AN: This took longer than I thought, delays with health issues, glad to be back to finish this. The Wedding will be tomorrow then this will be complete.
The two huge mahogany and brass doors fitted with sheets of frosted glass opened to the Lark Hotel lobby. A tiny lark was carved in the wood at the top of each door. Joss and her mother, Janet Jones, slowly entered the luxury boutique hotel. A view of an Audubon painting of a lark hung directly over the registration desk. The lobby was a lush garden. Audubon paintings of birds hung from each wall. Each picture was placed between potted trees and hanging ferns and flowering plants. The honey and cream color scheme extended through the tweed patterned carpets and tiles floors up to the moire silk-papered walls. The color scheme continued to the overstuffed curved high back caramel colored chairs surrounding round mahogany tables creating cozy booths in the lobby and the Aviary, dining room. The ceilings where painted sky blue with clouds and tiny birds in flight. Indirect lighting that changed with the time of day cast a soft glow over everything. Janet thought "not a church, but it is nice."
John sat in a booth at the back wall of the dining room. He quickly saw Joss, immediately he began thinking he couldn't wait to see her in a white dress tomorrow. He watched Joss, and her mother walk through the lobby. His lips curved in a knowing glance at the similar appearance of both women. Janet had the same eyes she had given her daughter but her face was slender and cautious, her hair, black, tightly pulled back into a small bun at the nape of her neck. John had researched her background and watched her before. He knew she was an accountant, analytical by trade and nature. They both had the same body. Janet wore a fitted sleeveless azure blue shirt dress with tiny blue buttons down the front from the collar to the full skirt's hem. Like Joss, she looked 20 years younger than the 59 years he knew her to be. 18 years older than her daughter. Joss's father had died in a car accident 4 years ago. He watched the older woman thinking, "You won't be meeting me in a hospital bed." His lips curved upward, proud of himself.
He thinks, "My love, I am ready, I took only 1 of the pain pills to sit here, and I'll take the others beginning at 6 am tomorrow when I will be 24 hrs without a fever. I will stand up without a cane at our wedding! I've done well so far. The ring is engraved. My tux is fitted with Finch picked appropriate accessories." He rubs his ring finger thinking of how Joss measured it while he was sedated and asleep.
Janet sat next to John and told Joss to get them coffee and lunch since she must know what they liked. Joss squeezed his hand and said. "Mom, this is John Reese. I'll be back in 10 min. John, my mother, Mrs. Janet Jones," She goes to the place the order.
Mrs. Jones looks at him with intense distrust. He admires her; he would do the same.
"So you're John Reese." She slowly looks at him from top to bottom and up again.
My daughter says you were injured saving someone, which is why you are sitting here. How bad is it."
"I should be well in a month." He tries to look calm but does not feel it.
She leans closer to him staring intently and says, "Are you going to continue this kind of work?"
"No, Ma'am" but thinks, "the original interrogator, of course Joss would be good at it."
"What are you going to do." She says in a low even tone.
"Tutoring and coaching children in sports and self defense as an after school program." He replies trying to look confident.
"When will you start this. Is this going to be freelance work?" Now, she appears more suspicious.
"As soon as we move into our new home when we get back from our honeymoon. She said she wanted to go to Vegas.
I have a security company with a partner that enables me to work from home. It is not freelance. You will meet him at the wedding. His name is Harold Finch." In the next breath, she says,
"A finch is a bird, does he own this hotel?" He thinks, "She is quick like her daughter"
"Yes, I am not involved in this venture."
Janet nods her head and gives him a long quiet look. He feels this is important. She crosses her arms and says.
"Jocelyn was raised by Black parents in a black culture. All the children you have will be black. Do you know that?"
He confidently states, "Yes, her heritage is an important part of her. Our future children, if any, besides Taylor, will be enriched by it.
"What is your heritage?"
"My mother was Irish, my father was Swiss, I am sure you know they have passed. I have no relatives attending the wedding. I know they would be happy for me." He breathes deeply.
"We look different, we have different backgrounds, but we think and feel the same."
He stares directly into her eyes and says, "I am in love with all of her. How she feels is the only thing that matters to me. I know I can make her happy." Janet genuinely smiles and warily thinks to herself, "ok, he'll do. Everything Joss told me matches."
Using his all his courage, he says, "I hope you and Taylor will eventually accept me as a part of your family."
"I think Taylor already has. He has changed since he met you. He's not as guarded as he used to be. He's always had a way about him that makes people want to be around him. He got that from Jocelyn. I've always looked forward to just spending time with him. Joss used to be like that before she went into the military. She has changed in the last 2 years, she's become more like Tay. I think this could be your influence. Tay repeatedly talks about your basketball and pizza buffet treats after school. I would like him to continue seeing his mother. Some people think that a mother is not needed in a 16 year old boy's life, once a father, who has been gone for the last 12 years, returns."
He replies, "I am pleased if I have helped in anyway. Joss indicated she was cutting her hours after the wedding to spend time with him before he leaves for college. He is a great person. His successful family life was obvious when I met him. His mother and you have proven what works. I support his mother view that he should get to know his father and anything else that she thinks will benefit him. I will always be there for both of them."
Is Jocelyn the reason you saved Taylor?"
"I would have done that anyway." He says honestly. He knew she would ask that.
"How long have you worked undercover and done rescues"
"3 years, before that I was in the Rangers, in Iraq." He knew Joss had not told her mother about the CIA part of his past.
Joss returns with lunch. "Mom your inquisition is over. Here is lunch. Hot Manicotti and pasta salad for you. Lasagna with spinach, Fontana, Ricotta, and Mozzarella cheeses for John and myself. Here is coffee just the way every one likes it." She steps aside as the server delivers their orders.
They eat quietly; John feels Janet's eyes on him.
His entire face glows with joy as he turns to Joss, " Please call me later, I need your opinion." "Ok" she smiles. Janet watches smiling in approval.
"Mom would you like to see the 7th floor balcony where the wedding will take place. And pick rooms for yourself and Taylor." Janet nods. "Until tomorrow, John. Please don't try to stand, I know you're recuperating." He nods. " "I will be at the elevator in a minute, Mom." Janet nods and walks with the server toward the elevator.
Joss turns to John holding his hand.
"What is it, love"
"Joss, we can go to Vegas if you want for 3 weeks and return before Taylor gets out of camp. I found a house near Taylor's school. It can be renovated while we are gone. 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 baths. Enough space for relatives and in-laws to stay. "When your mom gets old" he thought, but says "The master bedroom has an adjacent bath and is sound proof for privacy. You could see the location on your phone.
I don't want to go to dinner with anyone but you. I don't want to go back to the hospital. I feel well. 6am tomorrow I will be fever free for 24 hours. I don't believe it's bad luck to see the bride the day you get married." His hand closed around hers. "If we eloped I would see you before the wedding."
" Mom is with me and Taylor arrives at 4 pm to get a suit. There will be 1 more guest. Ted Wilson, a retired teacher that I think is important to her. I have to go home tonight. There is still so much to do. You must learn to share me with them. I will be with you every night of my life starting tomorrow. He smiled at that and felt his chest tighten. "My last night alone" he thought. She kisses and hugs him tightly, then slowly backs away walking to join her mother while he longingly watches her until the elevator door closes.
Finch quietly sits next to him. "John a week ago you did not know you would get married tomorrow. Persistence works. Keeping that thought, here is a phone call from Taylor who is in the car I sent for him. John's face spreads into a slow smile.
"Hello, Stepdad! I wondered how long it would take you and mom to do this. It was obvious to me that you two were meant for each other. When this camp is over I could go to boarding school so you'll have the house to yourself. I'm sure Grandma is getting married too. I don't want to move in with my father. Other guys have done this, do you think mom would agree."
"No! She won't. She wants to spend more time with you just as do I. I want you to live with us. We now have a 4 bedroom 3 ½ bath house near your school. Enough room for all of us and the usual teenage sleepovers that will keep me up all night. I look forward to it. There's a backyard with a basketball hoop. I want you to know this is your home. Just as all of us will always be your family with your mom in charge."
He hears a nervous laugh and "OK". He knew Tay did not want to leave. "Until tomorrow, Tay?"
"Yes, tomorrow." Taylor hangs up.
Finch is still smiling. "There is more, due to the FBI, the Boston cartel, the Russians and Elias being engaged in a multi-directional war, all of HR's management staff have been killed to shut them up since cop's don't want to go to prison. Jocelyn will have many open positions available with better hours. Of course, the machine will arrange whatever she likes. It has taken an interest in her."
John smiles remembering burning what he was sure was HR's money. He started the war. Neither Elias nor the Russians would ever leave drugs and money unguarded. Joss would be safe.
Finch continues "The man you followed to the Cayman Islands was found offshore in a boating accident."
The phone rings again. It says "Shaw." Congratulations, I just gave you a wedding present. A bullet between Kara's eyes last night. The machine called me. She tried to pose as a pizza delivery at 1 am. She kept Sean Riley from talking, since Conrad Wolf failed. She thought the number knew as much as Riley. She convinced the Boston cartel to pay her for getting rid of the number. I know every pizza place there is and no one delivers at that time of night." Marconi's partner got out the car to get the pizza and she shot him. I shot her from the balcony Finch put on the second floor of the house. The number never heard it." John laughs. He knows Shaw's appetite makes her an expert on pizza.
"This is the best wedding present. Will you leave the number now?
"I can't, I am waiting for the rest of the Boston cartel to arrive to get her or Elias gets rid of them. She refuses witness protection. Reilly took every cent she had in the bank. The house has more debt than it is worth. He canceled the insurance from his job for her. The boat he was using to escape is all that is left of him. She refused it. She wants to go back to Staten Island. So Marconi and I will too. Elias paid for her moving company, of course, suggested by Marconi. Finch is helping her by placing orders for pastries for his companies that will finance and advertise her work.
Reese, You getting married to Carter is way overdue. I am sorry I will miss the wedding and taking Joss out tonight for a hen party. I have to work. Have a great time on your honeymoon, even in the shape you're in. Bye."
"Thank you, Shaw. Bye." He said, but laughed to himself "You will find a way to prolong this association with a chef. I know you'll like a thick steak. I'll send it to you anyway
She hangs up. His smile grows wider. He thinks "Joss's enemies are gone and my worst enemy is gone. We will have a better life, I won't need to change my appearance after all." His smile grew wider as the ache in his torso revived getting his attention. He thought "this is a minor trade." He decided to go upstairs and lie down for a while after all. He did not want anything to interfere with tomorrow.
Finch called a man from his staff to shadow John to his room. John growled he would be fine. Finch smiled, ignored him and happily continued plans for the wedding.