A Plan of Troubles
Spoilers: All Seasons and Episodes
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Audrey's beginning story (you'll understand as the story progresses).
Nathan sat at his desk finishing his paperwork while Audrey and Jennifer worked on the wedding planning. He and Duke were staying well away from that planning party, they knew better since Audrey and Jennifer had practically banished them after their first input session a week before. Apparently that day was the date with florist to pick out flowers although he already knew she'd choose lilies and orchids.
"Dude you have to help me." Duke walked into Nathan's office and sat down on the couch. Nathan looked up from his paperwork. "Jennifer insisted that this engagement party be perfect and she left a list longer than a shopping trip. I know it's your engagement party but I need help man."
Looking at the paperwork Nathan knew that Duke won't ask unless he was desperate. Closing files he nodded, "okay what do you need help with?"
"Here is half of it." Duke stood and tore a list in half, handing it over. "I can get the food a bit easier than you but can you take care of the set up as well as cloth design. I think she put a name with that one."
Duke and Nathan set out to work on their own lists, knowing that Audrey and Jennifer would be doing their own thing. They agreed to meet up at The Grey Gull to get everything set up for that evening.
Halfway through the food prep trip Duke accidently ran into someone, he turned and helped the woman with the groceries that fell. "I am so sorry."
"It is perfectly fine." The woman smiled as they both stood, "nothing was harmed."
"Duke Crocker, I own The Grey Gull out on the edge of the bay."
The woman shook his head, "Jess Minnion, I just returned to Haven after months on Montreal."
"Really, Nathan mentioned you a while ago." Duke shrugged, "he's having his engagement party this evening at The Grey Gull around 8. You should come, you two are friends right?"
She nodded, "something like that, Nathan is getting married?"
"The fact you don't know that shows you've been out of Haven for a while. It's two month old news, he's been engaged for two months and everyone is looking forward to the wedding. My girlfriend is helping with the wedding, she roped me into this."
"I shall be there but please do not say anything to Nathan, I do not wish to cause conflict before I arrive."
Duke placed a hand on her arm, "I shall not speak a word of this."
Nathan was going through photos when arms wrapped around his neck, he smiled as said person kissed his cheek. "How was flower shopping?" He turned his head to see Audrey looking at him.
"Settled on orchids and lilies after hours of not liking anything else." She pulled back and placed her hands on his shoulders. "You were right, about knowing what I would choose so you win that bet."
"Uh huh, well all I have to say is that I know you very well." He looked at her as she pushed the table back a bit and sat on his lap, taking his face in her hands as she kissed him. Nathan rubbed his hand down her back as he pulled. "Help me find a picture for the coordinator, I can't decide on one."
Audrey turned slightly and picked up a few pictures, thumbing through them quickly before settling on the one from the high school reunion. It had been snapped by the photographer that had been there, given to them a few months before when he'd heard they'd become engaged.
"This one."
Nathan took it from her, "that has to be one of my favorites."
"It's my favorite."
"Then it's the one we will use." Nathan leaned his head against hers and kissed her shoulder. "Duke came by in a panic, apparently Jennifer is going a bit overboard and he needed help. He was practically begging me."
She laughed and continued to look through photos of them, "they are good for each other."
"Yeah they are," Nathan smiled and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. "Just don't tell Duke I admitted to it or I will never hear the end of it." Another kiss was placed on her shoulder. "I love you, more than I could ever say."
"I know," Audrey placed the photos down and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting her blue eyes meet his. "I've always loved you and I always will."
The engagement part went off without an issue, which in Haven was a near miracle. Duke and Jennifer greeted people at the door of The Grey Gull as Nathan and Audrey made rounds both apart and separate. It seemed like a lot of people were there to greet and congratulate them, even some of The Guard. They knew it was a gesture of goodwill by Vince, to let them know The Guard didn't see a problem with them being together.
"Thank you so much for coming." Audrey smiled as she shook Ellen Marlin's hand, the woman had been one of her Troubled cases but had been cured when Audrey had ended the original Troubles.
"Well my husband and I agreed that after everything you've done, we need to be here to support you. I'll tell you something Audrey, we never thought Nathan would find someone but we're glad he did so thank you."
Audrey nodded, "I'm the lucky one, he's quite the catch."
Nathan found Audrey looking at the enlarged photo of them dancing at the reunion. He placed his hand on her back and she moved in closer to him. "In those few minutes it was magical." Nathan watched her smile at his comment. "Sure you weren't working your magic on me then?"
"Shut up." She shook her head and took the glass of champagne he handed her. "I want to frame it and put it on the wall of our home, well when we get a home."
"That's another thing we should discuss later." He kissed her head, "why not get back to the party."
They returned to the party and were talking to Dave and Vince about the wedding when an old face walked over to greet them. "May I offer my congratulations?"
Both turned to see Jess, Audrey smiled. "Jess what are you doing back?"
"I needed the semi-quiet of Haven, or as quiet as it can get with The Troubles. Montreal was just too busy for me and there was a spot opening up at the hospital so I accepted." She held out her arms, "I wish to congratulate you both on your engagement."
"That means a lot, thank you." Nathan nodded to her, "shall we be seeing you around?"
She smiled at him, "at the hospital yes. I have no doubt since The Troubles often lead to there."
"Actually you don't have to worry about them." Dave smiled as he placed a hand up. "Audrey here ended The Troubles, well most of them."
Audrey shook her head, "I told you guys that the curse of The Troubles was directed to those families there at the witch's burning. It was unknown that all families of Haven would be affected, ending it only affected those who were present at the burning." She shrugged, "I'm working on trying to figure out the rest, for now Jennifer and I are healing them one by one."
"I hear that Miss Jennifer is now healing on her own." Vince nodded, "Megan Donnell praised her last week on her skill. Said she was just like her mother in the art."
Nathan chuckled, "that she is, if you'll excuse me I have to go remove Duke's arm for handling my daughter like that." He kissed Audrey's head and moved over to where Duke and Jennifer were in the corner kissing.
"Nathan Wuornos you leave them alone." Audrey spoke and he turned to her, almost begging in his eyes but she pointed. "Get your butt over here right now and leave them alone."
"Daughter?" Jess chuckled, "I weren't aware you had a daughter Nathan."
Vince chuckled, "Jennifer Mason is a young woman Nathan and Audrey have taken under their wing, she had a very unique Trouble and she has become like a daughter to them. As far as Nathan is concerned, Jennifer is his daughter."
"Weren't you telling me earlier that they were good for each other?" Audrey pulled Nathan over by the arm. "You need to leave them alone, let them be as crazy as we were. I remember a certain someone turning a picnic on the beach into more."
"Can we not announce that in public please?" Nathan shook his head, "you have no sense sometimes."
Audrey chuckled, "I was trapped in a barn for 324 years, I think losing some common sense at times is expected. The same can't be said about you Mr. Former-Injury-Magnet, you have no reason to have lost common sense."
"That's debatable, I've been shot and stabbed too many times. Just months ago I had a rifle pointed at my head before someone decided to threaten to shoot everyone."
"I had just jumped across dimensions and the first thing I see when I arrive in Haven again is you and The Guard having a show down." Audrey shook her head, "of course I threatened everyone."
Jess narrowed her eyes, "may I ask what you're talking about, it makes no sense."
Audrey smirked, "long story short…it's Haven, nothing makes sense." Everyone seemed to once again accept that statement before the conversation ended as Jennifer started making an toast.
A/N: For some strange reason the line 'it's Haven, nothing makes sense' is probably what everyone can agree on. I mean, it is Haven and nothing does make sense.
I thought about it being Jordan instead of Jess but I figured there was too much bad blood there. Should I bring Jordan back or not? What should be next, a Haven wedding or something where Audrey and Nathan nearly kill Duke? I have a very good idea for that story line...