1602 Words this chapter

Chapter Twenty-One: Apologies

The next day, Jess went about apologizing to everyone. Abby and Emily happily accepted. They were delighted that she'd made decisions, edited her elaborate plans, and even given up some control to them.

"You're alright with doing extra work?" she asked them.

Abby scoffed. "That's what we're here for."

"Indeed. We have not helped much."

"Which is why you've been so stressed," said Abby.

"Yes, and now you appear much more relaxed," said Emily.

Jess nodded. "Becker helped me see my foolishness of agonizing over the whole thing and pushing people who care away."

They smiled.

"We are still here," said Emily. She hugged the bride-to-be.

Abby nodded. "You bet. Although, for a while, I wondered why," she said with a smirk.

Jess groaned. "I'm so sorry."

Abby laughed. "We forgive you."

"We do."

Jess smiled. "Thank you. Well, I've apologized to the florist and the venue site, I just need to apologize to Bernie." She bit her lip. "He'll accept, won't he?"

Abby smiled. "He will. We all knew that wasn't you."

"But I was so awful. I'm really lucky you all forgive me. What if he doesn't? He's such a good friend."

"Which is why he will," said Abby.

Emily nodded. "Indeed. That is why I showed considerable restraint by not incapacitating you."

Jess giggled. "Yes, you did. Thank you."

"You are welcome."

"Alright," Jess said. "Now or never." She got up to find Bernie. He was in the canteen of course. "Bernie?" she winced as she saw him shudder at the sound of her voice. "Hi."

He managed a smile. "Miss Parker."

She sighed. "I...I'm so sorry for how I've been harassing you."

He laughed. "You've been...a bit particular."

"That's a nice way of saying it." They laughed. "No more, Bernie."

"Good."

"After...this one change."

He moaned.

"I promise, last one."

"I've heard that before," he said, looking away from her.

She frowned. Bernie was never upset. She'd done this to the poor man. "Instead of all my crazy ideas for the sculptures of us, could we just have a simple letter 'J' and letter 'B?' Made out of chocolate, and maybe elegant and pretty, but classic. Not too much fuss and detail, I mean."

Bernie smiled. He chuckled. "No elaborate dress pattern?"

She blushed. "No."

"I think that would be nice. I will make each letter represent each of you: manly and refined for the Captain's 'B' and lovely and sweet for your 'J."

"Sweet? You still think that applies to me?"

He nodded and smiled. "Yes, Miss Parker, I do."

She kissed him on his cheek. "You're the best, Bernie. No more doubts or second guesses. I trust you. In fact, go ahead and make the menu however you want it."

His eyes lit up. "Do you mean that, Miss Parker?"

She nodded. "You've fed me and Becker for years, as well half the guest list. You know our tastes better than we do. I trust you, Bernie. I honestly do, even if I forgot that for a moment."

Bernie set the cloth he was holding down and rustled in his apron pocket. He brought out a handkerchief and blotted his eyes. "I'm deeply moved, Miss Parker. Thank you," he said, his voice laced with emotion. He smiled. "I will make the cake and menu to the best of my ability."

"I know," she said, tears beginning to form in her eyes as well. "I'm very sorry for going crazy."

He chuckled. "I forgive you."

She smiled.

"I think you need some chocolate," he said, moving behind the lunch counter where he handed her a brownie with a wink.

"Thank you, Bernie. I will see you later."

He nodded. "I look forward to your smile, as always."

She blushed and grinned her old, not crazy 'Jess' smile for him and left, leaving him for the first time in a long while, in peace.

Jess had one more thing to do. She was done stressing. It was time to make decisions. She'd delegated many of them to Emily and Abby, but there was one choice only she could make.

She strolled into the armory. Becker saw her and went to her.

"Sorry, honey, I'm not here for you."

Vale chuckled loudly. "Sorry, Jess, but it's too late. I can't break the Cap's heart by taking you away from him."

Bilson hit him on the head. "Stop making a fool out of yourself."

"Me? You just took a swipe at your superior officer!"

Becker laughed. "I'll testify that he deserved it, Bill."

"Thank you, Sir."

Jess giggled. "Actually, Bill, uh, Nicole, it's you I'm here to see."

"Oh?"

Jess smiled. "I've been, a little crazy lately," she said, trading an amused grin with Becker, "but I've made my mind up concerning some of my wedding plans. I, um...would you be my last bridesmaid?"

Becker broke into a wide grin.

Nicole teared up and threw her arms around Jess. "Of course, I will. I'd be delighted."

"No..." whined Vale.

"I'm sorry, but you weren't in contention," said Jess, making Becker howl.

Vale screwed his face up into a scowl. "I'm upset because if she's with you in the bridal party then she can't sit with me."

"Aw..."

"Yeah, Jess it would be sweet," said Nicole, glaring at Vale. "If he had bothered to ask me."

"What? You...rascal," said Jess. "You just assume she'll go with you?"

Vale smiled his dazzling, brighter than white, toothy grin. "Duh. Of course. Anyway, I was going to ask, closer to the date..."

"Right," said Nicole with an unbelieving scoff. "Forget it. I'm in," she said to Jess, hugging her again. "Thank you."

Jess laughed. "Thank you! I have to go. I'll call you later. We'll have to move to get your dress in time, but it's all picked out and everything. They just need your size."

Nicole nodded. "Just let me know. Whatever you need, when you need it."

Jess smiled, and turned to Becker. "Boy, when you move in the right direction, you move," Becker said.

She giggled. "Well, I have all these new shoes someone let me charge on their cards."

He laughed. "Yeah, let's go some place dark and private, and discuss ways you can make it up to me." She giggled again and walked out with Becker.

Vale stared at Bilson. "I was serious."

"So was I. Ask me."

"I can't now!"

She rolled her eyes. "I won't be busy the whole time. We managed to have a good time and even a few dances at Abby and Connor's wedding and I was on duty!"

Vale smiled. "Yeah, that was...I enjoyed it."

Bilson smiled. "Me too."

"Of course, I hope you dress better this time."

She put her hand to her face and groaned. She'd been wearing her uniform at that wedding like the other troops called in to deal with the uninvited 'guests' that came through the anomaly. "I'm sure I'll look amazing," she said, as Vale smirked. "Jess has excellent taste. She'll dress us well."

He growled slightly. "Sorry, I got a sudden vision of you in something I'd like to dress you in."

She sighed, shaking her head. "You can be so creepy sometimes." She turned from him.

Vale grabbed her arm. He dropped his bravado for a second and stepped close. "Nicole, would you be my date for Cap's wedding? Please? Even though I know you could find someone better. I honestly don't think I can." He dropped his head shyly. "I don't want to try."

She smiled, honestly and brightly. "And then you can be so sweet. I think that sounds lovely Bobby. I'd like to go with you." She raised her eyebrow slightly and added, "If you leave the creep at home."

He laughed. "I'll try."

"You can do it."

He chuckled, then looked around. He leaned in and gave her a light peck on the lips.

She stared at him, a bit startled, then smiled softly and moved closer. She reached out for his cheek and he moved his arm around her back. They leaned their heads toward each other.

Then Becker walked back in and they broke away. "Stupid Lester, he would come and drag Jess away just as we were looking for somewhere to..." He stopped speaking. They were staring at him oddly. "Is...everything...OK?"

Bilson nodded. Vale smirked. "Sure, why wouldn't it be?"

Becker looked at them. "I don't know...you're...not trading insults at each other?"

"Oh, you know...the whole wedding thing," said Vale. "It's got us all calm...like music and the savage beast?"

Becker looked at him and then at the slightly blushing Bilson. "Right."

"I, um, have rounds...to make," Bilson said, pushing past Vale, then Becker. When she was behind the Captain she looked back at Bobby and smiled.

He smiled back. Becker caught it and turned back to Bilson but she had moved. The captain turned back to Vale.

"What?" asked the lieutenant.

"That's what I was wondering," Becker said with a grin. "You and Bill, are you, uh, getting close?"

Vale's mouth opened and nothing came out.

"You're speechless. I don't think that's happened before," said Becker with big, teasing grin.

"Honestly, Cap, I think this wedding stuff is getting to your head," Vale said, moving deeper into the armory and suddenly finding an EMD fascinating.

Becker laughed. "I think it's getting to you too," he muttered.

End of Chapter Twenty-One