One Year Later…
La Belle Aurore Nursery
Wyatt cradled Ariane tenderly in his arms while Helen and Anna floated like hummingbirds next to him very curious about the new baby he held. Cautiously, they extended their little fingers to touch her.
“She sister?” asked Helen.
Wyatt smiled and nodded.
Giggling approvingly, they followed their daddy around the room.
Wyatt pointed into a crib by the window. “Now this handsome little fellow sleeping is your big brother Beau. Now he’s going to make a big deal about being born sooner than you. And even though there’s only three months difference between you two, you just humor him. Because no matter how much he kids and fights with you, he will always be there for you. Just like the rest of the family.”
Julie held up another baby next to Ariane.
“And this is your big sister Niki,” said Julie. “Your father calls her Nik-Nik, and unlike her blue-eyed blond-haired twin brother, she looks like her mother.”
“Gorgeous mother,” added Wyatt as Julie gave him an appreciative kiss.
On the other side of Wyatt, Heidi held out Tavi.
“Now your older sister Tavi looks like her mother…” Heidi smiled.
“Beautiful mother,” interrupted Wyatt as Heidi kissed him.
“And I hope you like to eat well,” added Wyatt. “Because, if Tavi is anything like her mother, she’ll be an artist in the kitchen.”
Wyatt walked to Gretchen rocking Sara by her crib. “This is your sister Sara and flying on my left is Helen, and on my right is Anna,” said Wyatt. “They were named after your three grandmothers and they have wings, just like your Daddy and your Mommy Gretchen.”
Julie and Heidi moved back to give Gretchen and Wyatt some room while they unfurled their wings. Julie thought she heard Ariane giggle a little. When they retracted them, it prompted another tiny giggle.
Wyatt held Ariane up for all to see.
“Now Tavi, Niki, Beau, Helen, Anna, and Sara, this is your new little sister Ariane,” said Wyatt showing off Ariane to the room. “That’s pronounced ah-ree-ahn. Be nice to her, she’s feisty, but a real darling. She has her mother’s green eyes but her daddy’s hair so she’s going to be a beauty like all of you.”
Ariane began to cry.
“I think she’s hungry,” said Heidi, sniffing Ariane’s behind. “We should take her to Claire at the hospital.”
“No, Claire’s sleeping,” said Julie. “I’ll handle it.”
Julie laid Niki in her crib. Then sitting, she unbuttoned her blouse, while Wyatt carefully transferred Ariane to Julie, who guided the hungry newborn’s mouth to a nipple. Gazing upwards at Wyatt, Julie smiled.
“Are you jealous, Daddy?” she asked.
Wyatt fibbed and said no.
While he watched Julie, Heidi, and Gretchen feed their hungry infants. Wyatt liked the way they were totally unselfish about caring for each other’s children. It’s what he liked about his family. Everybody looked out for each other, and nobody complained. To the outside world, they may be divas, but to Wyatt they were divine. Each of these children had at least four mommies taking care of them.
Ariane finished her meal and contentedly napped. Handing her to Wyatt, Julie buttoned up.
“I think we had better return Ariane before the hospital realizes we kidnapped our daughter,” said Julie.
“Feel better now, Daddy?” asked Heidi as she rubbed Wyatt’s arm.
Wyatt admired Ariane in his arms and nodded.
“Is Tavi happy?” he asked.
“She has a full little tummy,” replied Heidi.
“By the way Heidi has something she wants to tell you,” said Julie. “I’m going to go tell Tawny and Mag-R we’re taking off and leave you two alone for a minute.”
She nodded at Gretchen to follow. Helen and Anna followed Gretchen.
As the door closed, Heidi turned to Wyatt and grinned. “I’m pregnant again.”
A happy, goofy expression extended across Wyatt’s face.
Just then, Julie returned with a glass of Irish Whiskey and as Heidi took Ariane
from Wyatt, she handed the glass to him.
“So am I,” said Julie.
She put her arm around Heidi. “Seems Heidi and I have our fertility cycles synced,” said Julie. “So, no more drinking for us.”
She kissed Heidi.
Wyatt looked at the glass.
“It’s an Irish whisky double. Sit down and drink up, Daddy,” said Julie while Heidi grinned.
Wyatt sat, drank, and started counting on his fingers. He lost count, took another drink, and in a daze began counting again. He lost track again.
“Wow,” he stumbled. “I never ever imagined…”
Having left her birdies with Tawny and Mag-R, Gretchen pulled up a chair with Julie, Heidi, and sat around Wyatt.
“We’re getting worried about you,” said Julie, taking his hand. “You now have seven babies to look after.”
“Not to mention four wonderful wives to take care of,” added Heidi. “Two of which are pregnant again. And in several months Claire probably will probably be pregnant again too.”
“Are you saying I can’t do my job?” protested a tired Wyatt taking his hand away from Julie. “I think I’ve been doing a great job so far. Our children are well taken care of. None of you have had to lose any sleep at night. All of you get attentive sex, back rubs, foot massages…”
Heidi interrupted. “We’re not saying you haven’t been doing a…”
“So, what are you saying?” said Wyatt.
Julie looked at Gretchen on the other side of Wyatt.
“He’s tired and grumpy,” said Julie. “Could you take him to your plane of existence and explain it to him?”
Gretchen touched Wyatt’s hand while Julie counted, “one thousand one…”
Gretchen and Wyatt stood in a field of daffodils. On one side, mountains flowed with snow while the air felt crisp and cool against the baby blue sky. Laying among the flowers Gretchen beckoned her twenty-three-year-old husband to lay beside her. When Wyatt did, she rolled into his arms.
“Everyone thinks you are doing a wonderful job,” said Gretchen. “We are all very proud of you, Daddy.”
“Then why are you worried?” replied Wyatt as he enjoyed the fragrant smell of Gretchen’s hair and started to relax.
“We are not unhappy with anything you’re doing,” replied Gretchen. “We’re worried about the unintended happening. We’re concerned that you might burn out and we want to find a way to help you. That’s all.”
“I love being with our kids,” said Wyatt stubbornly. “I can handle everything.”
Gretchen rolled on top of Wyatt and kissed him. “Oh yeah, Inspector Morgen. Mystery me this. When was the last time you went surfing with Michael?”
“Uh…”
“Or did something purely for yourself. Like…go to Powell’s to buy yourself a bunch of books?”
“Uh…”
“Look, my love,” said Gretchen seriously while she rubbed her lower half against his. “We’re about to be the Lesbian Empire’s first ambassadors to Earth. You can’t do that and be Superdad and Superhusband all the time. You need some help, and you’re going to get it.”
“By the way, I’m going to the home world for training after Christmas, maybe February or March,” she added. “And I’m taking Helen, Anna, and Sara with me.”
Wyatt groaned.
“No complaining,” ordered Gretchen as she unbuckled Wyatt’s belt. You still have four other babies to take care of. However, right now I need some special Inspector Wyatt TLC.”
Julie stopped counting when Gretchen pulled back her hand from Wyatt’s.
“I know someone who might be worth interviewing to be my household and personal assistant,” said Wyatt, a little more relaxed.
“Good,” replied Julie. “We’ll talk about her tonight and start the interview process tomorrow. In the meantime, we’d better return Ariane.”
“Are we still going to Jake’s Seafood tonight?” asked Gretchen.
“Konrad got us an opened-ended reservation,” replied Julie. “We’ll all go and celebrate as soon as we return Ariane and make sure Claire is ok.”
Heidi handed Ariane to Julie. “You two go on. I want to talk with Gretchen for a minute.”
Julie touched Wyatt.
>Blue Light<
After they left, Heidi turned to Gretchen.
“You and Wyatt…uh…didn’t you?”
“Like two wild animals in-heat. How did you know?” asked Gretchen curiously.
“Julie almost made it to eight!” Heidi giggled. “No wonder he was so relaxed. You know I’ve never asked, but what’s it like when you two do it?”
Gretchen giggled with her sister. “It’s always magic, but sometimes the feathers can be a little bit of a mess.”
Keiko’s First Interview
A guard stood at the door when Keiko approached the room on the fifth floor of the hospital early the next morning. Keiko looked at the slip of paper the Powell’s store manager had given her and confirmed that she had the right room number. The guard examined her ID, then her, and then her ID again and finally nodded her in. When Keiko entered the room, Julie, Heidi, Gretchen, and Wyatt stood around Claire in bed admiring the newest addition to their family. Also, in the group were Konrad and Uncle Adam, along with Michael and Rachel. Wyatt spotted Keiko and guided her to Claire’s bed, where he politely introduced her to everyone.
“And this little lady,” said Wyatt with noticeable pride, “is Ariane. She was born about an hour after you dropped me off yesterday.”
“So, I heard,” said Keiko, smiling at Ariane. “It was all over the news last night.”
Keiko held out her arms. “Madame L’otarie,” asked Keiko in French. “May I hold Ariane?”
“Do you know how to hold her?” asked Claire.
“I had four younger brothers and sisters,” replied Keiko.
Claire carefully handed Ariane to Keiko. Keiko cradled Ariane in her arms and gently rocked her while she sang softly in Japanese.
“Uh oh…” Keiko sniffed. “I think Ariane has made a mess.”
Keiko set Ariane gently on the changing table next to the bed. She cleaned her hands with sanitizer and unfastened Ariane’s diaper. When she had finished cleaning Ariane, Keiko refastened a clean diaper and turned to Wyatt.
“Your daughter is beautiful,” said Keiko in German to Wyatt.
“How many languages do you speak?” asked Heidi as Keiko dumped the dirty diaper into the waste can.
“Four,” bubbled Keiko at an appreciative clean re-diapered Ariane. “I’ve always had an affinity for learning and adaptation.”
Claire motioned for Ariane.
Everyone nodded at Julie, and Julie nodded to Konrad.
“Keiko, let’s go outside and talk,” requested Konrad.
After saying goodbye to everyone, Keiko walked into the hallway with Konrad.
“Did I pass the first test?” asked Keiko.
Konrad studied her for a moment. “I have something for you to organize,” he said.
Keiko’s Second Interview
Wyatt’s second visit to Powell’s had morphed into something much greater than he had originally expected. And although the overall strategy of the event came from Konrad at Julie’s request, Keiko Elizabeth Yomura organized the details. Powell’s advertised the event as a combination book signing and joint fundraiser for the ASPCA and the Otter Rock Women’s Fund. Ian this time would be accompanied by his wives, Julie Ardennes, Heidi Z, and not wanting to miss out on the fun, Claire L'otarie. Gretchen had opted out so she could do protocol training with Glorb-O on his ship.
So many people indicated that they wanted to attend the event that Powell’s worried that it might interfere with their regular customers, so Keiko rented an empty storefront next door. Wood tables had been set up and comfortable cushy chairs provided, along with a backdrop for pictures with Julie.
Outside, volunteers distributed a pricelist for autographs and pictures and reminded everyone that proceeds went to two deserving charitable causes—generosity gratefully appreciated.
If one bought a book, Ian would sign it for free. Signing a shirt, of course, extra, as were pictures and autographs taken with Julie, Ian, Claire, and Heidi. For $250 you could purchase the grande package with included yourself in a Morgen family picture autographed by everyone along with a book plus have your shirt signed.
To provide security to help with the crowd, Keiko had recruited six ladies from a local women’s defense club. Large ominous burly men Keiko believed would distract from the fun spirit of the event. Besides, each of the six pleasantly dressed courteous women could easily take care of any situation that might arise. Keiko stationed them around the front entrance to help people through her setup.
Keiko had also arranged with a Starbucks around the corner to contribute fresh brewed coffee to be served by ASPCA volunteers who roamed along a long and growing line that snaked around the corner and up the block. And to further help the cause, if a participant bought one of the more expensive items of the day, Starbucks contributed coupons good for a free drink. So that people weren’t inconvenienced or lost their place in line, ten porta-pottys had been strategically located along the street paid for by the Morgens.
Precisely at 12:30 p.m. the limousine that Keiko had arranged arrived at the hotel to pick up the ménage quatre plus the sleeping, uncaring guest of honor, green-eyed Ariane.
When the limousine arrived at the storefront, besides a long line of people, on the opposite side of the doorway just beyond a roped off area of the sidewalk waited four young women vehemently chanting and waving signs. At first, Wyatt thought they were fans. But as the limo got closer, he realized they were rhythmically chanting...
—FREE TEDDY NOW!
—FREE TEDDY NOW!
—FREE TEDDY NOW!
Printed on one side of the signs they held…FREE TEDDY…while on the other side:
IAN = SATAN
ARIANE DAUGHTER OF SATAN
JULIE ARDENNES LIES
IAN + JULIE + HEIDI + GRETCHEN + CLAIRE = SIN! SIN! SIN! SIN! SIN!
Julie stared angrily out the window at the protesters. “Fuck them! Fuck Teddy! I refuse to give in to them! How about the rest of you?”
“How dare they insult my sweet little Ariane? What did she ever do to them?” snarled a pissed off and protective Claire as she rocked her sleeping baby. “They can fuck off!” muttered Claire in French.
“We four are married. We all have children together. We are family,” reminded Heidi. “So, fuck them! Fuck them! Fuck Them!”
Arianne woke, gurgled, and promptly fell asleep again.
“See, even the newest member of our family agrees!” Claire laughed. “Fuck them!”
“So, it’s agreed?” said Julie.
“Un pour tous, tous pour un,” said Claire.
Everyone looked at each other. “Un pour tous, tous pour un!”
“Ok,” said Julie, “I see a TV news crew, and this is what we are going to do…”
Keiko opened the limo door. Ian stepped out first. Then Claire with Ian helping her. Afterwards, Heidi carefully handed Ariane to Claire. Upon seeing Ariane, a cheer arose from the crowd and Claire waved. Heidi came next, and then to another loud cheer, Julie. The four ignored the protesters and worked the waiting line of people, greeting, waving and thanking everyone they met for coming.
The first lady in line asked if she could get a picture of Claire and Ariane.Claire started to pose with Ariane in front of the door but stopped and turned to the protester who carried a sign that read ARIANE DAUGHTER OF SATAN.
“Could you hold your sign a little lower?” Claire smiled politely. “This lady can’t seem to get it in the picture with Ariane and I.”
The lady obliged and lowered the sign so the picture could be taken.
“Thank you. That was sweet of you.” Claire widened her smile. “By the way,” said Claire quietly to the protester, “Ian is not Satan. But Satan is his best friend. They surf together. I’ll introduce you if he drops by later. In the meantime, I would ditch the sign. He might turn you into a frog if he sees it!”
Claire entered the store waving. The protester, a little stunned, waved back and was summarily lightly slapped up the back of her head by their stout redheaded leader who studied Julie and Wyatt with cloudy opportunistic eyes.
Wyatt, Julie, and Heidi followed Claire while they continued to wave. Inside, Keiko briefed everyone on how she had organized the assembly line charity event. At the door stood a cashier who would tally what the participant wanted, charge them, and give them a voucher. Afterwards they would be guided to the different stations by a volunteer who would also help move everything speedily along.
First station belonged to Ian with stacks of books who would be flanked by Heidi on one side and Claire in a big comfy chair.
Next to Julie’s station stood a blue screen backdrop. Stacked on a table next to it were preprinted 8 x 10 pictures of Julie or for an extra fifty dollars a professional photo with her that would be immediately printed with your choice of background and signed by Julie.
Behind Claire, Keiko provided a screened off area that had been provided with a crib for Ariane and a chair for discrete feedings.
Soon everything and everyone seemed ready to go. Keiko was about to give the signal to open the front door when Wyatt turned towards the signing table. Suddenly a flash of metal slashed through the air. Wyatt’s reflexes were quick enough to deflect, but not quick enough to avoid. His left shoulder erupted with an immediate surge of pain.
“FREE TEDDY!”
Three dead Russian soldiers lay next to his panzer. His hand held an empty pistol and two live Russians circled him with bayonets. Blood and pain trickled from where the bayonet had punctured his shoulder. Herr Oberst threw his empty pistol at one of the Russians. Then he pulled out his knife and held it in their direction.
“Ivan Scheisse!”1 he screamed.
Heidi saw the trance-like expression on Wyatt’s face and realized his wings were about to emerge.
“Herr General, stand fast!” shouted Heidi in German. “Stand fast!”
Hearing Heidi’s voice, Wyatt quickly recovered. He looked downwards toward the pain and drew four inches of steel from his right shoulder. The wound oozed blood as he threw the knife to the floor. Heidi held a cloth to the cut and guided Wyatt to a nearby chair while Julie ran frantically in his direction, and ordered Keiko to call 911.
“Is everyone ok?” asked Wyatt, taking deeps breathes. “You? Julie? Claire? Ariane?”
“Everyone except you!” replied Heidi in tears.
“I’m going to kill Teddy,” shouted Julie.
“Enough!” ordered Wyatt. “We’re not going to let that fucker beat us today.”
Wyatt pointed. “Heidi, get me something clean I can hold on the wound until the para-medics get here. Julie, get me my jacket.”
As Wyatt pressed a wad of napkins tightly to the wound with his left hand, he instructed Julie to lay his jacket across his shoulders to hide everything. Then he defiantly addressed his ladies, and Keiko.
“Mes amours, it’s only a meaty shoulder wound, no arteries. I refuse to allow Teddy to win today. I will stay here until there are no more books to sign, and I will stay here until there are no more pictures to take. It’s probably no use, me asking you all to return to the hotel? Is it?”
The three shook their heads. At that moment Ariane giggled as if to say “me too” bringing a smile and a welcome bit of humor back to the group, especially Daddy.
Wyatt turned to Keiko. “Keiko, what happened?” asked Wyatt, grimacing.
“Looks like she snuck in last night and hid in one of the closets,” said Keiko, looking embarrassed. “In the confusion, she escaped out the back door. This was planned.”
“This isn’t your fault,” said Wyatt, trying to make her feel better. “None of us were expecting this. But now we know. So, let’s be careful from now on. Keep my family safe! That’s all that matters to me.”
“Yes, sir,” replied a determined and relieved Keiko.
Wyatt signaled for the event to begin. “Ok,” announced Wyatt, “the people outside have waited long enough. The show must go on.”
Down the Street
Stella stabbed, shouted, and raced out the back door while everyone, in the confusion, crowded around Wyatt. Her mission complete, adrenaline flushed through her system like an over-pressurized fire hose. Down the alley at the end of the next street her old tan sedan waited for her, Stella the conquering hero, the first one to strike a blow for poor suffering holy Teddy. Dare she hope that maybe, when they did free Teddy that he would remember Stella was the first to strike a blow and reward her with the sacred touch.
“Imagine being a bearer of the holy seed!” she whispered.
In the distance, she heard a siren as she threw open the car door. Stella fumbled her keys, but after a few seconds she found the right one. Thrusting it into the steering column, Stella twisted. The sedan roared to life.
>Blue Light<
Suddenly, the engine died.
Commander Pinky in the passenger seat growled into Stella’s terrified pale face.
“You are under arrest for the attempted murder of an official and citizen of the United Lesbian Empire!”
Later
Signing the photo, Julie thanked the woman for supporting the sponsored charities. It had been three hours since the event had begun. She watched Wyatt at the station beside her still working hard. He signed, he smiled, and then he posed for photos. Julie feared his wave of adrenaline would run out. When he didn’t think anyone watched, Wyatt would close his eyes, wince, and began again.
So that he had a clear head with the fans, Wyatt had refused painkillers after the para-medics stitched him up. Julie wanted to cry, she knew that he must be in a lot of pain. She remembered him getting shot at school and how much he would endure for others. Whenever she could, Julie would let her fingers wander through his hair and kiss his ear. Afterwards, she would return to her station and when she wasn’t smiling or greeting people, Julie would plot to destroy the convict who had hurt their husband.
Heidi sat next to Wyatt and did everything she could to make him feel comfortable. If he needed anything, she would get it. To remind him of how much she loved him, Heidi would rub Wyatt’s leg and whisper sweetly into his ear. Smiling, Wyatt would keep going. But when Stella stabbed Wyatt, she had stabbed Heidi too and the pain wouldn’t go away.
Gretchen arrived immediately after it happened next to Julie, puzzling Keiko as to how she got past everyone. After discussing the situation with Julie, and knowing her Inspector would never give up, Gretchen sat on the other side of Wyatt. When she saw him fatiguing, Gretchen would gently touch Wyatt’s hand for a moment and give him a short rest in their world.
Meanwhile, a tired Claire cradled and gently rocked Ariane, the star of the show. Pictures of her were free and everyone, it seemed, wanted a picture of her with mommy. Claire wondered if thirty years hence, Ariane would wonder why so many pictures existed in the world of her in a small shop front in Portland. When she did, Claire hoped that Ariane would know how happy and proud her parents and family were of her on that day. However, in between her pleasant happy thoughts about Ariane, Claire would gain eye contact with Julie, Heidi, Gretchen, and together the four would silently, as one mind, plot an actor’s demise.
Keiko, in the meantime, overcompensated for what she saw as her carelessness, and relentlessly did everything she could to make up for it. After the attack on Wyatt, Keiko carefully scrutinized every person that came into the event and every movement they made with a thorough visual examination. Keiko liked this family and wanted to be a part of its future especially after she discovered earlier how understanding Wyatt could be. Analytical in his reactions under stress, and not knee-jerk, she liked working with him.
Across Town
From a balcony eight stories up, Big Red peered through a small pair of binoculars at the tan Sedan a block away. It didn’t smell right. She didn’t expect Stella to get away. Now she was waiting at the rendezvous point. Stella didn’t have Big Red’s real name or cell phone number, so she didn’t worry about being tracked. However, pondering her situation, she came to a murderous decision.
“Better safe than sorry,” she said aloud.
Reaching into her bag, Big Red pulled out a remote. Then, closing her eyes, she raised her countenance to the heavens and held the device towards the Sedan in the distance.
“May the blessings of holy Teddy Weddy Bear be upon you,” prayed Big Red.
She pushed a button.
Nothing.
Big Red flipped the switch again, again, and again.
Still nothing.
Suddenly, behind her.
>Blue Light<
When Big Red turned, Sergeant Stripe and two Order of the Golden Labrador soldiers confronted her.
“Thank you for letting us know your location,” snarled Sergeant Stripe, “You are under arrest for conspiracy in the attempted murder of a citizen and official of the United Lesbian Empire.”
Big Red backed up and threw the remote at the three soldiers. In her rush to escape, she accidently tripped on a chair and crashed over the balcony railing.
She fell only three stories before…
>Blue Light<
…and then found herself on the floor of a non-descript little white plastic room. Commander Pinky flexed her claws at a chair.
“SIT!”
Betty Boots
“In today’s news,” began the TV anchor, “the highly anticipated book signing/fundraiser for Ian Morgen sponsored by Powell’s Books and attended by his wives, famed singer Julie Ardennes, restaurateur Heidi Z, and Claire L'otarie CEO and owner of the L'otarie fashion empire, was marred by a knife attack against Ian Morgen. Witnesses say the female attacker emerged from a hiding place in the back, stabbed Ian Morgen in the shoulder shouting ‘FREE TEDDY’ and then quickly disappeared out the rear of the storefront. Police are now searching for the assailant and the other Free Teddy protesters.
“Ian Morgen was unwilling to go to the hospital for treatment and paramedics stitched him up on site so the event could go on as planned. The event went four hours past its scheduled time until nine o’clock and raised over $250,000 to be split between the local ASPCA and the Otter Rock Fund for Women. News reporter Betty Boots is on the scene.”
Betty Boots: Hi Julie, I understand it’s been a good night for charity
Julie Ardennes: Over a quarter of a million raised. We’re all very happy with the results.
Betty Boots: Are the four of you going to be doing this for this for the rest of Ian’s book tour?
Julie Ardennes: We are happy to say yes we are, Betty. We heard from the remaining bookstores in Seattle, San Francisco, and L.A that there is a very high demand, so our family is happy to accommodate in order to aid in charitable causes. Stores in five other major cities have also expressed interest, and we’re going to try and accommodate everyone.
Betty Boots: When you say family, you mean yourself, Ian, Heidi, Claire, and Gretchen.
Julie Ardennes: Yes.
Betty Boots: Could you tell us a little about that? That is, the relationship between the five of you.
Julie Ardennes: Gretchen is married to Ian directly. Ian, Claire, Heidi, and I are married to each other. Though the U.S. doesn’t recognize the commitment ceremony, we wear marriage bands and consider ourselves married and a family. Together we are parents to seven children.
Betty Boots: I see you brought your latest addition today.
Julie Ardennes: That’s Ariane. We are so proud of her. Isn’t she beautiful?
Betty Boots: Yes, beautiful. And Ian, Heidi, Gretchen, and yourself delivered her?
Julie Ardennes: Yes, our family is adaptive and versatile. We’re there for each other. That’s what binds us together.
Betty Boots: Along with the great sex…I read the book.
Julie Ardennes: No comment.
Betty Boots: By the way you’re smiling, I’m going to take that as a yes. But putting that aside, tell me about the attack on Ian today.
Julie Ardennes: A woman hid herself in the building. Just after we arrived she stabbed Ian, shouted “Free Teddy” and ran out the back door in the confusion before anyone thought to stop her.
Betty Boots: And the family decided to keep going?
Julie Ardennes: As a family, we decided not let fanatics and lunatics win and deprive the people outside, who waited in line so long, of a chance to contribute to two worthy charities.
Betty Boots: And Ian turned down going to the hospital?
Julie Ardennes: One of the things we love Ian for is his relentless dedication.
Betty Boots: Do you blame Teddy for the attack on Ian?
Julie Ardennes: I don’t know what to think. But I’ll tell you this. If I had to do it over again, I would never have written that stupid—bleep—bleep—song!