A/N: Thanks for your reviews!

Chapter 13- Colleen's Wedding Fiasco-Part 1

The first week of May arrived with sunny skies and temperatures that were predicted to be spring like all week long with no chance of rain. She shouldn't be surprised, Johanna thought as she let herself into her parents house that Sunday afternoon. Perfect weather was on Colleen's list of wedding demands…and what Colleen wanted, Colleen got. Johanna waved a greeting to her father and headed toward the kitchen. Six days to go of this wedding madness, she reminded herself. Just six more days…and they'd probably be the worst of all of them. She found her brother in the kitchen and she smiled as she watched him hold his son up in the air and gently wiggle him to make him laugh. Frankie could be a pain, but she'd never deny that he was a good father.

Frankie spotted her in the doorway and looked to his son. "There's one of your favorite people," he told Greg as he turned the baby to face her. A smile broke across his face and he squealed; his small arms reaching out towards his aunt.

"There's my little man," Johanna smiled as she closed the distance between them and took her nephew into her arms. She kissed him and in return found herself the recipient of a sloppy baby kiss which made her laugh. "Where's Val?" she asked.

"She dropped us off," Frankie replied. "She claims that she has to help her mother today."

Johanna caught his meaning. "You think she skipped out on us to avoid the latest segment of the Colleen show?"

"That's my guess; and speaking of her royal highness; she's upstairs…and she brought shoe boxes."

"Shoe boxes?"

He nodded. "Be afraid."

"Don't tell me she's changed her mind about letting us pick out our own shoes."

"Looks that way. She told Mom that they were perfect and go well with the dresses."

"Oh God," Johanna muttered. "If there's one thing I hate more than an ugly dress, it's ugly shoes."

"And now you get both," her brother laughed.

She made a face at the thought, making Greg giggle in the process. "I'm glad someone can laugh about it, sweetie," she told him as she nuzzled his soft cheek. "Where's Mom?"

"At the store. Are you ready for hell week, Sis?"

"You say that like the whole year hasn't been hell."

"True, but it's going to be even worse this week."

"Oh I know," she sighed.

"At least you didn't have to go to Paul's bachelor party last night," Frankie stated.

"That bad?"

"I've had more fun at the dentist. I didn't think it would be all that bad when he told me it was being held at the pool hall. I enjoy playing pool…but those guys didn't want to have any fun with it. No wagering on the games for drinks or money. Paul didn't want anyone going over a two beer minimum…because if we were to get drunk, we might embarrass ourselves," he mocked; "And they spent half the time talking about Wall Street. I'm a businessman; not in theirs but regardless, I don't want to talk shop when I'm supposed to be having a good time. What kind of party was that?"

"Not a good one," Johanna agreed.

Frankie grinned then; mischief in his eyes. "There was one highlight."

"What?"

"I learned all about that mad crush Henry has on you thanks to Colleen."

She cringed. "I've heard the rumors."

"He's determined to win your heart," Frankie taunted.

"Please tell me that you listed all of my bad traits," Johanna pleaded.

He nodded. "I told him you were mouthy, opinionated, stubborn, annoying, and temperamental. I also told him that you yell, and that if you're mad enough, you throw things…I even gave examples. I told him that you rarely ever shut up."

"Did that dissuade him any?" she asked hopefully.

"Nope; he still wants you. I got blunt with him and told him that you don't want him and he replied that Colleen told him you're shy."

"Shy?"

"Shy," he laughed. "I told him he was out of his mind; that you weren't even born shy. You came into the world screaming your head off so everybody would know you had arrived. I know, because I was in the next room. Henry doesn't buy it. I explained to him, or at least tried to, that you're not his type. I told him you chew up men and spit them out for a living and that he wouldn't know what to do with you or how to handle you."

"And he's still interested?" Johanna asked.

"Apparently so. He really thinks he has a chance. I told him he was crazy; that you're not some sweet little magnolia blossom…that you're more like a volcano that could erupt at any moment and cause millions of dollars in damage."

"Normally I'd be offended by that; but since it's for a good cause, I'll overlook it," she remarked.

Frankie covered Greg's ears with his hands and whispered, "I even told him you were a real bitch and that he should stay far away."

"But he's not going to?"

"No. I even suggested that he go find himself some little chess player, but I don't think it did much good. He's been brainwashed. You'll love this…"

"What?" she asked with trepidation.

"Henry left early because he had to go home and watch the late movie with his mommy."

Johanna laughed. "Oh yeah, that's definitely the kind of man I want."

"I thought that was your dream come true," her brother laughed. "You better dodge him as much as you can."

"You're my brother, can't you kill him or something?" she asked.

Frankie considered it for a moment. "I guess if he doesn't get the hint soon, I'll have to…it probably won't take much…one punch should do it. He'll probably piss his pants and faint as soon as I raise my fist."

"Who are you talking about?" Colleen asked as she entered the room.

"No one," her siblings replied simultaneously.

Colleen looked skeptical but she let it pass. "Jo, I brought the pink nail polish I want you to use."

"Okay," she replied. "Don't let me forget it before I leave."

"I also brought you shoes. I know I said you…"

"Frankie already told me the good news," she told her.

"They're just perfect for the dresses, Jo; I had to grab them."

"Are they yellow?" Johanna asked.

"Of course."

That's what she had been afraid of, she thought as she shuddered internally.

Colleen glanced at her sister. "You know; it's not too late. Are you sure you don't want me to get you a date for the wedding?"

Johanna rolled her eyes. "I'm positive."

Colleen sighed in disgust. "Who are you going to dance with if you don't have a date?"

"My date is right here," she replied as she gently untangled Greg's small hand from her earring and kissed his cheek. "I'll dance with my little man."

"He'll look handsome for you," Frankie stated. "Valerie found him a little suit to wear."

"He's not coming to my wedding!" Colleen exclaimed.

"Why the hell not?" Frankie asked.

"Because there will be no babies or children at my wedding."

"Colleen," Johanna said; disbelief in her tone. "This isn't some random kid; it's your nephew."

"I don't give a damn," her sister remarked. "Children aren't allowed, with the exception of the flower girl. I won't have my wedding ruined by some squalling brat."

"My son isn't a squalling brat," Frankie said tersely.

"He still cries," she retorted.

"Greg's a good baby," Johanna stated. "He doesn't cry unless something's wrong."

"I. Don't. Care," her sister stated tartly. "No kids, regardless of who they are."

"I can't believe you."

"This is the most important day of my life, Johanna! I'm not going to have it ruined by some baby. If you want a bunch of kids at your wedding, go for it...but at the rate you're going, you'll never have one."

If it hadn't been for Greg being in her arms, she would've given in to the urge to hit her sister. She didn't get the chance to respond as Frankie had run out of patience for their younger sister.

"You little bitch, I've just about had it with you," he stated. "I don't know who the hell you think you are but you need knocked down a few pegs. Your last name is McKenzie, Colleen; not Vanderbilt or Rockefeller. You're not high society and your precious little wedding isn't going to be covered by the media. You need to get over your stupid self."

"I will not get over it," their sister replied snidely. "And the Westons are very important people!"

"The Westons can kiss my ass," Frankie replied. "They aren't anybody...except for in their own deluded imaginations."

"They're better than you'll ever be," she responded; "And I'm making the rules here and I don't care if you like them or not. Your kid isn't coming."

Frankie glanced to Johanna. "I've never been as sick of one person in all my life as I am of her. All we've heard for a damn year is 'Colleen's wedding'. Between her and Mom, I'm ready to lose my mind."

"I'm right there with you."

"I don't remember all of this hoopla when I got married," he commented.

"That's because you and Valerie didn't act like this," Johanna replied. "It all went very smoothly and without driving everyone insane."

"Oh shut up, Johanna," Colleen stated. "No one cares to hear your opinion on anything. You just can't stand that I'm getting married before you."

"Colleen, you can go to the moon for all I care."

"I wish she would," Frankie stated. "That'd be a good place for her."

Colleen laughed. "You're both so jealous. I'm moving up in the world and you're both still at the bottom."

"Oh my God," her brother said; "You're so damn delusional. I'm Vice President of Dad's company; Johanna's an attorney; we have a place in society and we didn't have to get married to obtain it. Take your high flaunting Weston's and shove them."

"Go to hell, Frankie."

He laughed. "Honey we've been in hell since the day Mom brought you home from the hospital! And I'll tell you something else; if my son isn't welcome at your wedding, neither am I."

"Well he's not welcome," she smirked.

"Good," Frankie replied; "And you just lost yourself a bridesmaid too, because my wife won't be attending either."

"You can't do that!"

"I just did. Val isn't going to side with you. Now we're done."

Colleen turned towards Johanna. "Can you believe that?"

"I don't blame him a bit. You ought to be ashamed of yourself for talking about your nephew like he's nothing more than dirt under your shoe."

Colleen rolled her eyes. "Do you ever stop acting so high and mighty? You get on my damn nerves. Why don't you go get a life? Maybe it would improve your mood."

Johanna smiled. "Hey, Colleen; guess what?"

"What?" she said sharply.

"You just lost yourself a maid of honor; because I'm not coming either. The hell with your wedding and the hell with you."

"What the hell is going on in here?" Frank bellowed from the doorway. "Haven't you kids learned to behave yet? I can't hear the damn TV!"

"We were just telling Colleen that we're not going to her wedding," Johanna answered.

"Why not?" he asked.

"Let me tell you about that, Dad," Frankie stated before proceeding to tell Frank what had happened. When he finished, their father turned towards Colleen and glared at her.

"My grandson isn't welcome at a family event?" he questioned.

"I believe I made that clear," she said tartly. "I'm not taking any chances."

"Well then I think I just better stay home too. I might sneeze and ruin your perfect day," he said; sarcasm dripping from his tone.

"You can't do that," Colleen cried. "You have to give me away!"

"Let your mother do it!" he exclaimed. "You're all she cares about lately!"

"I've got an idea," Frankie said; "Since we're all not going to the wedding, let's have a cook out at my house that day. I'll get some steaks and burgers and we can have potato salad and chips and all that."

"I'll bring the beer," Frank stated.

"Sounds good. Jo, what do you want to bring?"

"I'll bring cake and ice cream," she replied.

Frankie bobbed his head. "Great; we'll call it the 'Thank god Colleen belongs to another family' party."

"I like it," Johanna said. "Dad, will you pick me up?"

"Sure."

Naomi entered through the back door just as Colleen burst into tears. "Mom," she cried; "They're not coming to the wedding."

Johanna gently bounced Greg on her hip while Naomi waded into the chaos. "Enough!" Naomi yelled; startling the baby and making him cry. He hid his face in Johanna's neck as she soothed him; Frankie joining her in murmuring comforting words to the boy. She shot her mother a glare and Naomi returned it with one of her own.

"Don't give me that look," Naomi told her. "Now you all listen, and listen good. This is Colleen's wedding and she gets to say who can come and who can't and if you don't like that, it's too bad. We are a family and this is an important occasion. You will all be at this wedding, whether you like it or not and I don't want to hear any whining or complaining. Do I make myself clear?"

Her husband, son and eldest daughter merely stared at her; their expressions conveying various degrees of 'go to hell' mentality. "Do I make myself clear?" she asked once again.

"Yes," they all replied; their tones less than enthusiastic.

Naomi patted Colleen's back. "There, darling; everything is fine now."

Colleen smiled as she glanced at her family. "I knew it would be."

As they drifted out of the room, Frankie murmured. "I hate her."

Johanna gave a small nod. "I have a feeling we'll hate her a lot more before the week is over."

"You look like a woman who could a use a drink," Jim stated as he opened his door to find Johanna standing on the other side.

"And you look like the man who's going to pour me one," she replied as she held his gaze.

Jim laughed as he stepped back and allowed her inside. "What would you like?"

She sighed. "How about something strong enough to knock me out for the rest of the week?"

"I don't think I have that. What will you settle for?"

"Whatever you have," she answered as she kicked off her shoes and made herself at home on his couch.

Jim rummaged in the cabinet and finally came up with a bottle of scotch. "How's this?" he asked; holding it up for her to see.

"That's fine with me."

He poured them each a glass and then took a seat on the sofa with her. "I take it that you didn't have a good time at your mother's?"

Johanna shook her head. "It wasn't fun at all...except for those brief minutes when Frankie, Dad and I boycotted the wedding and told Colleen to shove it."

Jim laughed. "How did that happen?"

"Miss uppity bride announced that Greg isn't welcome at her wedding."

"She doesn't want her nephew at her wedding?"

"She doesn't want her wedding ruined by a baby that might cry. It is the most important day of her life, after all," Johanna stated as she rolled her eyes. "I swear if I hear her say that phrase one more time..."

"How did the boycott come about?"

"Frankie and I were mad about her insinuating that Greg is a squalling brat and an argument got started. Frankie told her that if his son wasn't welcome, than neither was he or his wife and they wouldn't be going to her wedding. Colleen and I had our usual argument and I got fed up and told her I wasn't going to her wedding either. Dad came in at that point and asked what was going on so we told him and was highly offended that his grandson had been banned from the wedding and he told her that he better just stay home because he might do something to ruin her wedding. Then Frankie started making plans for a party that would be held while her wedding was going on. It was going to be called the 'Thank God Colleen belongs to another family now' party."

"I bet she liked that," Jim commented; amusement lacing his tone.

"Oh she was livid. Frankie said he'd get some steaks to grill and some alcohol and chips and stuff. I told him I'd bring the cake and ice cream. It was shaping up to be a nice sounding party until Mom came home."

"Let me guess; she ordered you all to be at the wedding."

Johanna took a long sip of her drink. "Pretty much. It was a glorious few minutes there for awhile."

He laughed and patted her knee. "Well it'll be over soon."

She scoffed. "But not before this hellish week is over. This is literally going to be the week from hell."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well let's start with work, I have four cases in court and a packed schedule in between appearances. Then there's Colleen's bridal shower on Tuesday; and why they're having it on a weeknight is beyond me."

Jim glanced at her. "Aren't you throwing the shower for her?"

She shook her head. "No, she wanted her best friend to take care of that. She was afraid it might be too boring if I arranged it."

"She actually said that?"

"Not in those exact words but it was implied."

"You should've told her then to find herself a new maid of honor."

"I thought about it," she admitted; taking another sip of her drink; "But then I realized that I just didn't give a damn about it."

He had a feeling that she did care a little more than she wanted to act like but he chuckled quietly anyway. "It would probably just be one more thing for her to drive you crazy about."

"My thoughts exactly."

"What else is on the agenda?"

"Well then there's the rehearsal...and the rehearsal dinner... two days before the wedding."

"Why is it two days before? When my brother got married; his was the night before."

"Paul's father has a business engagement that he just can't change so it has to be held on Thursday. The Westons don't work around you, you work around them," she remarked.

"That's nice."

"Yeah and Mom wants us to have a family dinner on Friday; although why, I don't know. Oh and I somehow got roped into spending Friday night at my mother's because Colleen's spending the night there."

"And she wants you there to keep the boogey man from getting her or what?" Jim asked.

She laughed. "Beats the hell out of me. I don't even know how I got signed up for this little sleepover."

"It must be pre-wedding sisterly bonding time."

"Can't hardly wait."

"Maybe she wants you to give her that pre-wedding sex talk," Jim laughed.

Johanna giggled. "I think the mother is supposed to give that talk and in any case it's too late...for both of us."

"Would your mother be relieved by that thought?" he laughed.

"She's probably already gone to church and asked for forgiveness on our behalf's...and spends the rest of the time pretending that she doesn't know."

They became quiet and she sighed as she focused on the television for a moment. Jim patted her leg. "It's almost over, sweetheart. Just a few more days and Colleen will be out of your hair."

"Keep reminding me of that."

"I will," he promised; and then after a moment's pause he added, "And you know where to find me if you need me."

"Thank you," she smiled.

"Anytime."

"That's good to know," Johanna said softly. "I might need you a lot this week."

Jim leaned towards her and brushed a kiss against her cheek. "I'm available."

"I might need you to rescue me from a nerd."

"A nerd?" he laughed. "Do you have a new admirer?"

"Unfortunately," she replied as she took a long sip of her drink and then settled back and told him the story Frankie had told her about Henry.

On Tuesday evening, Johanna found herself at Colleen's bridal shower; sitting off to the side of the room with Valerie.

"Why are we even here?" her sister-in-law asked as she stabbed her fork into a slice of cake.

"To make it look good, I guess," Johanna replied. "It would look bad if she didn't invite us…it's way better to just ignore us."

She glanced towards the center of the room where sister was surrounded by twenty-five of her closest friends and currently better liked relatives. The bride had only marginally acknowledged the arrival of Johanna and Valerie, and she seemed to make it clear that that she wasn't overly interested in their company as she had waved them off towards the food and rejoined her friends.

"They couldn't make it any clearer that we're not apart of their group," Valerie commented as another round of giggles exploded.

"I guess we're not their kind of people, Val," she laughed. "Colleen has mentioned that we're on the boring side."

"That's better than being on the immature side. There are a few prime examples of that side right over there with the bride."

"Hell, the bride is a prime example," Johanna whispered. "In fact, I think she's worse now than she ever was."

"Marriage should break her of that once the honeymoon is over and Paul starts demanding that she get up and cook his breakfast and iron him a shirt for work."

She scoffed. "Please; she'll be expecting Paul to pamper her. He'll be serving her breakfast in bed and ironing her skirts."

Valerie laughed quietly. "Well now that I think about it; that possibility is highly likely."

"Here comes the bride now," Johanna muttered as she caught sight of Colleen.

"Are you two enjoying the party?" Colleen asked with a wide smile as she sat down; a half empty champagne glass in her hand.

"Oh yeah," they lied. "It's great."

"Why don't you have some more champagne?" Colleen suggested; waving towards the bottle.

"I'm driving, Colleen," Valerie answered. "One is my limit."

"Well you can have a few more, Sissy," she stated; dropping an arm around Johanna's shoulders.

"Colleen, I would have loved to have gotten drunk with you if the party had been held on the weekend."

"Bethany was busy," she replied. "Tonight was more convenient. You can get drunk with me tonight."

"No, I can't. I have to be in court tomorrow morning."

Her sister rolled her eyes. "You're just mad because I wouldn't let you throw the party."

Johanna wrapped an arm around her sister. "I am not," she replied; although she had been a little hurt when Colleen had stated that she preferred Bethany to take the role. "I can't go to work with a hangover, that's all."

Colleen downed the rest of her drink. "Oh no, we wouldn't want you to lose your goody two shoes image."

"Colleen, come on, don't be that way," she replied; giving her a squeeze. "I want to celebrate with you but I have to do it sober since you had to have your party on a weeknight."

"You're so petty. If things aren't your way, than you don't want any part of it."

"That's not true!"

"Whatever," she said with a dismissive wave. "Just go back to eating your cake. I don't need you."

"Colleen," she called after her; but her sister ignored her.

Valerie shook her head. "She needs you all right; every time she needs a human punching bag."

"Yeah," Johanna agreed; "And it's getting old."

Two hours later, nothing had improved. Colleen was still giving them the cold shoulder and Valerie was getting antsy. She had called home to make sure that Frankie had put Greg to bed on time but found out that her son was being stubborn and was still awake. Johanna knew she wanted to get home, and in all honesty, she was ready to go as well.

"Val, if you're ready to go; we can leave."

"You don't mind?"

Johanna shook her head. "Not at all. Greg's waiting on his mommy to tuck him in, and if we go now, I'll have time to look over some things for tomorrow before I go to bed. Colleen doesn't want us here anyway. It isn't like she'll miss us."

"Let's go tell her goodbye and get out of here then," Valerie replied.

They pushed their way through Colleen's friends and pulled the bride aside to speak with her. "We're heading out," Valerie told her as she pulled her into a quick hug.

"Why?" Colleen asked.

"I need to get home and get Greg put down for the night."

"Let Frankie do it."

"He's trying," Valerie answered; "But the baby prefers me to put him to bed."

"What's your excuse?" Colleen asked Johanna.

"Well for one, Valerie drove me here."

"You could take a cab home."

"I could," Johanna agreed; "But I can't be out all night; I have to…"

"Work in the morning," Colleen said in unison. "You know, between that baby and that job; the two of you have become very dull."

Johanna smirked. "Well we can't all be like you, Colleen."

"It's a shame," her sister commented; not getting it as the dig it was meant to be.

"I know I cry all the time because I can't be like you," Valerie remarked sarcastically.

"You've been hanging around Jo too much; you're getting a smart mouth like her."

"Actually I was born with my own smart mouth," Valerie replied. "Have fun tonight; I'll see you Thursday."

Johanna stepped forward and hugged her sister. "I love you; be careful tonight."

"I can take care of myself," her sister retorted. "Don't forget the rehearsal Thursday."

"I won't," she promised.

"Don't be late," Colleen said firmly.

"I'll be there," Johanna stated. "Don't worry."

"What brings you by?" Johanna asked the next evening as Jim stood by in her kitchen while she poured them both a drink. "Not that I'm not glad to see you," she added with a smile.

He smiled back and accepted a glass from her hand; taking a sip to buy himself some time. He hadn't prepared an answer for that question and he was scrambling for something other than the words, 'I was worried about you'. "No reason really. I just wanted to see you."

"That's sweet of you," she commented; bringing a brief and somewhat bashful smile to his lips.

"How did things go in court today?" he asked.

"It went fine," Johanna replied. "This was probably the easiest one of the week. How about you? You weren't back yet when I left for the day."

"It's too soon to tell."

"Are you worried?" she questioned; setting her glass aside.

Jim shook his head. "No; I think I'll do fine. I know what game the other side is playing now and I'll use it to my advantage."

Johanna grinned. "I wish I could come and watch."

"Yeah, you could wear your cheerleading uniform and do a cheer for me."

She smirked. "You're not getting me back into that uniform, Jim Beckett; so you just get that thought out of your mind."

"But you looked so cute in it, sweetheart."

"Mhmm."

Jim laughed and then grew quiet as he noticed her rubbing at her lower back. She had been doing that when he saw her that morning. Concern furrowed his brow. "Did you hurt yourself?"

She gave him a confused look. "No. Why?"

"You keep rubbing your back," he replied; gesturing to her hand.

"Oh. It just hurts a little that's all."

"What did you do to it, Jo? It isn't bothering you for no reason."

"It's nothing; don't worry about it," she answered; her cheeks warming at the thought of having to tell him why.

"Too late," Jim replied. "I'm already worried. You're not yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I can tell that you don't feel well," he answered; laying a hand against her forehead to check for signs of fever. "Now do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

She gave him a knowing look. "Is that why you came over?"

Jim matched her look. "What if it is?"

"Why didn't you just say so?"

"Because you'd either tell me that you were fine or not to worry about it."

"What makes you think that?"

He placed a hand on the counter, keeping her bracketed between it and himself as he remained close to her. "Because I know you, Jo. Now do you want to tell me about it?"

She smiled softly; shoving a hand through her hair. "I don't feel well...but I'm not sick."

"Don't be so sure. It's probably just starting."

"No; it's nothing like that."

"Then what is it?"

If it had been anyone else, she would've been irritated...but she couldn't be with him; not when he was standing before her looking so concerned. She couldn't help but be touched; after all there were plenty of moments over the last few weeks and months when it felt like he was the only one who gave a damn about her at all...but this situation could be slightly humiliating. "I'm a woman, Jim," she stated.

"I've noticed," he grinned; his gaze raking over her figure.

She smirked at him. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

Johanna gave a short laugh. "You're probably going to be sorry you asked," she remarked before continuing on. "Being a woman entails dealing with a certain issue...you have a mother and sister...think about it."

Jim was quiet for a minute and then understanding flashed in his eyes. "Oh, that."

She nodded. "Are you sorry?"

"Very," he replied; shifting awkwardly on his feet. "I didn't mean to pry into your personal business."

"It's okay," Johanna told him; despite the blush on her cheeks. "I'm sure somewhere in that male oriented brain of yours you knew that I... go through this," she said for lack of better words.

He gave a nod. "I have noticed times when you're a little..."

"Bitchy?"

Jim hurriedly shook his head. "I wasn't going to say that at all."

She laughed. "You don't have to say it; I know I am and if there's any doubt; Sharon's always there to confirm it for me...and I always return the favor of course."

"Of course," he replied; still not quite meeting her eye. She couldn't help but laugh which drew his gaze back to hers.

"What?" he asked.

"This is the one topic guaranteed to make a man squirm and want to run."

Jim laughed. "That's because we want to take cover until it passes."

"Is that what you've thought about during those 'bitchy' times you've noticed?" she asked; the idea of teasing him too appealing to pass up.

He held her gaze, amusement in his eyes. "I've never known you to be the least bit bitchy."

"Liar," she laughed.

Jim chuckled. "I do want to make it a point however to stay on your good side for the rest of the week."

"But you're willing to take a trip to the bad side once the danger passes?"

"I didn't say that!"

"I should hope not," she replied; "Because I'll have you know that I can be just as lethal when crossed without the help of Mother Nature."

"Sweetheart, I don't doubt that at all."

"Good; then you'll be planning to stay on my good side at all times."

Jim nodded. "That's the plan...but maybe you should send out warnings about...the potential for danger."

She giggled. "Are you afraid?"

"No; I just want be prepared for the possibility of combat...and have a white flag handy so I can surrender."

Her brow rose and a smile touched her lips. "You'd surrender to me?"

"I'd be a fool not to," he replied and then he smiled teasingly; "Besides; it might be fun to be your prisoner."

She laughed and moved to return her hand to her back to rub at the lingering ache but Jim gently pulled her hand away and took the task upon himself. Her eyes closed for a moment as his strong fingers rubbed against her back.

"I guess there isn't much I can do to help you with this problem," he stated quietly.

Her eyes opened and met his. "No; I'm afraid there's no cure for this...I figure I got another 20-30 years to go with this sentence."

He gave her a soft smile. "Sorry."

"You're not to blame," she murmured. "It's enough to know that you'd try to make it better for me if you could."

"I would, you know."

"I know."

"I guess Colleen picked a bad time for her wedding," he remarked as he continued to rub her back.

"She sure did," Johanna replied. "This is going to be a bad one."

"You didn't name it on your list of nightmare activities for this week."

"I didn't think you'd want to know."

He cringed slightly. "Well you see how well that worked out."

"I tried not to tell you."

"I know."

"It'll probably make you think twice next time, won't it?" she asked.

Jim shook his head. "No; if I feel like something's wrong I'm going to ask you about it...even if it means I end up learning more than I planned."

That was just like him, she thought to herself. It might be embarrassing or uncomfortable but he'd push it aside and make her wellbeing his priority. Before she could think about what she was doing, she leaned towards him and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"A lot of reasons," she said softly.

He thought about pushing for a more direct answer and then thought better of it; opting to return her kiss with one of his own. "Let's go sit down," he told her. "Maybe your back will stop hurting if you get off your feet for awhile."

She allowed him to pull her away from the counter and lead her into the living room. She just might survive this week if he kept up this treatment.

Once she was settled comfortably, Jim broached the topic of her latest family obligation. "How was the bridal shower?"

Johanna released a heavy breath. "Honestly?"

Jim nodded. "Of course."

"I don't know why I was invited, or Valerie either for that matter."

"Why?"

She smiled somewhat sadly. "Because Valerie and I spent the majority of the time sitting together...just the two of us."

"I'm afraid I don't understand."

"That's alright; I'm not quite sure I understand it myself. I guess what it comes down to is that Colleen basically snubbed us for all intents and purposes. I mean, I didn't expect her to spend all of her time with us; I know a lot of her friends were there and members of Paul's family and other members of ours...but it seemed..."

"Purposeful?" Jim suggested.

"Yes, and maybe to some extent I could understand her treating me that way since we've been at odds so much; but to do it to Valerie too...that just seemed odd. I went with the intent of having a good time with her; even though I was feeling a little rushed with it being a weeknight; but it was like I kept getting the brush off."

"So you did try...to be a part of things?" he asked; hoping he wasn't offending her.

"Yeah; I tried...but it didn't do any good. I don't fit in with her friends and neither does Valerie and that was kind of made plain to us."

"I probably would've left," Jim said honestly. "I wouldn't stay somewhere where I clearly wasn't wanted."

"We did end up leaving earlier than anyone else. Val wanted to get home and put Greg to bed and she drove me; not that I minded leaving. I couldn't stay out all night when I had to be in court this morning. Colleen wasn't happy about that; although I don't know why since she was ignoring us anyway. She also got mad because I couldn't get drunk with her."

"Maybe that was part of the reason she was snubbing you."

"Probably," Johanna answered. "She has been making comments lately about how I'm not fun anymore and I'm boring and...whatever other words along those lines."

Jim saw the sadness in her eyes as she glanced down hands. "You're plenty of fun, Jo; and you're not boring. Maybe Colleen just hasn't grown up all the way yet. She seems a little immature."

Johanna smiled softly. "It's funny you know; those two years between us never seemed to matter before...we always seemed to be the same age in some respects; but maybe it has nothing to do with our ages. Maybe we're just...different now. Maybe it's my fault for pulling away a bit; but I couldn't take it anymore. I needed space before they drove me crazy. She's like a stranger now...wanting to tell me how she's done everything right while I've done everything wrong...and I hate how that little seed of doubt she plants in my mind takes root."

"What seed of doubt?"

She glanced away from him. "Maybe I did make a mistake...maybe I should've concentrated more on finding someone than going to law school."

"Jo; you don't really think that you've made the wrong choice do you? You're good at what you do...you're needed in the field you chose. You help people every day...this is what you were meant to do. The rest will come together...and maybe when it does; you'll have something better than Colleen does because you waited. You had more life experience and you were ready for that next step. You waited for the right person...instead of settling for the first thing that came along. I know you, Johanna; I know that when it comes to important choices, you make them with care. You're where you're supposed to be."

"You really believe that?"

"Yes," Jim answered; "And so do you."

She smiled "What makes you so sure that I know?"

"Because I wouldn't tell you that you did, if you didn't."

"Well since I trust your word about all things important; I'll agree that I'm where I belong."

"Good," Jim laughed; "Now let me see you smile to prove it; and not that sad one either. I want that bright, beautiful, Johanna McKenzie signature smile."

Johanna laughed at the remark; her smile widening and her eyes sparkling. "There it is," he said as he gazed at her. "That's my girl."

Her heart fluttered at those words and she shifted towards him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Sometimes I think I'd be lost without you," she told him.

He smiled; brushing his knuckles against her cheek. "I feel that way about you too. What's next on your wedding madness agenda?"

"Rehearsal dinner tomorrow night," she answered. "Hopefully that won't be too bad."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine," he assured.

When she woke up with a mild migraine on Thursday morning; Johanna had a feeling that the day was only going to get worse from there. It didn't disappoint her. Her morning was packed with appointments, and she swore that each client sounded louder than the last as the ache in her head increased. Her afternoon was spent in court; up against a pompous jackass who wanted to interrupt everything she had to say and re-question each of his witnesses after she cross examined them. He was one of those lawyers who liked to put on a show in the courtroom, and thanks to him; she was running very behind schedule. Johanna was feeling irritable and sensitive as she hurried back to her office at the end of the day.

"Your mother called to see if you left yet," Sharon announced as she entered her office. "I told her you did."

"She's going to kill me," Johanna stated as she hurriedly accepted her messages and gathered up her belongings. "There's no way I'm going to make it on time."

"What's wrong?" Jim's voice asked from the doorway as he took in the sight of a frazzled Johanna McKenzie.

"Things ran over in court and I still have to get home and get ready and there's no way I'm going to make it on time. Colleen's going to be pissed and my mother will have a fit and I'll have to hear about it for the rest of life!"

"Jo," he said; stepping forward and grasping her shoulders. "Breathe."

She sucked in a breath and exhaled slowly; trying to calm herself. "It's going to be okay," he told her. "I'll drive you home so you can get ready and I'll drive you to where you need to be. That should save you a little time."

"You'd do that?" she asked hopefully.

"Of course. Come on, Sharon can lock up the office. Let's get you on your way."

"Is your headache any better, Jo?" Sharon asked as Jim was leading her away.

"No, it's worse," she answered before saying goodnight to her secretary.

"Are you okay?" Jim asked once they were in his car and on the way to her apartment. "Maybe you shouldn't go if you aren't feeling well."

"I have to go. I'll be okay. I'll grab a pain reliever and deal with it like I always do."

"Did you have a bad day in court?"

"The worst," she answered; and she told him about it as she began taking off her jewelry and dropping it into her purse. She then kicked off her shoes and reached beneath the hem of her skirt and began to roll down her thigh high hose.

"Driving you home just got a lot more interesting," Jim commented as she pulled off one stocking and shoved it into her purse.

"I'm trying to save time. If I can take something off now, I'm taking it off."

"Take off whatever you like," he replied as she shoved the other stocking in her bag. "I don't mind."

"I'm sure you don't," she smirked as she shoved her feet back into her shoes and preceded to shrug out of her blazer as he pulled up in front of her building.

Her foot tapped nervously as they stood in the elevator, waiting for it to open on her floor and he rubbed a soothing hand along her back. "You're not going to be all that late," he told her. "It'll be fine."

"Trust me, it won't be fine," she replied as the doors opened and she hurried down the hallway. "I'm not going to have time to do my hair."

"Your hair looks fine," Jim replied. "Personally I like it down."

She smiled at him as he followed her into her bedroom. "Do you?"

"Yeah, I think it's pretty. What can I do to help you?"

Johanna snatched her dress off the closet door and draped it over her arm and then grabbed the black evening bag that was lying on top of her dresser. "Get in my purse and get my wallet, keys, compact and lipstick and throw them in this bag," she said as she tossed it to him. "I'll get changed."

He didn't really like to invade her privacy by digging into her handbag, but since she had given him permission; he grabbed it and rifled through it; taking out the specified items and placing them in the black clutch she had given him. He then dropped her discarded hosiery onto her bed, and dug out the jewelry she had dropped into her purse on the ride home and laid it on her nightstand for her. By the time he was finished, she returned to the room clad in a simple black cocktail dress.

"You look beautiful," Jim said as he smiled at her.

She gave him a small smile in return. "I don't feel very beautiful."

"You are," he assured. "What else can I do?"

Johanna sat down at her vanity. "In the closet, in the second row on the floor there's a pair of black open toed heels; get them for me please."

Jim opened her closet and laughed. "I've never seen so many shoes outside of a department store in all my life."

"You can pick on me about that later," she chuckled.

"I'll be sure to do that," he replied as he scanned the rows until he located the pair of shoes she wanted.

He carried them to her and then stopped down and put them before her feet so she could slip her feet into them as she touched up her makeup. "Anything else?"

"Yeah, hook this for me," she said as she picked up a silver necklace that had a diamond pendant dangling from it.

"That looks old," Jim observed as he hooked the dainty chain.

"It is; my great grandmother left it to me."

Johanna then grabbed a pair of silver hoop earrings and placed them in her ears and then held out her wrist for Jim to hook her bracelet. She grabbed the invitation from the nightstand and shoved it into her bag. "I think I'm ready."

"Get something for your headache," Jim insisted.

"I'll be fine."

"Jo it'll only take a few seconds. Get something so you won't be as miserable as you are now."

She relented and took the time to swallow two tablets before hurrying out of her apartment. She gave Jim the name of the church and she tapped her foot nervously the entire ride. "Fifteen minutes late," she said as he pulled over to let her out. "I'll never hear the end of it."

"Listen to me," Jim said; gently grasping her wrist before she could flee the car. "If you get to feeling worse or you just need to leave, you call me and I'll come and get you, okay?"

She smiled softly and kissed his cheek. "Okay; thanks for helping me."

"No problem. Now go in there and get it over with it."

Johanna hurried into the church, feeling her mother's angry glare upon her as soon as she stepped inside.

"It's nice of you to grace us with your presence," Paul's mother, Millicent, stated; her narrowed gaze landing upon Johanna.

"Colleen, I'm so sorry," Johanna said sincerely as she caught her sister's eye. "I swear I didn't mean for this to happen. I got tied up at work…"

"What else is new?" Colleen said tartly.

"I'm sorry," she said once again.

"You're always sorry," her sister replied; "And yet you never seem to think of anyone but yourself and your stupid job."

She felt that Colleen was the pot calling the kettle black when it came to selfishness but she held her tongue about the topic and remained silent. She felt bad about being late, but apparently her apology wasn't going to be believed or accepted.

"Let's get started now," Naomi said before she maneuvered herself into her eldest daughter's path and whispered, "We'll talk about your lateness later."

They went through the ceremony without any problems, or so they thought. Millicent seemed to think otherwise as she ordered a second run through, but not before she took a few moments to make her critiques of the bridal party…namely Johanna and Valerie.

"What is your name again, dear?" she asked somewhat snidely as she stepped in front of Johanna's sister-in-law.

"Valerie," she answered.

"Valerie, do you think it would be possible for you to walk a little more gracefully? You seem to be clomping down the aisle like a racehorse on its way to the finish line."

"Excuse me?" Valerie responded; her eyes narrowing.

"No offense, dear."

"Offense taken," Frankie spoke up from his seat in one of the pews. "My wife doesn't walk like a horse."

"There's no need to get upset, Frankie," Naomi remarked. "Millicent didn't mean anything by it."

Millicent, however, wasn't finished with Valerie just yet. She reached out and fingered a lock of Valerie's brown hair and wrinkled her nose. "Couldn't you have done something with this hair of yours? It's just hanging there, straight as a poker."

"I didn't have time for a fancy hairdo," Valerie retorted. "My son needed tending to."

"Don't you have a nanny?"

"No, I believe in raising my child myself."

"How quaint," Millicent sniffed. "Even when our nanny had the day off, I managed to be impeccably attired and well groomed."

"We're happy for you," Frankie called out. "But Valerie and I live in the real world and we enjoy being parents."

Millicent glanced to Naomi. "Your son is so sensitive. I can't imagine how you're ever able to say anything to him."

"He's always been a bit temperamental," Naomi agreed. "Just over look him."

"Valerie, dear; have you ever thought of getting a perm? I think it would improve you a great deal."

"No!" she exclaimed.

"My wife isn't getting a perm," Frankie exclaimed.

"Why not?" Millicent asked.

"Because if I wanted a poodle, I would've gotten a dog instead of a wife."

Paul's mother seemed to realize that she had pushed Frankie and Valerie far enough, which led Johanna to curse silently as she turned her attention to her.

"Don't touch my hair," Johanna said; as Millicent's hand rose to grasp a lock of her hair.

Millicent's hand dropped away. "I don't see why not; it's not like it's in danger of losing its style. It's as straight and unattractive as Valerie's."

She was already feeling irritable as it was, and having her appearance critiqued hadn't been on the invitation. "Then I guess I'm in good company," Johanna replied.

The woman glared at her. "When you walk down the aisle, could you try not to look so serious? Surely it won't kill you to smile a little more. This is your sister's wedding day; the least you could do is pretend you're happy for her."

"I am happy for her."

"And maybe for the wedding, you should do your makeup a bit better…you look much too pale…did you even bother to put any on? My goodness, Johanna; if you were going to be late, it should've been because you at least tried to make the effort to clean up your appearance. This might be fine for your job but…"

"My makeup is fine," Johanna interrupted. "This is a rehearsal; I don't have to be decked out in diamonds and frills."

"And another thing," Millicent stated as she reached for Johanna's hand; "That ghastly red nail polish has to go, dear."

"Colleen has already given me the nail polish she wants me to use," she replied; jerking her hand away; "And I assure both of you that on the day of the wedding, my nails will be the approved color. And Millicent, don't call me dear."

"Why not?"

"Because you only do it to patronize people."

"My she's a touchy one, isn't she," Millicent said to Naomi.

Her mother nodded. "She gets that from her father."

"Johanna, don't be late for the ceremony," Paul's mother instructed. "That would be the height of rudeness."

"And you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?" Johanna responded.

"She won't be late," Naomi spoke up. "She's staying with us the night before the wedding."

"Good," the other woman replied. "I just hope they do a better job on their hair and makeup for the ceremony."

"I've hired a stylist," Colleen said happily. "They'll look just fine.

Johanna closed her eyes and cringed internally; this wouldn't be good at all.

"Wonderful! Now, Frank; try not to look like your at an execution while walking Colleen down the aisle; and Cindy, dear; try to control your giggles. Now let's go through it again."

As they walked back up the aisle to re-take their places; Cindy caught up with Johanna and Valerie. "Well she's just a ray of sunshine, isn't she?" she whispered.

"Oh yeah," Johanna replied. "It's going to be a long, long night."

Johanna still wasn't feeling her best, sandwiched between her mother and grandmother at the long table in a private room of the fancy restaurant where Colleen's rehearsal dinner was being held. The appetizers had been laid out awhile before but she touched nothing; feeling repulsed at even the sight of it. Her brother hadn't seemed interested at first either, but it appeared as though hunger might be winning out.

She subtly observed Frankie as he studied the caviar, clearly not knowing what it was as he spread some on a cracker. He grimaced; his features twisting with disgust. She grinned; watching as he forced himself to swallow. "You do know that's fish eggs, right?" she asked him.

Frankie glanced at her; his disgust apparent. "You couldn't tell that before I put it in my mouth?"

"And miss your reaction? No way," she laughed.

Valerie laughed as well and her husband turned towards her. "Did you know what that was?" he asked.

"Yes," Valerie chuckled. "My mother loves the stuff; and before you ask, I didn't tell you because I wanted to see your reaction too."

"Don't you like caviar, Frankie?" Millicent asked.

"No," he replied; "I prefer my eggs to come out of a chicken; I'm funny that way."

Johanna stifled a laugh as she reached for her water glass while Naomi hissed, "Franklin!"

"What?" he shrugged. "I was just being honest with her. You don't mind honesty, do you, Millicent?"

"Of course not," she sniffed somewhat haughtily. "Not everyone has cultured tastes."

Frankie accepted the insult without flinching but he met Johanna's eye and they read each other's thoughts. They didn't fit in with the Westons.

"What's this?" Frank asked; selecting a different appetizer now that he knew to avoid the caviar, thanks to his son.

"Excellent choice, Frank," David Weston said. "That's goose liver pate."

Johanna involuntarily gagged but muffled it as a cough while her father placed the appetizer back onto the tray.

"Is there a problem?" David asked.

"No," Frank stated. "It's just that I have this allergy...I'm allergic to liver."

"Really?" Millicent asked. "I never heard of such a thing."

Frank nodded. "It's a very rare condition. There are no pills or shots for it or anything."

"Oh my," Mrs. Weston replied. "What would happen if you accidentally ate some?"

"Oh it would be horrible," Frank remarked. "My throat would close, I'd break out in hives...probably have convulsions. It could even be fatal."

Millicent's eyes were wide as she took it all in; not noticing that Naomi had her hand over her face in shame. "Colleen, dear," Millicent said; "Why didn't you tell us about this."

"Because I didn't know," Colleen replied as she glared at her father.

Frankie was turning purple from trying to hold in his laughter and every time Johanna looked at him, she had to suppress her own giggles which were struggling to get free.

"Jo," her brother said suddenly; "I just remembered something very important that I need to speak to you about. Would you mind stepping outside for a minute?"

"It can wait," Naomi said sharply.

"I'm afraid I'll forget about it again," he said as he jumped up from his seat; Johanna doing the same. "Please excuse us," he stated. "We'll only be a minute."

He took hold of Johanna's arm and practically dragged her to the door of the restaurant. Once they were outside and out of view of the door; they both burst into laughter. "Dad's come up with some stories in his time," Frankie said as he tried to catch his breath; "But that has to be the best one."

"And he did it with a straight face," Johanna giggled; which only made her head feel worse but she couldn't help herself.

"And that old bag Millicent actually bought it; but I have uncultured tastes," he mimicked. "At least I know a load of malarkey when I hear it."

"And that was a pretty big load."

Frankie scrubbed a hand over his face as a few left over chuckles broke free. "This isn't going to be good, Sis."

"Oh I know, we're not even through the appetizers yet."

"At least now we know where Colleen is learning to be uppity."

"Yeah," Johanna agreed. "She's a little Millicent in training."

They stood there for a moment more before Frankie spoke again. "Should we make a run for it?"

"I wish we could but Mom would kill us and she's on my back enough as it is."

"Tell her the ride is over and to get off," Frankie stated. "Quit letting her walk on you."

"It's not that easy."

"It is for me. She'll get over it."

"One crisis at a time," Johanna said. "First I have to get through this dinner without puking."

Her brother nodded. "That's going to be difficult. I can't wait to see what the main course is."

"I have a feeling we don't want to know."

He sighed. "Guess we better go back in."

"Yeah," she agreed; "And we have to make it look good, so play along with whatever I say."

"Alright," he said as he opened the door for her.

"Send those papers over to me first thing Monday morning and I'll look them over and let you know if I think you need to take further action," Johanna stated as they neared the table.

Frankie gave a nod. "I'll bring them over myself. What time will you be in your office?"

"I'm always there by eight."

"Is your business concluded now?" Naomi asked sternly.

"Yeah, everything is taken care of now," Johanna answered; ignoring her mother's glare.

"Colleen," Millicent stated; "While we have our appetizers, why don't you introduce your bridal party?"

Colleen smiled and rose from her seat; moving to stand behind her closest bridesmaid. "This is my amazing best friend, Bethany. All of my best times have been spent with her. We always have so much fun together and she's always there for me. I'd be lost without her."

Frankie rolled his eyes as his sister embraced her best friend and then moved on their cousin.

"And this is my favorite cousin Cindy; we spent a lot of time together growing up and we were even lucky enough to go to junior high together. I'm so glad she could be apart of this."

Colleen gave a similar glowing review for her friend Alyssa and then she moved to Valerie. "This is my wonderful sister-in-law Valerie, who I adore...even though being a mommy has made her a bit of a drag lately," she said with a laugh; "But I love her anyway; although I still don't know how she puts up with my brother."

Valerie looked up at Colleen through slightly narrowed eyes; unpleased at being called a drag but Colleen didn't seem to notice as she moved to stand beside Johanna. "This is my maid of honor, Johanna...she's my sister," she stated and then she turned walked back towards her seat. Johanna was stung by her sister's lack of comment when it came to her.

"That was cold," Frankie murmured.

Johanna nodded; now she knew where she stood. "I love you too, Colleen," she stated; a touch of sarcasm in her voice.

Colleen didn't respond, merely went back to her own conversations. Johanna felt a gentle pat on her knee. Her grandmother was sitting next to her and she turned her head to look at Sophia. Her grandmother smiled warmly; a sympathetic and understanding sparkle in her eyes. Johanna returned her smile and squeezed her hand for a second. Sophia then turned her attention to the appetizers and selected one.

"This looks interesting," she stated. "What is it?"

"Escargot," Millicent said proudly.

The term was familiar to Sophia but she couldn't quite place it. "Darling," she said as she turned to Johanna; "I'm getting old; refresh my memory."

"They're snails, Grandma."

A look of disgust crossed Sophia's face as she hurriedly dropped the snail and wiped her hands on the linen napkin. "Snails!" she exclaimed. "The day will never come when I eat something that leaves a slimy trail on the sidewalk. I'd rather starve."

"I wonder if they leave a slimy trail down your throat?" Frankie commented as he eyed the tray.

"Eat one and find out," Johanna replied. "I'll give you ten bucks."

He shook his head. "No thanks; you try it."

"No way."

"They're very good," Colleen remarked.

Their brother burst into laughter. "You eat snails?"

"Yes," she retorted hotly.

"I want to see that," Frankie stated.

"Me too," Johanna added.

"Go ahead, Bug; show us how you eat a snail," he taunted.

"Bug?" Millicent said; her nose wrinkling. "What a dreadful thing to call your sister."

"It's just a nickname we gave her when we were kids," Frankie replied.

"It was always said with affection," their cousin Cindy chimed in.

"I think it's horrid," Paul's mother stated.

"I never approved of it," Naomi remarked.

Frankie looked at her as if she had grown a second head. "When was that? I remember you telling her that nicknames were a sign of affection."

"I remember that too, Naomi," her husband stated.

"I said no such thing! I told you two not to call her that any more."

"What's the big deal?" Frankie asked. "She bugged us so we nicknamed her bug; it could've been something worse. I mean I'm not offended by the nickname they gave me."

"Which was what?" Millicent asked.

"The Demon," Johanna replied with a smile.

Cindy giggled at the memory and Frankie grinned at her. "Hey, Cindy; I dare you to try a snail."

She shook her head. "I can't; I gave up snails for lent."

"Lent's over," he replied.

"Not for me."

"Wait a minute," Frankie said; "You're not even Catholic!"

Cindy laughed. "I converted."

Colleen snatched a snail from the tray and ate it as her siblings watched in horror. Johanna noticed that she didn't have as easy of a time swallowing it as she wanted to act like but she said nothing about it.

"Wow," Frankie said; "I never saw a bug eat a snail before."

"I don't think I ever want to see it again," Johanna responded.

"What was your nickname, dear?" Millicent asked coolly.

Her brother smiled. "Oh we call Jo, Mouthy…or 'the mouth' depending on her mood."

"Charming," Mrs. Weston sniffed.

"Enough with the names," Naomi said through clenched teeth as she eyed her children.

The conversation ceased between the two families and they all returned to talking to their own preferred friends and relatives while those who were brave, snacked on the appetizers.

The waiters eventually appeared with wine bottles and once they had finished their rounds, Valerie picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. Her eyes widened and she coughed and sputtered as she forced herself to swallow instead of spitting it back out. "You okay, Val?" Frankie asked as he patted her back. "Did you swallow too fast?"

"No," she coughed. "It's the wine."

"What's wrong with it?" Johanna asked quietly as she warily eyed her glass.

"Taste it," Valerie told her.

Johanna lifted the glass with trepidation and took a sip; her toes curling in her shoes as the taste hit her tongue. "Oh lord," she muttered.

"What's wrong?" Colleen asked.

"I think they gave us a bad bottle of wine," Valerie answered.

"Impossible," Millicent said as she picked up her glass and took a healthy sip. "It tastes perfectly fine."

"It is one of the finest wines on the market," David remarked. "They're the last company who still uses the method of stomping the grapes."

"That could explain the taste," Johanna said as she stared down into her glass. "Someone forgot to wash their feet."

Naomi stepped on Johanna's foot in warning and shot Frank a glare as he chuckled.

"Reminds me of that grape stomping episode of I Love Lucy," Valerie commented.

"I love that one," Johanna replied. "Remember when we used to watch those shows together, Colleen? I mean I know none of the moments you shared with me count among the best times of your life but I thought we had fun."

"Nice shot," her brother murmured as Colleen caught her eye.

"I remember," she stated; accepting the backhanded comment with the intent it carried...a little return slap for the one she had dealt her sister earlier.

"I bet Lucy washed her feet first before she stomped grapes," Sophia commented after tasting her wine.

"Mother!" Naomi said tartly.

"Oh shut up, Naomi," the old woman replied. "I was just making a joke."

A small laugh escaped Johanna's lips before she could stop it and Millicent glared at her. "What?" she asked. "I find my grandmother amusing."

"That may be...and apparently your experience with wine is limited and on par with your sense of humor."

Johanna smiled; she was getting tired of this woman. "My great grandmother gave me my first sip of wine when I was twelve and since that time I have tasted many different brands and vintages; and I assure you, Millicent; that none of them were of the two dollar variety like you imply."

Millicent eyed her coolly. "Well aren't you something?"

Johanna's brow rose in challenge. "Do you have something you want to say on the topic?"

The other woman held her stare for a moment and then glanced away. "I see what you mean about your sister, Colleen."

"I figured you would," Colleen answered.

Johanna's temper was flaring as she glanced toward her sister. "Colleen, if there's something on your mind; I'd be more than happy to step outside with you and discuss it."

"That won't be necessary," she replied.

"Johanna, if you don't like the wine don't drink it," Naomi intervened. "You don't need it anyway if you're working tomorrow."

"Johanna didn't start this conversation," Valerie spoke up; "I did. I figured the wine was bad and a new bottle was in order but apparently it's just an acquired taste."

"Then my advice holds for you as well, Valerie," her mother-in-law stated.

"You may all order whatever you like to drink," Mr. Weston stated as he waved the waited over. "It's not a problem."

"I'd like a beer," Frank stated as the waiter approached.

"Oh, Frank; really?" his wife chastened.

"What's wrong with that?" he asked. "Colleen, do you mind if I have a beer?"

"No, not that it would matter if I did."

"Here's our beer list, Sir," the waiter stated as he handed it over.

Frank slipped on his reading glasses and scanned the list. "Where's the Budweiser?"

The waiter looked down his nose. "We don't serve that brand. We deal exclusively in imported beers."

"Imported?" Frank retorted. "America isn't good enough for you?"

"That isn't the case at all," the man stated snobbishly. "We just pride ourselves on offering products that aren't so…common."

Frank eyed him; "You know why things are common? Because people like them!"

"Frank!" his wife warned.

"I never heard something so stupid in all my life," he went on.

"What will it be, sir?" the waiter demanded to know.

"Water," Frank stated. "I'll just stick with water."

The waiter then turned to Johanna. "Miss? Would you like to see the wine list for something different?"

"No; can I just have a Coke?" she asked.

"We don't serve sodas," the waiter sniffed.

"That's okay, I'm not feeling very well anyway; can I just get a cup of tea?"

"Make that two," Valerie remarked.

"I'll get the list," he stated.

"The list…for tea?" Johanna asked.

"It's probably imported like the beer," her father replied.

The waiter handed a list to both Johanna and Valerie and they each scanned it. Johanna sighed. "I guess you don't have the kind that I get from a tea bag at home; do you?"

"Of course not," the waiter replied as if he had been highly insulted. "We only provide the best teas the world has to offer...and Lipton tea bags are not among them."

"I see," she replied.

"I have tea bags in my purse!" Sophia announced as she grabbed her bag from the floor. "Just bring my granddaughter and I two cups of hot water, sonny; we'll make our own."

"Oh my God," Naomi mumbled as she hid her face in her hands.

"Make it three," Valerie remarked. "That is if you have enough, Grandma."

"I have plenty," Sophia replied as she dug in her big black bag and came up with the items.

"Thank God for Grandma's bag of tricks," Frankie laughed.

Paul's family looked at Sophia as if she was some eccentric old woman who needed locked away somewhere and Colleen had been making it a point not to do much associating with the family all evening, Johanna noticed. It was like she thought she was too good for them...and maybe she did, sitting there with her nose in the air just like Millicent. Well, she could have the Westons and their snobbiness if she wanted. Better Colleen than her.

"What's wrong with you?" Naomi asked her as she caught her eye.

"What?" Johanna asked in confusion.

"You said you weren't feeling well. What's the problem?"

"I have one of those bad headaches I get. I've had it since last night."

"Darling, why didn't you say so?" her grandmother asked; opening up a section of her purse and pulling out everything from band-aids and antacids, to cough drops and pain relievers. "I'll give you something for it."

"Put that stuff away!" Naomi demanded. "Honestly, Johanna; control your grandmother!"

Johanna hurriedly gathered up the things Sophia had took from her purse and helped her put them back. "That's okay, Grandma; I've already taken something for it at home. It just has to run its course."

"Do you suffer from headaches often?" Millicent asked.

"Sometimes."

"And what is it that you do again?" the woman asked snidely; making Johanna's jaw tighten.

Johanna met her gaze. "I'm a lawyer."

Millicent nodded as Colleen smiled down at her wine glass. "That probably explains it."

"How do you figure?"

"Well, dear, you're trying to do a man's job...your brain just isn't equipped for that sort of stress."

"I agree," Paul's grandmother Beatrice spoke up. "The law is a man's domain."

Red hot anger flowed through her veins. "That is a belief that's only held by narrow minded people who can't accept that women are capable of doing more than cooking, cleaning and popping out babies," Johanna stated. "It's also a belief held by women who have nothing better to do than look down their noses at people they can't possibly understand...because you see, their minds just aren't wired for that kind of stress."

"Johanna," her mother said through clenched teeth.

"So you think you're just as capable as a man?" Millicent asked.

"I don't think it, I know it. I'm not the type of woman who needs someone to pass her the smelling salts when things get a little rough out there in the world...but if you need some, Millicent; maybe my grandmother has some in her purse."

Sophia shook her head. "I don't carry that stuff; that's for wimps. Wave a snail under her nose."

Frankie spit his water out as he laughed and Naomi glowered at all of them.

"Are you still single, dear?" Beatrice Weston asked.

"I am," Johanna answered.

"I'm not surprised," the old lady stated. "A woman who thinks she's a man's equal isn't a woman that a man wants for a wife."

"Well then that man isn't a man I'd want to be with," she retorted sharply.

Beatrice smirked. "Every family needs at least one spinster."

"I guess Jo will be ours," Colleen laughed.

"Oh I don't think so," Frankie spoke up. "If Colleen can find a husband; there's plenty of hope for Johanna."

"I wish you'd all quit acting like my daughter needs to be auctioned off like cattle," Frank stated; his face red with indignation; "And just so you all know; my daughter does her job just as well as any man can. She has a brain and she was taught to use it, not to sit in the corner sewing dollies while waiting for some man to come along to support her. I wanted my girls to make something of themselves and to be able to take care of themselves; and they have. Now all of you back off of her; and that goes for you too, Miss Colleen," Frank said; pointing a finger at her. "I've just about had it with your prissy ass and I wouldn't be afraid to bet that you orchestrated this mudslinging session for your sister as some sort of payback for some perceived slight. Well it stops now; because the next person who makes a derogatory remark towards my daughter is getting hit and I don't give a damn who they are. She didn't come here to be slandered."

Tears stung Johanna's eyes as she looked down at the table. She couldn't ever remember her father publicly defending her like that before...and while she knew she'd probably never experience that again, she took it to heart and cherished it as a rare show of affection on his behalf.

"Don't you lower your head, Johanna," Frank stated. "You're a McKenzie."

She shot him a grateful look as she blinked back her tears and raised her aching head.

"It's not my fault if my sister is obsessed with her work," Colleen said as she held Frank's glare.

"I said it stops now," he told her; his tone low and menacing. "This is supposed to be about your wedding; not getting back at your sister for something and not for snubbing your own family while you put on airs for the new one."

"Maybe I'm ashamed to be apart of your family," Colleen shot back.

"We can leave," Frank retorted. "It won't hurt my feelings a bit."

"No one is going anywhere!" Naomi exclaimed. "Sit down and shut up and for God's sake would you all act like you have some manners?"

The table fell silent after Naomi's outburst and she glanced at Johanna. "You and I are going to have a talk later."

"Can't hardly wait," she scoffed softly.

Naomi glanced to Paul's mother. "I apologize for my family, Millicent. They're not usually so ill mannered."

Millicent sniffed. "That's quite alright, Naomi. I'm sure they didn't acquire those traits from you. David; tell them we're ready for the main course."

As they waited for the main course to be served; the conversations settled into calmer waters. It seemed as though there was a divide, Johanna thought to herself; the Westons and Colleen at one end; the McKenzies at the other…and she had a feeling that her mother would rather be on the Weston side of the table. She fought back a scowl as a plate was set down before her. There was something brown and somewhat grayish on the plate and it was covered with what she assumed was supposed to be orange sauce. It didn't look the least bit appetizing to her queasy stomach.

Johanna glanced across the table at Frankie and watched him poke the substance with his fork. His gaze collided with hers as he looked up and he mouthed, "What the hell is this?"

She subtly shrugged a shoulder and mouthed back. "I have no idea."

He poked it some more and Johanna picked up her fork and did the same; studying it as she moved it around her plate. "What the hell is this?" Frank exclaimed; causing his eldest children to fight back their laughter.

"It's pheasant, Frank," David replied.

"Pheasant?" Frank repeated as he stared at his plate. "I thought we were having steak."

"We thought about that," Millicent remarked. "But steaks are so ordinary. We thought it would be nice to have something more sophisticated. Pheasant is very good; I'm sure you'll like it."

"I don't know about that," he muttered. "I prefer meat I can identify. This is ridiculous, I can't get a beer and I'm being served mystery meat. I sure as hell hope the wedding menu is going to be better."

"Frank," his wife hissed once again. "Behave yourself."

"What Dad means," Frankie spoke up; "Is that we prefer our meat to have lived a previous life on a farm. We're fond of cows, pigs, and chickens, and on the holidays, we like a nice big turkey that wasn't lucky enough to be pardoned by the White House. Isn't that right, Jo?"

Johanna nodded. "That sounds about right."

"It will do you all good to try something new," Naomi said firmly.

Frankie and Johanna shared a look as they both stabbed their forks into the pheasant. She did her best not to grimace as the taste of the sauce hit her mouth. She had tasted orange sauce before but this was even worse than her previous experience with it and she hoped she'd never have to taste it again. She forced herself to concentrate on the taste of the meat and found it to be somewhat dry, as if it had been overcooked. She glanced toward her brother and saw him struggling to swallow, while Valerie seemed to be scanning the table in desperation for something else she could eat. With the exception of the Westons, no one seemed to like the dish; although Colleen was dutifully shoving it in her mouth.

"Perhaps this is another one of those 'acquired tastes'," Millicent remarked snidely.

"Here's what it comes down to, Millicent," Frankie stated. "We're Irish and Italian; we don't understand pheasant. We understand things like, steaks, pork chops, potatoes, pasta..."

"Fettuccini," Johanna added; an instant craving hitting her as she looked down at her plate.

"In a nice butter sauce," Valerie said longingly.

"Butter," Frankie said; "That's another thing we like. Butter, gravy, ketchup, spices...pizza."

"I detest Italian food," Millicent declared; her nose wrinkling. "It's so...heavy."

"So do I," Beatrice agreed. "Italian food is nothing but spice and flash...much like the people themselves."

Johanna felt Sophia stiffen at her side. "Oh boy," she mumbled.

"Do you have a problem with Italians, Beatrice?" Sophia asked; her accent seemingly a touch thicker.

"As a matter of fact, I do," the old woman retorted. "I find Italians to be crude and boorish."

"Crude and boorish!" Sophie exclaimed; "And just where do your illustrious ancestors hail from?"

"Why England of course," she replied haughtily.

"That figures," Sophia replied. "The English have always been cold blooded and full of themselves...just like a bag of wind."

"At least England didn't have to switch sides during the war!"

"If Italy had known they were joining ranks with the likes of you, Beatrice; we would've remained an enemy!"

"Mother, stop it!" Naomi exclaimed.

"I will not stop!" Sophia replied. "I won't sit here and have my heritage maligned! I didn't get on that boat in 1899 and come to America to be insulted by a bunch of blue blooded, holier than thou battle axes!"

"I'll have you know that my family came here on the Mayflower," Beatrice retorted. "We've been in this country for longer than you have!"

"By the looks of you, you came over on the Santa Maria with Columbus," Sophia responded. "I wish I could have your nose full of nickels; I'd be a very wealthy woman."

Johanna slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing as her brother dropped his head into his hands and shook with quiet laughter.

"You're one to talk!" Beatrice replied. "You look like an old crow...a wrinkled up one at that!"

"You have more wrinkles than I do, you old bag."

"Mother, if you don't stop," Naomi threatened.

Sophia ignored her and turned her attention to Colleen. "You couldn't find a nice Italian family to marry into."

"I don't want an Italian family," Colleen replied.

"Oh of course not," Sophia stated; "You think you're hot stuff now."

"You know, Beatrice," Frank spoke up; "My daughter is half Italian; are you against her marrying your grandson?"

"Not at all," she answered. "She doesn't act Italian in any way."

"Give her time and she will," Frank remarked.

"I don't classify myself as being Italian or Irish," Colleen announced. "I'm an American."

"I'll get you a fife and drum for Christmas," Frankie told her; earning himself a glare.

"Clearly Colleen aspires to be of a better class," Millicent announced. "We welcome her into our family with open arms."

"Despite her Italian ancestry," Beatrice said with a glare at Sophia.

"That's it," Sophia said; "I'm going to fix you."

Naomi's fingernails sunk into Johanna's arm. "Stop her."

"Grandma, don't," she said; laying a hand on the woman's arm but it was already too late; Sophia was mumbling in Italian as she glared at Beatrice.

"Am I supposed to be afraid?" Beatrice asked.

"You better be," Sophia told her. "My grandmother was Sicilian; she taught me well."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Naomi hid her face in her hand as Sophia answered, "I put the eye on you."

"Superstitious nonsense," Beatrice said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"You won't be laughing when you wake up one morning missing your hair and teeth," Sophia replied.

Paul laughed as he looked at his grandmother's face and the woman glared at him. "You think it's funny, Paul?"

The groom shook his head and ceased his laughter. "Of course not, Grandmother."

Sophia looked at him with disgust. "For God's sake, Paul; if you want to laugh, laugh. What are you? A man or a pansy?"

Naomi reached across Johanna and grabbed her mother's arm. "That is enough out of you," she stated. Sophie glared at her daughter but fell silent.

After a few minutes, Frank looked to Beatrice and said, "So how do you feel about the Irish?"

The old woman sniffed. "They're alright...they're a sturdy breed."

"A sturdy breed," he muttered; "My father will love that."

"Speaking of your father, Frank," Sophia said; "Where's Patrick?"

"He said he'd rather be horse whipped," Frank answered.

"Was that option?" Johanna asked. "I might've signed up for it."

Millicent Weston glared at her. "Someone should take a whip to you, young lady."

Johanna smiled and decided to shock the woman by twisting her words. "I don't go for that kinky stuff with whips, Millicent. I'm not that kind of girl."

"Johanna Elizabeth," her mother said through clenched teeth.

Millicent pointed a finger at her. "That mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble one day very soon."

Johanna smirked. "If you feel froggy, Milly; take a leap."

"Hell, Johanna," Frankie stated; "Don't mention frogs. They might bring out a plate of those next."

"We don't eat frogs," Frank stated. "We leave that up to the French."

"I'm part French," Millicent remarked.

"That doesn't surprise me," Sophia replied. "You look like you've sucked on a few bad toads in your life."

Frankie raised his glass. "And here's to another successful joining of two families...God help us all."

As Johanna and Nomi stood outside the restaurant, waiting for Frank to finish speaking to a colleague inside, Naomi turned towards her daughter, anger written in her features. "Johanna, I have never been as ashamed of you as I am tonight."

"I didn't do anything," she retorted.

"Didn't do anything?" Naomi repeated; her eyes wide with disbelief. "Let's start with how you were fifteen minutes late for the rehearsal."

"I said I was sorry. I didn't know that things were going to run late at work. It was out of my control."

"You knew you had somewhere to be at a certain time, Johanna. You should've ended your day on time or earlier."

She scoffed. "I hate to inform you of this, Mother; but I can't get up and walk out a courtroom in the middle of a case just to suit you."

"And another thing," Naomi said sharply; "Your attitude tonight was deplorable! All evening you sat around with that sour look on your face; acting like it was just killing you to be a part of things."

"It's not that I don't want to be a part of it, Mom. I told you that I didn't feel well; that I have one of those damn headaches."

"How convenient."

Tears stung her eyes. It wasn't often that her mother accused her of being a liar...especially when she wasn't being one. Her feelings were already raw from being picked at all night and she felt sensitive and angry. The ache in her head seemed to increase and she squinted against the outdoor lighting of the building. "I'm not lying," she insisted; "And you of all people should know it. You know that I've had these headaches ever since I was a teenager."

"Even if you do have a headache, it's no excuse for your behavior. You were very rude to Millicent..."

"She was rude to me! She was rude to all of us, including you; but you're too busy sucking up to her to realize it!"

"Don't take that tone with me," Naomi responded. "I know some of Millicent's comments weren't very kind, but you were raised to be a lady and a lady would've overlooked it and minded her manners."

"So I'm just supposed to sit there and smile demurely while she tells me that I'm not capable of doing my job because I'm a woman?"

Her mother sighed with disgust. "She is not the only person who holds that opinion and besides, you should used to it by now. I'm sure you've encountered it before."

Johanna eyed her. "Let me ask you something, Mom; are you one of those people that hold that opinion? Do you think I'm incapable of doing my job?"

"No; of course not. Women can do whatever they please; but if I had known this career was going to take over your life, I might not have encouraged it...but it seemed to be the one thing you and your father could see eye to eye on."

Her teeth sank into her lip and she swallowed hard. "And I suppose I should've been silent about the remarks calling me a spinster as well?"

"Well let's face it, Johanna; you aren't getting any younger and apparently you have no prospects. Poor Henry tried to get your attention all night long but you kept giving him the brush off."

Her temper flared. "I spoke to Henry anytime he spoke to me, but get this through your head," she stated firmly as she held her gaze. "I am not interested in Henry. I don't want him, I don't like him, and I'm not going to date him and frankly I don't give a damn if you like it or not. He's not my type."

"Maybe you're too choosy."

"And maybe you need to mind your own business," Johanna said hotly. "Some of us aren't willing to settle for the first man who walks by."

"You know what," Naomi replied; "I think Colleen's right; you are jealous."

She rolled her eyes; a scoff passing through her lips. "I am so sick and tired of being accused of jealousy when it isn't true!"

"Oh it isn't?"

"No! I do not want what Colleen has. I don't want her tacky, tasteless wedding. I don't want a dull, spineless man like her fiancé, and I don't want to be married into a family like the one she's getting!"

"There is nothing wrong with the Westons! And Paul has been nothing but kind to you! Good God, Johanna; I just don't know what to make of you these last few weeks."

"I didn't say Paul wasn't kind; I'm just agreeing with Dad's assessment of him. He's dull and he's spineless. Colleen's going to walk all over that man. I want a man who makes me feel alive; one who will stand up to me and fight with me or fight for me. I want a man who respects who I am and loves me for it. I want passion…"

"Where on earth did you learn talk like that?" Naomi interrupted. "Have you been reading too many romance novels?"

A lump grew in her throat; her eyes burning with tears she refused to shed as she shook her head. "You don't understand…you just don't understand me at all."

"I understand plenty. You spend all your time wrapped up in your job, just like your sister said. Maybe if you kept your nose out of law books a little more, you'd be able to have a life. Maybe you'd be able to find a good man to settle down with."

Her head throbbed painfully and her heart felt like a knife had just been jabbed into it. "You don't know me at all, Mama," she said softly. "You think you know so much…but you don't. I have a life and it doesn't revolve completely around the office and your dinner table on Sundays like you seem to think. I don't spend all of my time alone.

"If that's the case, then spend a little less time concentrating on your career and a little more time doing what you should be; finding a husband, settling down and starting a family!"

"Why? Because that's what's your good children have done? You don't want my singleness to be a blemish on your record?"

"I want what's best for you! I want you to be happy!"

"Then why do you insist on doing this?" Johanna cried. "Constantly nagging me doesn't make me happy! I've told you that before!"

"I want my children to be settled with families of their own," Naomi said through clenched teeth.

"Well you know what, Mother; when it comes to your children, Frankie's the heir to the throne and Colleen's your perfect little princess and I'm just the worthless bitch that sprung up in the middle of your garden like a weed."

Naomi's hand cracked against her cheek before she could even blink. "Don't you ever say that again," she said furiously. "Ever! Do you hear me!"

Her face stung and she fought to hold the tears at bay. "You know what," Johanna said; her voice trembling with hurt and rage. "When this wedding is over Saturday, we're going to be done for awhile."

Naomi was taken aback by the statement. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that we're going to spend some time apart. I'm not coming over to visit. I'm not coming to dinner. I'm not calling you and I'm not taking any calls or visits at my office unless someone is sick or dying."

"There's no call for that!" her mother protested; a sheen of moisture gathering in her eyes. "You've already stopped coming by as often as you were."

Johanna nodded "And now I won't come at all."

"For how long?"

"I don't know. I guess it depends on how long it takes you to accept me for who I am and that this is my life and I'll live it the way I choose."

"I do accept you."

"No you don't...you used to; but you don't anymore. You just want me to be a carbon copy of Colleen and that's not going to happen; and spare me the lecture about wanting me to be happy because this isn't about my happiness; it's about yours. You and Colleen have pushed too far and now I'm done; so you get a real good look at me these next two days because it's going to be awhile before you see me again," she stated firmly before turning on her heel and walking away.

"Johanna!" Naomi called after her but she kept walking.

"Johanna Elizabeth!"

She increased her pace, knowing that her mother wouldn't follow if she got too far ahead of her. She heard her name being called again as she rounded the corner. Her heart was pounding, and her stomach was twisted in knots as she traveled down the busy sidewalk; the noise aggravating her headache. She spotted a phone booth near a coffee shop and she ducked inside it and dug a dime out of her purse and dropped it into the phone; dialing Jim's number and asking him to come to her rescue.

Once Johanna had turned on the lights in her apartment and laid aside her purse and keys, Jim caught sight of the light red mark marring her pale cheek. "How did you get this mark on your face?" he asked as he stepped towards her and brushed his fingertips against it.

"My mother slapped me."

"Your mother!" he exclaimed; and then seeing her wince at the volume of his voice, he softened his tone. "Why did your mother slap you?"

"We had words," she replied; rubbing her fingers against her aching head. "Apparently she didn't like the words I chose...among other things."

"Your headache hasn't gotten any better has it?" he asked with concern as he paused his original questioning.

"No," she said softly; feeling the weight of the day press down on her slender shoulders and the constant throbbing in her head. A lump welled up in her throat; her eyes burning with tears that she had been fighting all night.

Jim saw the sheen of moisture glimmering in her eyes and he gently tilted her chin up so that she would look at him. "Is it that bad, sweetheart? Do you need to go to a doctor? I'll take you."

She managed a weary smile. "No; I don't need a doctor. There's really nothing they can do it for it anyway. It just has to run its course."

"Is there anything I can do to help make it better?"

It all seemed to crash down on her then; she wasn't going to be able to hold back much longer. "Can you just hold me?" she asked softly; the slightest tremor in her voice.

His arms were around her in an instant, pulling her against him. Johanna tucked her head beneath his chin; her arms wrapping around him tightly as she breathed in his scent. It only took moments before the first sob broke free; her tears falling rapidly and seeping through the material of his shirt. Jim rubbed her back and pressed kisses against her hair as he murmured soft, soothing words to her, allowing her to cry without question until her sobs eased. He gently pulled back from her and cupped her damp face; his thumbs wiping away the tracks of her tears. It was so easy to see that she didn't feel well and that her night had been a disaster. She seemed so small and fragile in his arms and protectiveness welled up within him, making him want to scoop her up and make everything that was troubling her go away.

"Listen," he said quietly; "I think you need to lay down, sweetheart. How about you go change your clothes and I'll make you a cup of tea and bring it to you."

She hesitated for a moment; fearing that he'd leave once he had her tucked in her bed with a hot cup of tea. "Will you stay with me for awhile?"

He gave her a smile. "Of course I will if that's what you want."

"That's what I want," she allowed herself to admit as she found her way back into his arms.

He gave her a gentle squeeze and then carefully pulled out of her embrace. "Go on; I'll get your tea."

Johanna moved away from him and headed to her bedroom where she grabbed her pajamas and carried them into the bathroom with her. She washed off her makeup and then reached for the zipper of her dress, only to find that it wanted to be stubborn and add to her problems. If she had been in a better frame of mind, she would've debated about whether to go ask Jim to help her or if she should try to find another solution to her problem. Tonight, however, she was too tired to quibble over whether it was right to ask or not. She padded towards the kitchen without much thought and paused in the doorway.

"Jim," she said quietly; pulling him from his thoughts as he waited for the water to heat for her tea.

"What's wrong?"

"I think the zipper is stuck on my dress...can you get it?" she asked; shifting on her feet, awkwardness suddenly slamming into her despite her 'I don't care' attitude she had moments before.

He could tell that she felt somewhat awkward for asking and he didn't want to make it worse for her by teasing her or making a big deal out of it. He moved towards her and took her arm, turning her so that her back was facing him and then he swept her dark hair to the side; forcing himself to shove aside the sudden urge to kiss the soft skin of her neck. This wasn't the night for such things. She was sick and vulnerable, the last thing she needed was a come on. Jim reached for the zipper and gave it a few tugs before he finally got it to move and then he slid it down to the center of her back. "Do you think you can get it the rest of the way?" he asked; afraid that taking it the rest of the way might make her feel uncomfortable.

"Yeah, I think so," she replied; reaching back and grasping the zipper, moving it the slightest bit to make sure it was working now. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he replied; acting as though unzipping her dress was something he did every day.

She retreated back through the apartment, going back into the bathroom and changing into her pajamas, and taking two more tablets for her headache. When she was finished, she then headed into her bedroom and pulled back the covers before crawling in. Jim appeared minutes later, carrying her tea. She accepted the cup with a grateful smile as he kicked off his shoes before settling in next to her. She took a few swallows of her tea and then sat the cup on the nightstand before lying down on her side to face Jim.

"What did they serve at the dinner?" he asked; mirroring her position and then reaching out to massage his thumb across her forehead. Johanna closed her eyes at the sensation; feeling some of the tension leave her body.

"Pheasant."

"Pheasant?" he repeated with a soft laugh. "Who the hell serves pheasant?"

A small laugh escaped her. "Apparently Paul's snobby parents. They thought it was wonderful...Dad asked them what the hell it was."

"I take it he wasn't happy?"

"No; he wanted a steak...I would've settled for a burger."

"You mean you didn't care for your pheasant?" he teased.

Johanna grinned. "No I didn't. It was dry and that orange sauce was gross."

"What else was there?"

She listed the rest of the food that had been there, laughing softly at the faces he made as she mentioned certain items.

"That's the most disgusting sounding meal I've ever heard of, Jo."

"Yeah, I know. I don't know who gagged more; me, Frankie or Grandma."

"What about your Dad?"

"Dad doesn't gag; he verbalizes his disgust whenever possible...like when he asked for a beer and they gave him a list of imported beers he had never heard of," she said with a slight laugh at the memory. "He was yelling that all he wanted was a Budweiser."

"That's pretty bad when you can't even get a name brand beer."

"I can beat that; I couldn't even get a Coke, apparently that restaurant is far too sophisticated for sodas and favored brands of beer. Even the list for tea was everything but what I wanted. Thank God Grandma had teabags in her purse."

Jim laughed. "Your grandmother carries tea bags in her purse?"

"My grandmother has everything you need in her purse," she told him; amusement gleaming in her eyes. "When I told her I had a headache, she started dumping out the pharmacy section of her purse. Mom had a fit about that; but then again, Mom was in a snit all night."

"Why?"

"We disgraced her," Johanna answered. "She forgot to tell us to act high class instead of acting like ourselves. I don't know who she was trying to be tonight but she's highly pissed off."

"Is that why she slapped you?"

"No; I was special enough to get my own private lecture while we stood outside the restaurant."

"What happened?" he gently prodded.

Johanna sighed and then told him everything; tears reappearing as she finished up the story by speaking of how she told her mother that they wouldn't be seeing or speaking to each other for awhile after the wedding was over.

"You did the right thing, Johanna," he told her quietly.

"Then why do I feel so horrible? I mean I intend to stick to what I said but I feel bad."

"You feel bad because you love her and you don't want to hurt her feelings...but she's hurt your feelings a lot lately and I think that taking some time away from them is just what you need."

"I know," she murmured. "I guess it's just hard to take that stance against her."

"Sure it is; but you can't let her treat you like that just because she's your mother."

She gave a small nod. "You're right."

"Does this help any?" Jim asked as he switched from using his thumb to massage her forehead and pressed two fingers against her skin instead; and resuming the task.

"Yeah, it does," she replied; hoping that he wouldn't stop any time soon as it did seem to be easing the pain a little.

"What else happened at the dinner?"

"Paul's mother and grandmother made it their mission to insult me."

"Why?"

Johanna shrugged a shoulder. "I don't know. I guess they don't like me, which is fine with me because I don't like them either. I'm glad they're going to be Colleen's in-laws and not mine."

"What did they say?"

"Well for starters, Millicent; that's Paul's mother, made the remark that being an attorney is a man's job and that I probably have a headache because I can't handle the work."

"She's out of her damn mind!" Jim exclaimed.

Johanna laid her fingertips against his lips. "Don't yell, honey. It makes my head throb."

"Sorry," he said quietly; kissing her fingertips as warmth filled him at the sound of her endearment echoing in his ears. "You do your job just as well as any man in the office...and better, in the case of Stanley and Charles and probably a few others."

"I know. She's just a snobby, stuck up bitch."

He grinned at her assessment. "I hope you told her that."

"No; but I told her that belief was only held by narrow minded people who couldn't accept that women were capable of doing more than cooking, cleaning and having babies."

"Good for you."

"My mother claimed that I was very rude and unladylike."

"And what about the bitch that made the remark? Wasn't that rude?"

"Yes, but since I was raised to be a lady, I should've overlooked it."

"Well then tell her that since she's such a lady, to just overlook it when you aren't around after the wedding. It's what a proper lady would do after all."

"I wish I had thought of that," Johanna said; regret in her tone that she had missed that golden opportunity.

"Any other insults?"

"Yeah; his grandmother called me a spinster and then they both commented on how my career is probably running off my prospects because men don't want a career woman for a wife; not to mention the fact that they don't want a wife who thinks she's his equal in the professional sense of the word. I of course had to give them my opinion on that subject."

"Good, you should've told them to go to hell."

"I thought about it but I was afraid I'd give someone a stroke."

"What's wrong with these people?" Jim asked. "Why can't anyone mind their own business? You get enough of that stuff from your own family. Why don't they just offer a dowry and sell you to the highest bidder?"

"Don't tempt them," she said quietly.

"It's ridiculous," he ranted. "There's nothing wrong with you and everyone needs to stop acting like there is."

Johanna rubbed a hand against his chest. "It's okay; don't get worked up about it."

"I can't help it. It makes me angry."

She offered him a small smile. "I'm glad you like me the way I am."

"I wouldn't have you any other way," he replied. "I just wish I knew what to do to keep people from treating you that way."

"Maybe you could find a nice family to adopt me," she suggested.

"You can have mine," he offered with a grin.

Johanna laughed softly. "Your mother hates me."

"No she doesn't; it just takes her awhile to warm up."

"I could be old and gray by the time she warms up to me."

He allowed his fingers to slip away from her forehead and trail down her cheek. "Don't worry about any of them. Things happen when they're ready to happen...and it'll happen. I know it will."

She nodded and moved closer to him; sleepiness beginning to pull at her but she fought it. Jim shifted and reached for her; pulling her into his arms so she could rest her head on his chest; his hand falling gently against her head and threading through her hair as his opposite hand reached for the switch of the lamp and turned it off. "Any other excitement happen?" he asked quietly.

"Did I tell you about the wine?"

"No."

"It was the worst I ever tasted; but of course the Westons implied that I've probably only ever drank cheap wine."

"Do they like your sister?"

"They adore her...or so they claim," Johanna answered. "I guess time will tell."

"Tell me more," he requested.

She spoke of the evening's events while the sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear lulled her to sleep. Jim remained still as her chatter dropped off, his fingers still threading through her hair. He should probably leave, he reasoned but he was reluctant to disturb her rest in any way. She'd had the night from hell and she needed to sleep to get rid of her headache. That surge of protectiveness rippled through him again and he held her a little tighter. He'd just stay for awhile longer; at least until she moved herself off of his chest...not that he was in any hurry for her to do that. He relaxed against the pillow, letting himself enjoy the feel of her against him and the contentment that came from being there with her. Soon he was asleep; not waking until nearly three. Johanna had turned onto her side by then and he figured it was time for him to take his leave. He made sure her alarm was set to get her up for work and then he found a scrap of paper and a pen and wrote her a quick note, telling her that he'd be back to drive her to work. He quietly made his way through the apartment and made sure her door locked as he left.

To be continued