merin and other characters are property of the author. Rated R for sexual content and language, so no readers under 18 please.

So it continued, dance after dance as the men in Wicked Lester continued to play their set of songs. Gene found himself much rather playing with the band then dancing, and Terri didn't mind it at all, talking softly to Ray and her daughter Jeannie. They took turns with Shannon and Gene's other children passing Jacob around.

Congratulations were exchanged with the couple who continued to dance song after song. Paul hardly let Trynia out of his sight, keeping contact with her even if talking to other people. Still their hands clasped, as they would stand at opposite poses to speak to their respective diverse well wishers.

Gene and the guys from Wicked Lester were coming down from the stage for a break when Gene heard his cell phone ring. Apologizing to Steve and the others, he flipped open his phone and found a quiet corner to speak, "Hello? What's up?"

Steve's eyebrows went up when Gene said, "WHAT? You gotta be SHITTING me... did you tell Paul? Well I don't know WHERE he is... but I'm sure Chris, Dan, or Andre... sure... you have CHRIS on it? Good. I think it's time for plan B..."

"Plan B?" Ron Leejack asked Brooke Ostrander.

"Don't EVEN ask," Steve rolled his eyes. "That's GENE. Always has a plan behind the master plan he does..."

"Maybe it's the press?" Tony Zarella suggested as Karen waked up to him with a bottle of Evian water. He eagerly seized it and took a huge draught to quench his thirst.

"I heard it was," Karen whispered. "Terri said to me that she and Gene were worried someone was going to leak news of the wedding... and somehow there were people around the villa bed and breakfast WAY before anyone else showed up. It seems one of the caterers spilled the beans."

"Oh shit," Tony sighed.

"You hear?" Ray asked, rushing up to her old friend. "Some goons are on their way with a HELICOPTER... I just heard the rumors..."/

"What do we do?" Karen asked.

"Excuse me folks, but Gene has asked if you guys could keep everyone calm by playing a few songs." Andre Agustine asked, breaking into their conversation. "He's putting Plan B into action, and he's asked if you guys could distract the wedding guests till Paul and Trynia leave..."

"But WHERE are we going to get a BASS player?" the guys in Wicked Lester asked.

"I'll do it," Ray said automatically.

"We just ran through our whole set," Steve muttered.

"We have a few songs we can play," Ray said to Karen with a wink. "That is if you guys can follow along..."

"Can we?" Tony laughed. "Just give the guys the chord progression and we'll wing it... C'mon honey, let's go..."

He took his wife's hand, and led her toward the stage with the other men from Wicked Lester. Ray whispered to Ron Leejack about the synthesizer, and she picked up Gene's Punisher bass he'd been playing, the small black shield shaped one. Slipping it over her gown, she checked the tuning, finding it immaculate. Karen picked up Paul's explorer, and played a few chords while Ron followed the cues from Ray, and Karen whispered the chords to Steve Coronel.

"Follow me... we're gonna play Get Down to it," she whispered. Tony nodded, clicking his sticks together to draw the musicians into a cohesive unit. Tony and Karen had played in their own group, and the other guys were at least well enough acquainted to fill in when needed.

"HEY!" Karen called into the audience. "Gene's got some business to take care of, so he's asked the lovely ladies of Sweet Revenge to join this evening's bill... so settle back, grab a drink and prepare... to GET DOWN TO it!"

Jeannie and the others suddenly snapped their attention to the stage. Excitedly Jeannie called out, "My Mom's playing up there!"

"HEEEYYYY ladies listen to me!" Karen began to sing. "We've got a song for you, chained in your captivity..."

Paul's ears perked up at the sound of Karen's signature song, one of the first she had written with Ray. It stunned him to realize she was singing now. What had happened to Gene? Tony followed his wife's lead, the two working in a musical duet that made Paul jealous.

"Let's Get down to it... we really can do it... get down to it... get down get down!" Ray joined her friend with a husky alto harmony. Ron did his best to sub in the chords she would have played those years back, improvising as Steve ripped into the song with his usual enthusiasm.

Everyone was clapping and twirling to the raucous beat. Amazing how these distaff Wicked Lester members really COULD get down when they wanted. Karen was tossing her hair as she had so many years back, her golden tanned body gyrating with the old moves, in concert with Ray. Like a finely tuned machine they moved in action, shaking their hips and cueing off each other's antics like no time had passed.

"Good grief," Trynia laughed. "They're INCREDIBLE!"

"Yeah after THIRTY years almost, they still can rock out... damn," Paul gasped in appreciation. War whoops and cries of applause rose up from the wedding guests who were more then happy with the change in mood. It was time to party.

"She walks in moonlight... everybody knows... the power's all within her...." Karen and Ray began to sing the words to SHE, however it was the Wicked Lester version mingled with their own add-ons.

"I hope someone's taping this," Trynia laughed. "This would make one hell of a bootleg!"

"Uh Paul..." Chris called out, rushing up to them. Paul whirled around, feeling Chris' hand on his arm.

"What's wrong?" Paul asked, noticing his chauffeur and security guard was out of breath.

"We've got a problem... Mr. Stanley... I have to talk to you," he says.

"Chris, what's up?" Paul asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"Uh... well you know the honeymoon arrangements?"

"Yes?" Paul asked, arm around Trynia's shoulders. "What the hell is going on, is there something WRONG?"

"I just saw a whole bunch of reporters headed this way... in a helicopter..."

"Awww, shit!" Paul cursed. "I told Gene..."

"Gene got the heads up from the police. They can't keep them out, but Gene will fill you in... He's got a plan..."

"Gene, what the HELL is going on?" Paul hollered into the lobby, where Gene was speaking on the cell phone. "I thought I said NO PRESS!"

Paul glanced back at Trynia for a moment, "And that stupid secretary from Doc McGhee's office made the suite reservation in my name. Can you BELIEVE it?"

"Honey..." she says.

"Paul Friggin' Stanley, so ANYONE can just come on up".

"Hey, Paul, I saw the chopper," Gene said. He put away his cell phone.

"Stupid sob's messed up..." Paul muttered, taking Trynia's hand.

"What do you want to do honey?" she asked him.

"We need to get upstairs quick, love, before our pictures get plastered all over the damn town," he muttered.

"Wait..." Gene held up his hand. "Chris, you know what to do... plan b... Paul, I have this covered. Trust me..."

Paul looked at Gene with a mixture of annoyance and worry. Running his hands through his hair he demanded, "WHAT plan!"

"Easy Stanley. You guys are just going to go on your honeymoon a little early... Chris, get the limo around back... good... and the suitcases are loaded?"

Paul leaned toward Gene and whispered, "I mean, I guess it's going to be out soon, but I'm just not ready for the fans to find out THIS way."

"Well, you don't have to..." Gene said. "Because I've got the KISS jet fueled and ready... And a getaway limo ready..."

Paul regarded Gene for a moment and slowly smiled, "Plan B...."

From one to the other, Trynia looked anxiously at them both. Gene winked. "And your stuff is already being packed and schlepped into the limo..."

"Tryn, come on, sweetheart. We're blowing this Popsicle stand," Paul laughed. "Tell them they can mess up someone else's damn wedding."

"What?" she gasped. "But the bridal suite... all that money..."

"Don't' worry about THAT," Gene winked. "I think I know someone ELSE who can make use of it."

"It's all yours, man. Just tell the staff to make sure they leave you the hell alone," Paul laughed, tugging Trynia by the hand and leading her out the way Gene indicated.

"But all the people we have to say goodbye to!" Trynia despaired.

"I'll have a conference call piped in later," Gene promised. He kissed her cheek. "Now GET! And by the way, Cyn and her husband are already at the airport waiting for you on the KISS jet..."

"And don't be running up my damn tab," Paul teased, giving Gene a grateful hug. "I've got babies on the way."

"Hey, wait till I tell Terri..." Gene laughed. Paul waved as he dragged with him as he quickly says goodbye to the guests.

"Gene, we'll CALL you!" he yells as they leave the reception hall.

Trynia laughs and blows Gene a kiss. He kissed and hugged a startled Mrs. Eisen on the way out. Chris rushes out after them. Paul rushed down the hall, as Trynia struggled to catch up. Stopping long enough to pick her up, he carried her out after Chris.

"Paul..." she gasps. She was amazed he can lift her having gained 25 pounds.

"Shhhhh! Hang on. I'll get your pretty little rear out of this mess, I PROMISE" he teased.

"But our things..."

"Are fine. I will NOT have the scandal rags hounding us on our wedding night. If there's anywhere in this world where we can disappear, I'm all for finding it."

"Well let's go then," she giggled. Her wedding veil became caught in the door, and she tore it off.

"This way," Chris directed, opening a nondescript door in the rear of the kitchen. The whirring rumble of a chopper rattled the windows and vibrated the ground, and Trynia grabbed Paul's shoulder.

"Out in back..."

Paul looked down at her shortly and kissed her in his rush and smiles down at her, "Life of a celebrities wife and welcome to it."

"Oh brother," Trynia groaned as Paul carried her to the limo. Chris opened the door for them, and Paul lifted her inside. He climbed in soon after, and the limo door was quickly shut. Chris leapt in the front seat with Andre, who pulled out quickly.

"Gene is going out front, with Terri," he reported.

"That's PERFECT! They can give the paparazzi the news and by the time they get done with Gene, we'll be gone," Paul laughed.

"Yes," Trynia giggled as the limo set off down the winding road, with one or two others heading out before and after.

"Dummies," Paul explained.

"Express trip to the airport..." Trynia joked. He sighed loudly for comic effect.

"Of course, the paparazzi have a chopper," Paul groaned.

"Do you suppose...?" she asked as they roared off toward what appeared to be an airstrip. A helicopter's blades whirled already, and She glanced to Paul with surprise.

"Gene laid this one on," Chris explained. "Follow me please..."

"You heard the man..."

"I bet GENE is behind this," Trynia groaned. Paul helped her out of the limo while Andre grabbed their bags from the trunk, and hurried them across to the helicopter waiting in the field. A wind whipped into her face, and Paul boosted her up into the waiting chopper cabin. She gathered her long skirt in before he swung in next to her.

"But...." he smiles coyly at her, "I think Gene's got a plan for our bridal suite."

The chopper cuts off her comment... and they rise into the air, going up the coast. She pointed to the paparazzo chopper landed in the front yard of the villa as they swung around one last pass. Trynia smoothed out her silver lame gown, and ran a fold of it through her hands.

"I was thinking sweetheart..." she giggled, as he draped his arm around her and gathered her close.

"Yes?" he whispered, kissing her neck softly. Teasingly she pulled her skirt up a bit, and settled into the crook of his arm.

Paul took his time to admire her, and preserve the vision of her in his mind at that moment, happy and satisfied with life.

"I thought... well..."

"Mmmmmm, and what would that thought be, beautiful?" he murmurs.

"I should have this dress saved," she said. She could still hear his heart beating loudly from racing and carrying her.

"So our daughter can wear it some day, right? Is that the idea?" he rubs his cheek lovingly.

"Yes," she nodded, fingering his boutonniere. "Just think, Erica caught the bouquet."

"Sort of fits, doesn't it? I guess this means I have to let the chick leave the nest soon." he chuckled. "Just in time to start stressing about my own children again."

"Yes," she laughed, and fingered his cheek. "Paul?"

"Yes, my lovely wife..." he teased.

"Husband dear..." she whispered again. "I love saying that... I do... was it GENE who caught the garter?"

He whispered in her ear, as he twisted his ring, "I guess I'm going to have to get used to wearing one of these again... Uh, it WAS Gene, as a matter of fact. I'm not sure he WANTED to, but there he was, and there it landed."

She looked at hers, and smiled, "Did you happen to see the look on Terri's face? And by the way this is the most beautiful piece of jewelry I'll wear..."

"Call me nuts, but I think Gene has a plan. He's been acting awfully strangely lately." Paul said, as he leans back in the seat and eases her closer to him. He rubbed her belly absentmindedly.

"Yes," she sighed. "Husband of mine... where are we going for our honeymoon?"

He laughed and closed his eyes for a moment. She leaned up to kiss his cheek and tickled him. With a smile on his shapely lips he asked, "Let me ask this. Where would you LIKE to go? Assuming that no one knows we are alive and we can jet off to anywhere,"

"I'll tickle it out of you..."

"Stanley and Tryn Eisen, from Nowhereville, California!" he chuckled. "Just passing through"

"Uh... Noel will be better," she joked. "Stanley and Noel Eisen."

"Maybe I packed my checkered pants and my white belt and shoes JUST for the occasion..." he said, fingering her nose.

"WHAT?" she looked mock horrified.

"Sometimes..." he sighed. "I think it might be nice to just be like everyone else, anonymous in the crowd. Times like these."

"Yes," she sighed, stretching across his lap and yawning.

"But then I think of what it all means and what I can afford to buy you, and I came back down to reality" he smiled, closing his eyes. She snuggled into his lap and pretended to go to sleep.

"Tired, baby?" he says quietly, as he plays with her hair. A snore rose from her, as she lay as still as possible. He laughed softly and continued to play with her hair. His leaned his head back on the seat and his eyes were still closed. She snuggled into his lap, bringing her knees up

"Got a tune running through my head, sweetheart." he said quietly, "This is a good sign."

She continued to lie there, pretending to snore. He leaned up quietly, as not to disturb her and knocked gently on the limo glass.

"What can I do for you Mr. Stanley," he asks.

"Chris, you threw my notebook in my suitcase, didn't you?"

"Yes," he said. "Sure did..."

"And my guitar, right?"

"Already packed," Chris nodded.

Reaching over the glass, Paul patted him on the shoulder, "Good man. If I don't get going on these songs, Gene will have my tail."

"We can't have THAT... can we?" Chris smiled.

At this, Paul chuckled a bit, "Just hope my wife doesn't mind a bit of a working vacation."

"Honey?" Trynia asked, stirring in Paul's lap.

"Hopefully Trynia won't mind a trip to Greenland. She won't mind the cold TOO much, will she?" he said loudly as he winked to Chris.

"WHAT was that?" she asked, leaning up boldly."Oops. Forget I said ANYTHING," Paul grinned."What?" she asked. "Are you NUTS?"

"Yes, about YOU!" he grinned saucily at her and licked his lips.

"Oh jeez you know how to say the right things," she whispered.

"Kiss me, mommy," he said as he leaned down. He leaned up and grabbed his face, kissing him hard.

"But you're STILL not finding out where we're going."

"Aww," she pouted.

"No matter HOW hard you beg," he said between kisses. She pouted harder.

"Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, we are there," Chris said.

"Now look at THAT, we're HERE" he teased as he laughed at her pout. He eased her up gently and helped her out of the limo. They had pulled up onto the runway itself. Overhead curved the white sleek form of a leer jet bearing the black letters of the band's logo, its lights blinking expectantly.

"WHAT?" she asked. "Chris, tell me he's NUTS."

"Uh Chris, could you call the hotel... and get her veil back?" Paul asked, pulling Chris aside quickly.

"Sure thing Mr. Stanley..." he nodded. Quickly Paul moved up behind her and hugged her hard.

"Paul?" she asked. "What's this? The KISS jet?"

"Care to board, miss?" Paul asked, pushing her gently forward. Taking his hand, she let him help her up the gangway.

"It's the Eisen Express, taking you directly to my own personal fantasy island.... Or...is that fantasy igloo?" he teased. She swatted his butt.

"Behave mister!"

"You DID bring a winter coat, didn't you?" he teased further, swatting her own rump.

Yelping she almost tripped over her skirts as she stumbled inside. Streamers hit them full in the face, with the chorus of party horns. "HELLO MR and MRS Stanley!" Cynthia laughed. Trynia gasped as she noticed the silver and purple balloons spilling down the gangway onto the runway.

"Gene! Where did PAUL just go?" Terri despaired. "And what's with these paparazzi in a HELECOPTER?"

Gene leaned over and put his arm around her shoulder, with a shake of his head, "I guess, as they say in the business, they've been "discovered"."

"Oh man," Terri groaned, grabbing a fold of her dress and wringing it. "What are we gonna do?"

"It just so HAPPENS that I had a plan. First off, you're going to relax, doll. You're as bad as Trynia and it's not even your wedding."

"I know... but all our plans... the BRIDAL SUITE!" she despaired. "Do you know how much we PAID for it?"

"Besides," he grinned. "Don't you trust me to have this situation well in hand?"

"But look at it this way.... Plenty of champagne chilling up there for you, plenty of nice bubble baths, chocolates, big screen TV, nice big comfortable bed."

"But what... they just left... wait a minute..." she trailed off. "You mean you and me? But Jacob..."

"Call me incorrigible, but I can't help but think that room is just CUSTOM made for us."

"Where are we gonna get a sitter... on such short notice?" she asked with a hand on her hip.

"...Is with Shannon, and is perfectly content." he touches his chin teasingly.

"Oh..." she chuckled. "Well if she doesn't mind..."

"Besides, Sophia is at the age where she'd kill me if we came back and took the baby. Let them have their fun.... And let us have OURS," he winked at her.

"Aww," she chuckled, seeing where Sophie held their child and was perfectly happy doing so.

"I love Shannon," Terri grinned.

"And look at it this way, with Paul and Trynia gone, I guess that sort of makes us the masters of ceremony right now."

"Uh, so how do you propose... taking over this shindig, huh, big guy?" she nudged him.

"We can't exactly just leave and have these savages tear up the place, can we?" he chuckled. "Besides, too damn late to be navigating down that windy road in the dark."

"No we can't," she winked, nudging him playfully. "Especially with your driving skills!"

"Oh, now THAT hurts!" he pouted, eyes twinkling.

"Now you pouting is like a fish with feathers," she rolled her eyes.

"Besides...I bought you something," he whispered. "And if you don't wear it, I'll be crushed."

"Oh man," she grinned.

Steve interrupted them, with a smile on his face, "Gene, a minute?"

"You've got it," Gene said, giving Steve a bit of a hard look.

"Gene, I just wanted to say something to you," Steve Coronel said, folding his arms across his chest. "You can be an egotistical son of a bitch, but I just wanted you to know..."

"Not sure I'm the person you need to be saying it to, but go ahead," Gene said, steeling him for another reprimand.

"No hard feelings," Steve held out his hand. "After all you've got the life you always wanted, and hey, how many people can claim that."

He hesitated for a moment and regarded Steve. Slowly he held out his hand and shook Steve's firmly. Steve punched his arm and said, "After all, I'm not the SOB who has his every intimate detail told in a book... at least NOW I know the value of PRIVACY... talk about your life being an open book GENE..."

"Yeah, well some of us... don't mind sharing our view of the universe," Gene grinned.

"Gene, shut up," Terri said, stepping on his foot.

"Good woman," he whispered to Gene. "You hold onto this one... because considering the past..."

"I let Ray get away and this is my second chance. That right?" he grinned.

"Yes," Steve nodded. "Not that Ray minds the life she leads... but I think... there's a lot of Ray in Terri..."

"I agree with you there. Tough exterior hiding a soft core," Gene winked.

"Reminds me of someone else we know," Steve whispered. He looked around at the wedding reception.

"I'm still not sure that this is for me. It's got Paul written all over it, but ME? Flowers? Ave Maria? Crap...."Gene sighed. "Tiny little pieces of cake, with little bits of frosting. Damn things are small enough to cram in your mouth whole."

"No, you're not that sentimental Gene. You're a businessman, not a hopeless romantic." Steve shook his head. "You see things with monetary values, god love you. But hey, that's who you are. I just wanted to say that there were no hard feelings. Yeah I could hate you the rest of my life for firing us, but in a way you did me and the guys a favor."

"And speaking of which, you know Paul paid a damn fortune for this place.... And for Trynia's wardrobe and hair and shoes," Gene laughed. "I'm beginning to regret that I have a daughter."

"Well, which one?" Steve joked.

"My friend, you know that everything I've ever done has been motivated by a pursuit of women, money and fame. Wicked Lester just wasn't going to get me what I want. You're a hell of a man, Steve," said Gene. "And I'll never forget it."

"Thank you Gene," Steve said, with a nod. "Now get your woman and get the hell out of here."

"Hey, do me a big favor before you go. Terri and I have something private to discuss..."

"Sure," he nodded. "What?"

"And since I guess I'm sort of in charge of the loiters here now that Paulie is gone, would you do me the honor of watching this crowd and whipping them into shape if they misbehave?"

"Sure," Steve laughed. Gene fumbled in his pocket and handed his friend a business card.

"Leave it to us... we'll keep them in line," he winked.

"It was great as hell seeing you guys back here. The look on Paul's face said it all. By the way, the phone in the room will be off the hook, but here's my cell number if you need to get in touch with me," Gene said with a knowing wink. After all, this is the first Wicked Lester gig we've had in years."

"Thanks Gene," he says, shaking Gene's hand again, and slapping his back. Terri moved over again, with Ray next to her.

"Gene, are you done schmoozing with the guests?" she teased. Gene moved over to Terri, reaching his other hand to grasp Ray and kiss her cheek. Ray smiled at Gene.

"Beautiful women! What is it about me that I'm always surrounded by BEAUTIFUL women!" Gene pretended to groan. Ray waved at Steve, who winked at her.

"Gene, I was going to get going," Ray said to him. "Jeannie and me..."

He looked down at her sadly for a moment, "Shit, Ray, already?"

"Hey, what's with the waterworks, big guy?" she asked. "I am beginning to think you're a big ball of mush inside..."

"Let's just say, your daughter could do a HELL of a lot better job of getting out to see her old man more often. One friggin' day just doesn't cut it."

"I'll remember that," she smiled. "Considering Terri here doesn't mind it."

"Not at all," Terri says. Jeanie rushed over and stood near her parents, excited at what she had just overheard

"Dad, that would be great... could we mom?" she asks eagerly. Gene leaned down and hugged Jeannie tightly. She kissed his cheek and hugged him back. He reached into his wallet and placed a wad of bills in her hand.

"What's this?" Ray joked.

"Take it. I don't want to hear any bitching!" Gene said, shaking his head.

"Okay," Jeannie said, taking the money. "Hey, Mom is it okay if I go spend a bit of time with Shannon and..."

"Go ahead," Ray said. "They're oohing and ahing anyway. I'll come by later to pick you up..."

"Do me a favor, Ray. Ride into town and find a hotel room for the night, or stay here. I really want to see you both tomorrow," Gene urged. "As a matter of fact I'm going on a trip in two days... you guys want to come along? One damn night just isn't right," he looked at her with pleading eyes.

"Well I was going to stay in the guesthouse," Ray said. "Terri offered it to us."

"It's yours for as long as you want it. You even have a private pool out there."

"Thanks," she laughed. "We'll stick around. It's a few days till school starts up, and I have to go back to teaching geology again."

"And I won't even say a word if Jeannie wants to drink an alcoholic beverage or two" he teased as he tickled her side. Ray laughed and leaned up to kiss Gene quickly on the lips. He kissed her back, then hugged her close.

She stopped to whisper in his ear, "Don't let her get away Gene."

"As a matter of fact, as always, I have a plan" he whispered back and pinches her rear teasingly.

"Oh," Ray winked back. "Well then I can help Steve handle things here...Party's still in full swing."

Jeannie turned to Terri, and they hugged eagerly. Gene pointed to her and said, "Be good."

"Sure Dad," she laughed.

"You heard the man," Terri rested a hand on her hip.

"Sure Terri," she nodded, and kissed Gene one last time before joining her brothers and sisters.

"I'm still your father and I can bend you over my knee." he laughed, and kissed her cheek as well.

Ray said with a laugh, "Get out of here, you goon."

Gene patted Ray on the shoulder one final time and pulled Terri along. As he passed by Karen, he bumped into her and grinned. Terri laughed and lets Gene pull her away. He walked quickly toward the lobby, almost in a hurry to remove himself from the guests as soon as possible. Almost as if he wanted to separate himself from something unpleasant.

***

Terri asked, "Gene... what are you doing?"

"We need to get out of here quickly before someone else decides to chew our ears off," he smiled broadly at her.

"Well where do you suggest?" she asked.

"Just wait here" he said, rubbing his nose a moment. Confidently he strode up to the desk of the villa, for it was also a popular honeymooner's hotel.

"Oh all right," she pouted. "Don't take forever."

"Yes?" asked the desk attendant.

"Gene Simmons, I'm here concerning the room reservation for Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stanley/Eisen."

"Will they be canceling?"

"They will, but I won't. I'd like the key please and just keep the billing arrangements as made earlier."

"So... you're taking them over?" she asked. At this point Terri had come up beside Gene, eager to see what he was plotting. He cast her a saucy wink.

"Do you want anything sent up to the room?"

"Who wants to know?" he grinned cheesily. "Uhhhh.... Sheila, is it?"

"Yes," she smiled, knowing full well who he was, and how much money he represented. "We aim to please our guests here."

"Just make sure we're left alone, doll, that would be VERY pleasing to little old me."

"Sure," she nodded. "Any champagne or food, or luggage you need sent up?"

He reached into his wallet and handed her some bills. She opened her eyes wide at the denominations.

"Terri?" he grinned as he turned around. "Anything your little heart desires?"

"Chocolates," she said. "And plenty of them."

"Besides ME, of course," he grinned and winked at the counter ladies.

"Chocolates!" he said, as he pounded the desk in mock anger, "And plenty of them. And don't make them little tiny bridal crap chocolates. I want the real thing."

"And make sure you have some candles sent up... with a good supply of diet coke..." Terri added.

"Fresca too sir?" Sheila asked. "And chocolate chip cookies?"

"Yes, all of it. We'll take it all," he announced, pleased to see he had an audience.

"Right away," she said, and handed the key card over.

"I'll get a porter to have your luggage sent up... if you'll just let me know where it is..."

"What luggage?" Terri asked Gene.

"Shhhhhh. You'll ruin the surprise," he teased as he wrote down the license number and make of the limo they rode in. Terri glanced incredulously at him and laughed. She was still in her bridesmaid's gown, still all dolled up.

"Understood sir," she nodded. "Just go up the stairs and to the left..."

"Even better is the suitcases were in the limo YOU ladies rode in," Gene chuckled. "It was in your own damn carriage ride."

She was floored as she looked at Gene, mouth wide open, "You stinker!"

"Busted!" he chortled as he kissed her lightly.

"Gene Simmons if I didn't know you better I'd say you had planned this in ADVANCE!" she shook her head, resting her hand on her hip. He dragged her toward the stairs.

"Now, Hon, would I do such a thing?" he teased, only she noticed a slight nervousness about his manner. She laughed and took his hand, letting him lead her up the grand staircase.

"Well, if I didn't know how much you hated party crashers I'd say you called those reporters too!"