Abby/Jake The Wedding pt.2

I said to Neela as I returned with Abby's drink, "tell Abby this is for her; I better go mingle or else my brother will be after me, I'll come and dance with you again later."

I saw Abby at the top table talking and laughing with Chuny and Danny; I could not take my eyes off of her, she just looked so beautiful.

I stopped on my way to the buffet table to chat with Chuny and Danny, she looked pretty, if somewhat swamped in the material of her dress. "Oh don't laugh Abby, it was the least meringue like dress I tried on, you know I wanted something plain, but there was no way my mother was gonna allow that, it's not the done thing in her mind to have a simple style wedding gown. Danny reckons I will smother him to death on the bed tonight." "Yes Abby, give me your number before you leave, I may need to call for medical assistance." At least he saw the funny side too. "I love your dress" Chuny said, "it will go down a treat with all the males here." "Oh thanks, I'm glad you like it; and Danny, what's gonna happen in the city if there's a fire tonight, are there any firemen on duty, it looks like they are all here," I giggled.

I had a laugh dancing with the men, even Morris seemed to forgive the chastisements I've given him in the past, paying me compliments too; I must remember to wear this dress again, it does wonders for your ego I decided. Chuny had said she'd alternated the band, getting them to play for an hour, followed by disco music for half an hour, so they could take a rest, have a drink, something to eat, they were excellent, singing and playing all manner of music; they really made the evening.

In all that time Jake never once came up to me and asked me for a dance; although I had wanted to, I could hardly approach him. O h well, at least it was clear to me now what he thought about me; I had, as I had done so before, ruined a perfectly good relationship because of my fears; but this time it wasn't just that, I had severed myself from my soul mate.

I had danced with several of Chuny's family, my Mum and sisters too, yet I could not bring myself to approach her again. Why? I wanted to hold her, to feel her delicate soft skin against my hands, to look closely at her face, into her eyes, to embrace her, to tell her how gorgeous she looked; yet I couldn't, my pride had got the better of me . I just watched her as I danced, she was enjoying herself so much, it was great to see her so relaxed, to see that smile of hers again.

Later as I'd stood at the side of the hall, sipping my second whisky, ( why I was drinking it, because I just felt so confused seeing her, did I think the alcohol could somehow make me see sense, hardly, it was just a foolish action ) my Dad came over; "Jake what's got into you? Why are you drinking shots, three beers is just about all you can handle, you're not like your old Dad or brothers." "So, what's the f---ing big deal, it's a wedding, people drink, if I 'd known I was being watched I wouldn't have bloody bothered flying over" I slurred. "Jake come with me" he said angrily, as he took the glass out of my hand, grabbed me by the arm, and guided me out of the hall, cross the corridor, and through the glass door opposite to the steps outside.

"You may be all grown up, a doctor even, but you don't speak to me like that. What the hell has got into you? Danny told me about this morning, he was concerned, it's not like you Jake, you were always the sensible one, I never had to worry about you in that way, but look at you. What's wrong, have you had something show up on your EKG, had a problem at work? We all can tell you're enjoying your hospital work by your enthusiastic comments; but that sparkle has gone from your eyes lad, your mother and I noticed it when we visited, come on, tell me, how can I do anything if you bottle it up inside. I'm you're Dad I want to help."

I could feel the tears welling up, I tried to fight them, but the drink had not helped either.

"For Christ sake, Jake, tell me. I 've never seen you like this, not even when you're heart problems surfaced" he said as he pull me into his arms and hugged me. "I'm sorry Dad, I didn't mean what I said back there, you know I love you to bits, it's nothing to worry about, it's just, …… just relationship problems." was all I said.

"Is it Laura? I thought you two were getting back together again". "No were just friends, it's no one you've ever met, it was someone I was very fond of, no lets be honest, I loved her but, ……but it didn't work out;…… it's just the wedding, and being back in Chicago, its made me come over all emotional; made me realize just how much I miss her; I'm just like women are at these sentimental occasions, god, you must think I'm pathetic." "Women can do that to you I know; I can think of the occasional times your mother and I have had words, how I felt, who says it's just women that get upset. I'm just so glad it's not a medical problem. Jake just promise me, don't drink anymore, have some strong black coffee; luckily your Mum's dancing so much she may not have noticed, but if she sees you in this state, she will kill me for not stopping you, she knows only too well you can't handle the hard stuff; I often wonder if you really are my son ." "Dad", I said laughing, " I promise I won't have anymore, I'm sorry if I caused you to worry unnecessarily, and please forgive me for being so short with you, I shouldn't have sworn at you, I'm sorry, it was uncalled for, I don't know why I said that. " "Don't worry, it's just the drink talking. Jake, I love you, more than you will ever know, …..….see you're getting me at it now too " he said as he chocked back the tears. "Well no one can say we don't share the same genes" he said as he tried to laugh it off.

I was on my way back from the bathroom, I could see what looked like Jake outside through the glass door hugging someone. I shouldn't stay and watch, but I couldn't help it. I was surprised to see him come back inside with his arm around his Dad; it was the same older man I'd seen at his graduation, who else could it be, you could see the resemblance, those same blue eyes, that dark wavy hair, he was right about those genes. He hesitated, when he saw me, but as always, the well mannered man that he was, said, "Abby, wait, you've never met my Dad, I've mentioned him often enough, let me properly introduce you. Abby, this is my Dad, Sean; and Dad, this is doctor Lockhart, Abby and I worked together in the ER at County". "It's very nice to meet you Mr. Scanlon, Jake talked about you often." "All good things I hope".

I was shocked, both of them had obviously been crying, their eyes were still quite watery. "It's a great wedding Mr. Scanlon, a real lovely atmosphere, and as I said earlier to Danny, are there any firemen left in the stations tonight?" "It makes you wonder" he replied. I didn't want to linger, they were trying to be polite I knew, but I could see they needed to be alone a moment longer, "well I'd better get back inside, I'll see you later".

It scared the life out of me, I wanted to talk to him, was it his heart, had something shown up on his EKG why would they both have been crying? But how could I, I had no right whatsoever. If he wanted to tell me, it was for him to initiate the conversation. I just kept thinking about him, what was wrong?