Reflections Chapter 47- Serenity, a castle fanfic

Authors Note: Thanks for your reviews! Sorry this one has taken so long; real life got in the way, my mojo jammed and then I got hit by a cold and a touch of the flu and then there were computer issues to take care of. Basically March kicked my ass.

Chapter 47 – Serenity

The law firm's annual Fourth of July picnic was held in a more suitable location that year, Johanna mused as she sat her plate aside on the blanket she and Jim had spread out on the grass. The park was a much better location than the rooftop and the backyard of one of the senior partners who had only wanted to show off his new mansion in the Hamptons. She hadn't gone but she had heard plenty about it and was glad she had missed it, even if her reason had been because of her grandfather's final illness. The park was nice though, the weather wasn't too hot and so far everyone was playing nice. The only thing missing would be the fireworks, since the law firm had opted to hold their picnic on Saturday the third in deference to the numerous bicentennial activities planned for the following day to mark the holiday. The holiday didn't concern her however, she had a more important occasion on her mind and she aught Jim's eye as she broached the subject.

"What do you want to do for your birthday?" Johanna asked.

"Stay home from work," Jim replied. "But since I have to be in court I can't do that."

"Maybe next year," she laughed.

He smiled. "If I had any sense, I would've been born on the 4th instead of the 6th; then I'd never have to work on my birthday."

"But you had to go and be stubborn and hold out for the 6th," she teased.

"That'll teach me," he laughed.

"I guess it will. But what do you want to do? Is there anywhere you'd like to go to dinner? Because I'll take you anywhere you want to go; we can do whatever you want."

Jim kissed her cheek. "Honestly, I'd rather you cook dinner instead of going out to eat."

"Really?"

"Yeah; you're my favorite chef."

She smiled. "What do you want me to make for you?"

"I'd say fried chicken but you probably won't have time for that since we work Tuesday."

Johanna thought for a moment. "Would you mind it being cold fried chicken?"

He shook his head. "I love it cold, I wouldn't mind at all."

"Well since the holiday fell on a Sunday, we get Monday off, so I could fry the chicken tomorrow night and just put it in the fridge. I can make the potatoes when I get home from work, they don't take long."

"Sounds good," he replied. "Just don't forget the gravy."

Johanna laughed. "You'll have gravy, honey. I promise."

"And biscuits?"

"Of course. Anything else?"

"Do you know how to make cole slaw?" he asked.

She nodded; "Yeah; I've made it with mom a few times…but I haven't made it for you…"

"You say that like there's a possibility I won't like it."

"There's always a possibility."

"Not a chance, sweetheart."

"I'll make it," she said with a laugh. "I'll make you a cake too."

He pressed a kiss to her lips. "You keep that up and I'm going to think you're even more perfect than I already do."

"I'm far from perfect."

"You're perfect to me."

Her smile turned shy. "I hope you'll like your gifts that I got you."

"You didn't have to get me anything, sweetheart."

"Don't be silly, of course I did," she replied.

"I'm sure I'll like whatever it is," he told her as he took her hand. "You always give nice gifts."

"I do my best. I like to give you things you enjoy."

Before he could reply, a small, loud voice called out from nearby. "My Anna! My Anna!"

Johanna's head snapped up at the sound of her nephew's voice and she saw him running towards her with his arms spread open. She smiled brightly and opened her arms to him seconds before he launched himself into them. "My Anna," Greg said happily as his little arms wrapped around her neck.

"My little man," she replied as she hugged him tightly. "Where are mommy and daddy?"

"We're here," Valerie called out as she and Frankie caught up to their son.

"I run'd," Greg said proudly as he looked at his aunt.

"I saw you running," she replied, amusement in her eyes as she glanced at her brother and sister-in-law. "You outran mommy and daddy."

"The bright side of that," Valerie said; "Is that we're now certain he has excellent eyesight. He saw you from the path and took off like a rocket."

"Maybe he's got radar," Jim quipped.

"Wouldn't surprise me," Frankie remarked as he dropped down onto the corner of the blanket. "I think we might have to start hooking a leash to him."

Valerie smacked his shoulder. "Don't invite yourself to sit down."

"Why not? Greg did," he remarked; nodding toward his son who had made himself comfortable on Johanna's lap.

"He's a baby; he doesn't know better, you do."

Jim laughed. "He can sit down if he wants; so can you."

"Yeah, Val; sit down," Johanna told her.

"At least I wait to be invited," she replied as she sat down on the blanket. "It's nice to see you again, Jim."

"You too," he replied.

"Is my sister giving you any trouble yet?" Frankie asked; unable to resist the urge to tease.

Jim grinned at Johanna before glancing at her brother. "So far she's behaving herself."

Frankie scoffed but Jim didn't detect any maliciousness in the gesture, just good natured brotherly teasing. "Don't get used to it," Frankie told him. "She doesn't stay behaved for long."

"Oh shut up," Johanna replied lightly.

"Don't worry," Jim told him. "I stay on alert."

Greg's gaze turned toward Jim and he smiled at the boy. "How are you doing, Greg?"

"I find my Anna," he replied.

"I see that, but I think she's my Anna."

Greg shook his head. "Her mine."

Jim snatched a cookie from one of their discarded plates. "What if I give you a cookie?"

The boy smiled and snatched the cookie from his hand. "Say thank you," Valerie told him.

"Tank you," Greg replied as he bit into the cookie.

"Now that I gave you a cookie," Jim said; "Does that mean that she's my Anna now?"

"My Anna," he stated; leaning back against her as if to stake his claim.

"Okay," Jim replied; "Can we share Anna?"

"No," Greg replied. "More cookies?"

"I don't have anymore."

"Is Jim teasing you?" Johanna asked as she cuddled her nephew.

"Dat M," Greg said, a finger pointing at Jim.

"That's right, that's Jim. Do you remember seeing him before?"

"M," he said again, pointing at Jim.

"I think that means that he remembers," Jim commented.

"Yeah," Frankie agreed; "He'd probably never forget his competition."

"There's enough of me to go around," Johanna replied as she pressed a kiss to Greg's head.

"What's going on over here?" Frankie asked with a nod at the crowd of people in the area. "Is there a party?"

"It's the law firm's fourth of July picnic," Johanna answered.

"Then we probably shouldn't be here," Valerie responded.

"You don't have to leave," Jim told her. "It's open to family, that's why the crowd is so big."

"We wouldn't want to intrude."

"You're not intruding," Johanna assured. "You can stay."

Frankie caught his sister's eye. "If it's open to family why didn't you invite us, mouthy?"

"I didn't think you'd come."

"Is the food free?"

"Yes."

"Drinks provided?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm in," Frankie replied. "We can pretend to be loving siblings for a few hours, can't we?"

She smirked; "That always has been Mom's holiday rule."

Her brother grinned. "We wouldn't want to disappoint Mom; we're happy to join you, Sissy."

Valerie glanced at Jim. "Don't let them fool you, they really do love each other, they just hate for it to show too much."

He chuckled; "I believe you."

"Why didn't you invite Mom?" Frankie asked.

"Because then I'd have to invite Dad," she answered. "God only knows what kind of career I'd have left if Mom made him come. I would've invited Colleen but then I would've had to invite Paul…and who wants that?"

Frankie nodded. "Good point; besides I'm sure the Weston's probably frown on picnics."

"Especially when there isn't any pheasant being served," Jim commented.

Frankie grimaced. "Don't remind me of that fiasco."

"Could be worse," Johanna quipped. "We could remind you of the caviar."

He gagged. "Never say that word again. Jim, did you invite any of your family?"

"Hell no."

Frankie laughed. "Why not?"

"Well for one I think I see enough of them on a regular basis. Two if I invited my father I'd have to invite my mother…and that wouldn't be fun for anyone. My oldest brother has four kids and they all seem to remember everything you've ever said within their ear shot and they have no qualms about repeating it…and I can't afford that. My second oldest brother is stationed in Germany and we're not fond of each other anyway. It's best if we occupy separate countries."

Frankie glanced at his sister. "That makes us sound tame, Sis. I never needed you to leave the country…I just needed for us to live in separate houses."

"I guess we're not as bad as we thought," she replied before giving her attention to Jim. "What about Andrew and Madelyn?"

"Andrew's in Puerto Rico on business and Madelyn…well it didn't seem like it would be something that she would be interested in. I would've brought Grandma but she's a loose cannon that can't be trusted."

"Jo could've brought our grandma," Frankie spoke up; "She's a loose cannon too, she'd get along good with your grandmother."

"We don't doubt that," Jim replied. "We're just not sure if we want them getting along so well in front of so many colleagues."

The other man nodded. "That's a good point; you don't want end up unemployed."

"Eat!" Greg exclaimed as he saw someone walking past with a plate of food.

"Are you hungry?" Johanna asked him.

"Eat, Anna."

"Do you want a hamburger or a hot dog?" she asked.

"Dog," Greg replied.

"He loves his hot dogs," Valerie commented.

"I'll get you a hot dog," Johanna told her nephew.

"Tetup," Greg said as he looked at her.

"I won't forget the ketchup," she assured him. "Do you want some kool-aid? They have cherry kool-aid for the kids."

"Yeah."

"Okay," she said as she kissed his head. "I'll go get you some food."

"I'll take a burger with everything on it," Frankie remarked.

"I'll go with you, Jo," Valerie said as she dumped out a small tote bag that had a few of Greg's toys in it. "Greg, you stay here with Daddy and Jim; me and Anna will be right back."

Greg grabbed one of his toy trucks and turned to Jim. "Tuck," he stated; not paying any attention to the women as they left.

"That's a nice truck," Jim told him, noting that McKenzie was printed on the door of it. "It has your name on it."

"Grandpa had that made for him," Frankie said. "A toy manufacturer needed a new factory…Dad couldn't resist offering to shave a few bucks off the price if the guy could make Greg some trucks with the McKenzie name on it. As you can see, it wasn't a problem…we're building him a warehouse in August, God only knows what Dad's getting in trade for that one."

Jim laughed. "Nothing wrong with a few perks along the way."

"That's true," Frankie agreed. "Rumor has it he already has a name plate tucked away with Greg's name on it. Grandpa's got plans for you, little man."

"Gampa?" Greg said; his eyes scanning the crowd in search of his grandfather.

"Grandpa's not here, buddy. You'll see him tomorrow."

"What all does your company handle?" Jim asked. "Jo never says much about it other than it's construction and real estate."

"I'm not surprised, she's never been overly interested in it," Frankie remarked. "We do about everything you can do in the construction and real estate business. We have building contracts of course but we also buy up pieces of land and build offices or apartment buildings on them. Sometimes we sell them and some we keep and manage ourselves. Those apartment buildings that were just redone that's right near your firm, those are ours."

"They look nice," Jim replied. "I've heard a few people at work are interested in getting in there."

"There's a long list," Frankie stated. "We buy up properties and fix them up and sell them, or if it's something that's beyond fixing up, we sell it and make a deal with the buyer to do the demolition or whatever they want to do with it. We get into anything we can with construction and real estate."

"It's a lucrative business," Jim agreed. "My brother works for one of those developers that scouts out resort towns; they redo everything and build the places up, that sort of thing."

"You said you had a brother Andrew?" Frankie asked after thinking for a moment.

"Yeah; Andrew Beckett."

He nodded; "I know him; we worked with his company last summer on a resort up in the Catskills."

"That turned out really nice," Jim remarked. "I rode up there with him to see it when it was finished; his company was very pleased with the work."

"They're good people to work with; your brother is a fair minded businessman."

Jim laughed; "Yeah, well don't ever play cards with him…you'll find he isn't very fair then."

Frankie chuckled; "I might have to bring that up the next time he walks into my office."

"Please do; be sure to tell him I'm the one who told you."

"You like to live dangerously?" Frankie asked as he kept a watchful eye on Greg.

"No; I just live to torment him whenever possible. It's hard to fear your younger brother, especially when you had to share a room with him…I have enough blackmail stored up on him to last me a lifetime."

"I see why you and Johanna get along," he replied. "Every time I think she's out of ammunition, she pulls out something else…I think someone should study her brain. It just isn't natural that she can remember so much…unless of course she has a journal tucked away somewhere with every misdeed I ever committed recorded for posterity and in minute detail for the moment when she needs it."

Jim laughed; "I think she just has a very good memory."

"Too good…I'll get her for it one day."

"I'm sure you've done plenty to her."

"She exaggerates," Frankie stated. "Don't let her taint your mind."

Jim was about to comment but Greg interrupted. "Uh oh," the little boy said; holding up the wheel from his truck.

"What happened?" Jim asked him.

"Broke," he replied.

"Let me see, maybe I can pop it back on," Jim said as he carefully took the wheel from Greg's hand.

"That truck as taken a beating," Frankie commented as Jim snapped the wheel back on. "My boy likes to throw things when he gets mad…he gets that from his aunt."

Jim laughed as he gave Greg the truck. "I haven't seen Johanna throw anything yet."

"She will," Frankie stated. "I've got a small scar on my forehead from the time she threw one of my model cars at me."

"What did you do to make her do that?" he asked with a laugh.

Frankie shrugged; "I might've given her doll a haircut…personally I thought it was an improvement but apparently she disagreed."

Jim nodded; "Sisters do get a little touchy when it comes to their dolls hair."

"Sounds like you might've given a haircut in your time."

He grinned; "Actually Andrew did the cutting…I just supervised."

"See, that's why I needed a brother," Frankie remarked. "I would've gotten into less trouble if I have been supervising instead of having to do all the work myself, but no, Mom had to go and have another girl…and you don't know hell until you've lived with Colleen."

He laughed; "I've heard stories."

"Yeah…and when you're hearing those horror stories; remember that Johanna is the one who actually liked her."

Before Jim could comment, they realized that Greg was watching something intently and they followed his gaze. He was staring at a little blonde haired girl who was playing not far away. "Are you checking out babes?" Frankie asked his son.

"Yeah," Greg answered as if he clearly understood the statement.

"At least he's honest," Jim laughed.

Frankie nodded. "That's my boy."

"I think her name is Chelsea," Jim told Greg. "She's my boss's granddaughter."

"Good job, Greg; you picked one with a rich grandfather," Frankie said with a laugh.

"She might be a little old for you," Jim went on; "She's three and a half."

"Pitty," Greg said.

"She is pretty," Jim agreed. "I have a little niece who is closer to your age; do you want me to fix you up?"

"Yeah," he replied.

"You'll notice that his favorite word is 'yeah'," the other man said with a chuckle. "But if it works out, maybe you can double date."

"Yeah, if we want to be home by eight," Jim said as he took his wallet from his pocket. "Here, Greg, what do you think of Alicia?" he asked as he showed him a picture.

"Baby," Greg said with a smile as he plopped down on Jim's lap.

"Do you want a play date with her?"

"Yeah," he said as expected, his small fingers turning to the next picture. "Dis Baby!" he exclaimed with a bright smile.

"That's Angie; she's too old for you. She's six."

"Pitty."

"She's blonde," Frankie said as he shifted to see the picture. "Do you have a thing for blondes?" he asked Greg.

"Baby," Greg said again as he touched the picture.

"I think you're in trouble," Jim said as he glanced at Johanna's brother.

"I'm sensing that," he replied. "Greg, get yourself a brunette; blondes can be trouble."

"What are you three talking about?" Valerie asked as she and Johanna returned with plates of food and a drink for Greg.

"Babes!" Greg exclaimed.

"Babes?" Johanna repeated, her brow raised as she regarded both boyfriend and brother.

Frankie and Jim scrambled to correct the statement as the women shared amused looks.

"Can't leave them alone for five minutes," Valerie quipped.

"Next time one of us will have to stay here and babysit," Johanna agreed as she sat down. "Here, sweetie, I've got your hot dog."

"Did you cut it into enough pieces?" Jim asked lightly as he glanced at the plate. She had sliced Greg's hot dog into tiny pieces and put ketchup on it as he had wanted.

"It has to be cut up small, he's still a baby," she remarked as Greg returned to her lap.

"Where's our drinks, Val?" Frankie asked as he took his plate.

"We couldn't carry it all," Johanna answered for her. "They're being delivered."

"They've arrived," Jeff announced as he neared the group.

Johanna introduced Jeff to her brother as he handed over the drinks. Jim caught his friend's eye. "How is it going with Maggie's father?"

Jeff frowned. "He still doesn't like me."

"What makes you think he doesn't like you?" Johanna asked.

"His steely gaze and his gruff manner when he's forced to associate with me. I can tell that he doesn't like me, I think Maggie knows it too; that's why she enters a constant state of chatter."

"Maybe he just wants to intimidate you," Jim suggested. "You know how fathers are."

"I think it's more than that. He's always talking about how he was in the service; fought in World War Two and Korea…he still has his guns. I think he's making me out to be some sort of draft dodger."

"You're not a draft dodger," Jim remarked. "We were in college; and besides, not every man has to be in the military."

"I believe in his mind you do," Jeff stated. "In his eyes, guys like us are just spoiled, unpatriotic bums."

"Well tell him that if he likes war so much to go find one and join it."

He scoffed. "I'd like to."

Johanna gave him a sympathetic smile. "Don't let him get to you; just be yourself."

"Yeah," Frankie agreed. "Fathers make up their mind the first time they see you; if they don't like you then, they never will. Trust me, I know. Don't stress over it."

"My father likes you," Valerie declared.

"No he doesn't," Frankie replied. "That's why he's always telling me how well you ex-boyfriend is doing at his cushy job for a major car company."

Valerie rolled her eyes. "I don't care what Edward's doing; you're the man I'm supposed to be with."

"Although why we don't know," Johanna added lightly.

Jeff smiled. "Suddenly I don't feel so alone. Jim, when are you going to meet Sassy's father and get on this boat with the rest of us?"

"You'll have to ask her that."

"Not today," Johanna said as she wiped ketchup from her nephew's face. "As long as Maggie loves you that's all that matters. Don't worry about what her father thinks. Everything will be fine, just relax."

"I hope you're right," Jeff replied. "I guess I better get back over there. I'll see you later."

Frankie glanced at Jim. "You don't have to worry, our father doesn't care about lack of military service."

"What does he care about?"

"Not much," Johanna interrupted.

"Let's not talk about fathers," Valerie said. "It's too nice of a day for talk like that."

"I agree," Johanna said. "Let's talk about something else."

The men got the message and changed the topic to the fourth of July festivities that had been going on all week long for the bicentennial. Johanna breathed easier. She was fine with having her brother and his family there with them…but she didn't want to pop the bubble of happiness she had been living in…and her father was always a bubble popper.

Awhile later, Valerie and Johanna sat together on the blanket as Greg played with his toys. Jim and Frankie drifted off to get fresh sodas, the topic of last night's ballgame on their lips. Jeff had joined them near the coolers and the three of them were absorbed in conversation.

"They seem to be getting along well," Johanna commented.

Valerie smiled. "Well they've met before so that probably makes it easier."

"I know…it's just this is the first time they've spent more than a few minutes together."

Her sister-in-law nodded. "It's going well; you don't need to worry. I think they seem like they could be friends. God knows Frankie doesn't talk this much to Paul."

She laughed. "That's true. Paul isn't interested in the things that Frankie likes…but Jim is."

"Then you don't have anything to worry about, do you?" Valerie asked.

"No; I guess not…honestly I didn't know I worried about it until today."

"That's because we caught you off guard…and really it's better that way. You don't have time to think of all the ways it could go wrong…and nothing has gone wrong, has it?"

"No," Johanna replied. "Everything has been good; I'm just glad they're getting along…that you both seem to like him."

"He's a nice guy," Valerie remarked; "And he loves you; that's what matters most to us. I know you're not ready for him to meet Frank and I don't blame you; but if somewhere down the line, the two of you decide to move to the next level, you don't need to worry about how the family is going to feel; everyone who's met him likes him and it would be a smooth transition."

She gave a soft laugh. "At least on my side…his mother hates me."

"What!? How can she hate you, you're wonderful."

"She has hated me from first sight," Johanna replied. "I'll have to come over one day and tell you the whole story."

"You do that," Valerie replied; "And take your own advice; as long as Jim loves you that's all that matters. Don't worry about what his mother thinks…just be yourself."

Johanna grinned. "That's when she hates me the most."

Valerie laughed. "Don't worry about it, she'll get used to you eventually. At least you don't have to spend holidays with her yet."

"Thank God for small favors," she replied. "We had just finished making plans for Jim's birthday when Greg spotted me."

"When is his birthday?"

"Tuesday."

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere," Johanna answered. "He just wants to stay home and for me to cook dinner."

"Birthday at home," Valerie said; "He wants more than dinner…you're dessert."

She laughed. "I have that feeling too."

"That's what they all want on their birthdays," her sister-in-law teased.

"Please," she laughed; "It's what they want no matter the occasion."

Valerie nodded; "I can't argue with that…and we better change the subject; they're heading back this way."

"We'll talk about it later," Johanna said with a wink. "We're going to have to have a girls day one day soon."

"I'm all for that, sis," Valerie remarked. "You let me know when and I'll get a babysitter."

As evening set in, Jim and Johanna followed Frankie, Valerie and Greg to the park's entrance. As they neared the open gate, Jim got called away by a friend and Johanna continued on with her family after he said a quick goodbye to them. They paused on the sidewalk beside Frankie's car and she kissed Greg's soft cheek, smiling at the sleepy look on his face as she said goodbye to Valerie. Valerie got in the car and settled Greg on her lap, leaving Frankie to have a moment alone with his sister.

"I'm glad you and Valerie stayed," Johanna commented, breaking the awkward silence that fell between them.

Frankie nodded. "It was nice; maybe next year you'll invite us and save Greg the run."

"Of course I will; now that I know you'll come."

They both shifted on their feet, waiting for the elephant in the room to be addressed. Frankie glanced at his wife as she waited in the car and he smirked at the amusement on her face. "So," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"So?" Johanna repeated; waiting on the analysis of Jim now that they'd spent more than a few minutes together.

Frankie met her eye. "He's a good guy."

She nodded. "The best."

"He seems to take good care of you…and he loves you."

A small hesitant smile touched her lips. "So you like him?"

Frankie gave a nod. "Yeah, I like him. He didn't bore me, he's capable of caring on a decent conversation and we have common sports interests. In a nutshell he's a thousand times better than Paul. You did well."

Her happiness at that statement had her acting on impulse and she hugged her brother. "Let's not get mushy," he said as he gave her a quick pat on the back.

"Sorry, I lost my head," she replied. "I was caught up in the moment."

"It's alright; I won't tell anyone if you won't."

"My lips are sealed."

Valerie's laugh sounded through the car window that she had rolled down. "I love when you two try to hide that you like each other more than you pretend to."

Frankie's gaze darted toward his wife. "You're delirious from the heat; I better get you home."

"I am not," she retorted before giving her attention to Johanna. "We had a nice time at your picnic. You and Jim will have to come over for dinner one night so I can return the favor."

Johanna gave her a smile. "Let me know when and we'll be there."

"I will. I'm not letting you off the hook about this," Valerie teased.

"Like I'd ever think you would."

"Do you want me to walk you back to where Jim is?" Frankie asked. "Or can you find him on your own?"

"You go on, Greg's sleepy," she told him. "He's just right inside the gate, I'll be fine."

Frankie nodded and said goodnight as he rounded the car to get in on the driver's side. Johanna waved at them as they pulled into traffic and then she made her way back into the park. She spotted Jim almost instantly and he finished his conversation as she approached. He held his hand out to her and she took it, giving it a soft squeeze as she fell into step with him.

"You seem happy," Jim commented.

"I am," she replied. She hadn't realized how much having her brother's approval would mean to her until she had gotten it. It made her feel good inside that Frankie liked Jim. It was one less thing she had to worry about.

"I guess you enjoyed that surprise visit from your little man," he said lightly.

"I did…I think we all had a nice time…didn't we?"

"Yeah; I had a nice time. I didn't mind that they joined us."

"Do you like them?" she couldn't help but ask.

Jim slipped and arm around her waist and pulled her close as they walked, "Yes, I like them. What's not to like about Greg? He's a cute kid. Valerie's everything you always say she is. She adores you, I'm glad you have her."

"What about my brother?"

"He's a nice guy," he answered. "I enjoyed talking to him and you didn't seem to mind when he teased you now and then so I figured he wasn't crossing any lines. I think we got along pretty good, don't you?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "They like you too…Frankie likes you way better than Paul."

Jim laughed. "That's good to know. I'm glad I passed the brother test."

"His opinion wouldn't have changed anything," Johanna remarked.

"I know that, sweetheart."

"He doesn't usually give me many opinions about this part of my life," she added. "I'm not sure I ever even wanted one until he gave me one."

Jim pressed a kiss to her head and sensed that she felt self conscious about the confession she had made. "We all want the approval of the people we love; there's nothing wrong with that…and you do love him; despite whatever childhood nastiness there was between you."

"I never said I didn't love him."

"I know," he replied; "But like Valerie says, you two like to pretend."

She smiled. "We have our pride…McKenzie pride."

He laughed. "Believe me, I understand. I'm glad that his opinion made you feel good though."

"It did…I want everyone to be comfortable with each other, you know what I mean?"

"Yes," he assured, giving her hip a squeeze. "And just to make sure you know, my brothers like you too."

"Not William," she laughed.

"He doesn't count; he doesn't like me either. In fact I don't even really count him as a brother. Jeff's my brother…and Jeff adores you."

She wrapped herself around him in an embrace, forcing him to pause, not that he minded, he mused as he held her tightly. "It's funny how we add people to our families, isn't it?"

"Yeah," he chuckled; "I guess the ones we get to pick make the ones we don't a little more bearable."

"I believe that," she agreed; lifting her head from his shoulder to press a kiss against his lips.

He caught her gaze and held it. "When am I going to meet your father?"

Johanna smiled but it was her fake smile, Jim thought to himself. He'd seen that smile on her face at enough law firm luncheons and seminars to know it when it was blinding him. "I'm sure the day will come," she remarked. "Are we going to see the fireworks tomorrow night or will you still be at your parents?"

Avoidance, Jim thought…she always avoided that one. "I'll be around to pick you up for the fireworks…should I pick you up at your mom's?"

She shook her head. "No; I'll be home by then."

"Jo?"

"Yeah?"

"How long are you going to hide me from him?"

Johanna laughed. "Don't be silly; I'm not hiding you from anyone."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes," she replied; a firm flat note in her voice. "I can't help it that we haven't run into my father anywhere. He doesn't frequent the places we do. He has his clubs and his own places to go."

"Why do we have to run into him?"

"I don't know," she replied; "Maybe because he doesn't have a key to my apartment and can't walk in on us."

A wry smile touched his lips. "I took the key back, remember?"

"Yes; and I still appreciate it," she replied. "Now can we get back to the important things; like fourth of July fireworks and your birthday?"

"We have plans for both of those things," he replied. "We were talking about your dad."

Johanna slipped away from his embrace. "And I told you that it will happen when it happens. I don't know why it's such a big deal to you. It's not like I made an appointment to meet your parents, it just happened on its own. You've met my mother, my grandmother and my siblings…what's the problem?"

"I guess I want to complete the set so you won't have to worry about it anymore," Jim remarked.

"I don't worry about it," Johanna stated. "The moment will come and when it does, it does. I don't know what you're expecting but I can assure you that he really isn't all that impressive. He's a standard run of the mill father, judgmental and convinced that he's always right about everything…and carrying a secret desire that all of his children had been sons that he could've molded into his image and caused him less grief. You've seen him from a distance, you know what he looks like…you know what he sounds like, you were in my bedroom that night he paid me a surprise visit after we went to that club he was at."

"Yes; but you asked me to stay out of sight," he reminded her.

"Yes I did…because I'm a standard issue daughter who doesn't want her father to think about what she does in her bedroom with a man she isn't married to. You were understanding of that at the time."

"I still am."

"Then let's talk about something else."

"Jo…what are you afraid of?"

"Nothing!" she exclaimed. "It just isn't something I sit up at night planning. I don't feel a need to orchestrate a meeting; it'll happen on its own. Why does it matter so much? He knows I'm with you, he hasn't expressed any interest in getting involved and wanting to know the person I spend my time with so why should I push the issue? He doesn't care, okay? There are other people in the world that are more worthy of your attention."

"He's only worthy because of his attachment to you."

"There is no attachment, Jim. He lives his life, I live mine, we converge at the same dinner table once or twice a week depending on my mother's demand or her level of guilt when she calls."

"I just don't want you to feel like it's something you have to worry about or that you need to shield me for some reason."

Johanna blew out a breath. "Fine, come to dinner tomorrow and meet him, okay? Then it will be over and done with and you'll stop worrying about it."

Jim shook his head. "No; I'm not going to do that."

"Why not?"

"Because one, the invitation should come from your mother and two, you don't want me to be there because you don't want me to meet him yet, so I'm not going to go there and go through that just so you can get me off your back about it."

"Don't say I didn't offer."

"It wasn't for the right reasons."

She sighed; why hadn't she caught a ride home with Frankie? Everything had been going along so smoothly and he just had to rattle the applecart and threaten to tip it over. "I think I'm ready to go home; I'm tired and things seem to be falling apart here…I'd much rather spend my time planning to give you a nice birthday than going around in circles about my father."

Jim felt like it was probably a good idea to drop the issue for now; she was getting agitated and he didn't want that. Really it probably didn't matter that he hadn't met her father yet; they'd only been together for a month, there would be time for all of that later on. Frank McKenzie was a touchy issue; one he needed to be careful with. She was, in some ways, a different person when Frank was forced upon her as a topic of conversation. She got defensive and instantly went into fight mode; a method he was sure was born out of necessity because of the treatment the man bestowed upon her over the course of her life. He shouldn't push, not right now; maybe one day down the road but not now…not when they had some measure of peace and had been enjoying themselves.

"How would you feel about taking Mikey and Angie with us to see the fireworks," he asked as he slipped his hand back into hers.

"It's fine with me," she answered. "What about Danny?"

"He doesn't like the noise and Alicia will be getting put to bed when the show starts so I thought maybe the older two could just go with us so they don't have to miss them. Michael hates crowds so I know he'll try to get out of going if he can."

Johanna nodded; "We'll take them."

He didn't think for a minute that she minded having the kids along, but she was subdued now and she had been so happy. Regret filled him. "I'm sorry," he stated quietly.

"About what?"

"I pushed an issue that didn't need pushed and ruined your feeling of happiness," Jim told her. "I shouldn't have done that; I'm sorry. You're right; it isn't a big deal right now. I didn't mean to upset you."

She shook her head; "I'm not upset…just tired. It's been a long day but it's been good…and I'm going to do my best to give you a nice birthday."

"I'm sure you will, sweetheart," he replied; brushing a kiss against her lips. "We'll head home…and I am sorry."

Johanna gave him a small smile. "It's okay…I didn't mean to get defensive. You know I tend to get cranky when I'm tired."

"We all do," he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist and resumed their walk. "Let's just forget all about it; we have better things to think about."

She nodded; "I agree…the conversation is forgotten."

"Good…I don't want to sleep alone tonight."

She laughed; a genuine smile remaining on her lips, sending relief coursing through him. "You don't have to worry," she told him. "I don't plan on letting you sleep alone tonight…or on your birthday either."

"That's the best news I heard all day," he quipped; content to allow the lightness to return. He had a court case to worry about and better things to look forward to. Meeting her father could wait until a better time when she was more comfortable. He'd put that idea away in a box in the back of his mind where it belonged. She was right; there were better things to think about, like the holiday and his birthday, which he was looking forward to spending with her. The peace and easiness of their new relationship was too nice to spoil over something that was inevitable anyway.

The next day, Jim sat in a lawn chair near the grill in his parents backyard. His father was lighting the grill, covered trays of food waiting nearby to be cooked as Robert took control of things. His nieces and nephews were playing ball a safe distance from the grill and under his watchful eye as Natalie was in the house being tormented by Elizabeth. Jim smirked to himself, Michael would probably have a long night for stealing that last minute run to the store away from Natalie and leaving her behind. His brother would suffer, he was sure of it.

"I wonder where your sister is," Robert commented.

"It's hard to tell knowing her," Jim replied. "I offered to pick her up but she said no…maybe she has other plans."

Robert glanced at him. "You think she has a boyfriend?"

"It's possible…she's been scarce lately."

His father nodded. "I think so too…and she sees how your mother's carrying on about you and she's keeping her mouth shut."

Jim scoffed; "I tried that, it didn't work. I hope she changes her locks or she might get surprised."

Robert chuckled. "You're lucky your surprise wasn't worse than it was."

"Believe me, I know."

As if she knew she was being talked about, Elizabeth stepped out the back door carrying stacks of paper plates, cups and napkins. She set the picnic table and then crossed the yard to Robert and Jim and sat down in one of the empty lawn chairs.

"What did you do with Natalie?" Robert asked.

"She's looking for Tylenol. I swear every time she's here she claims to have a headache."

"She's got four kids," Jim replied to cover the fact that he was sure his mother was the cause of Natalie's headaches.

"Well she may as well get used to it," Elizabeth remarked. "Children induced headaches never go away even when they're grown."

Jim grinned at her. "You can't blame me for yours; there were two kids ahead of me."

"I've got plenty of blame for you to take, Jimmy."

He shook his head. "I'm perfectly innocent. I'm the best child you had."

Elizabeth scoffed. "Who told you that?"

"I'm pretty sure it was you," he teased.

"I did no such thing," she replied. "I wouldn't put that idea in any of your heads."

"And yet they all adore you anyway," Robert quipped.

"I'm not so sure about that either," Elizabeth remarked before changing the subject. "Jimmy, what do you want me to make you for dinner Tuesday?"

Jim shifted in his seat; he really hadn't thought that this would come up. "I already have plans for Tuesday, Mom."

"You don't need to spend every birthday in a bar room," his mother retorted.

"I'm not spending my birthday in a bar room."

"Then why can't you be here?"

"Because I already made plans with Johanna."

Elizabeth's features turned hard, her gaze cooling. "And just what magnificent plans has the princess made that can't wait until another time?"

Jim did his best not to get defensive. "Johanna asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday and I told her that I wanted her to cook dinner for me."

"I'll cook dinner for you!" his mother exclaimed.

He told himself to remain patient. "I didn't know you had any plans; you don't really fuss with birthdays now that we're all grown up."

"Well you just tell her never mind, that you're celebrating with your family."

"I can't do that, we've already made plans. I told her what I want and she's already got everything all worked out."

"So she's planned a menu, big deal! I'm your mother; my plans should matter more than hers!"

"You should've told me sooner," Jim replied. "I'm sure it had to cross your mind that I might have other plans."

"Change them!"

"Mom, I can't. I told Jo I wanted her to cook for me, that I just wanted a quiet evening with her. She's already made plans to make that happen. I'm not trying to hurt your feelings."

"Jo," Elizabeth scoffed. "What kind of name is that for a girl?"

"A nickname."

"It's stupid! That's a boy's name. If you must speak of her, use her given name…although it isn't much to brag about either."

Jim smirked. "Maybe you'd like it if I call her by her middle name."

"And what's that?"

"Elizabeth," Jim answered.

"That's not funny!" Elizabeth cried.

"I'm not joking," he replied. "That is her middle name."

"Liar!"

"He's not lying," Robert spoke up. "Johanna told me herself that her middle name is Elizabeth."

Elizabeth grimaced. "That's just wonderful."

"Isn't it though?" Jim asked. "It's kind of like it's fate or something."

"No it isn't."

"It kind of is if you think about it," Robert replied. "Jimmy's middle name is Robert and Johanna's is Elizabeth…Robert and Elizabeth…ring a bell?"

Elizabeth pursed her lips in indignation. "I don't give a damn what her name is; you tell her you're eating here!"

Jim thought quickly; maybe he could salvage things and make his mother happy without upsetting his plans with Johanna. "How about I come over for breakfast on Tuesday morning? You can make me some waffles and whatever else you want."

"No," Elizabeth said in outrage. "I said dinner."

"What's wrong with breakfast?" he asked. "I love breakfast…and then you'd see me before Johanna."

"No."

He sighed. "I'm sorry, Mom. I can't change the plans I already made with Johanna. She's probably fussing over the details, things like that are important to her."

Elizabeth got up from the chair. "I'm getting tired of you choosing her over the family. She's passing fancy; we're here to stay."

"What about lunch?"

"No I said! Dinner or nothing! I'm the mother, I should get some consideration!"

"I suggested alternatives but you don't want them."

"That's right! Give them to your little tart."

"What did I tell you about calling her names?"

"What makes you think I care?" she asked. "Dinner or nothing, James."

He nodded. " Then I guess it'll be nothing. I'm keeping the plans I made with Johanna."

Elizabeth glared at him and then stormed away to the house, slamming the back door behind her.

Robert whistled; "Well, son; it looks like we're going to have your mother's fireworks for the holiday."

Jim glanced at him; "Wouldn't be a holiday without them."

"I thought you had to be in court this morning," Johanna remarked as Jim entered the break room on Tuesday.

"I do but not until 10:30," he said before stealing a kiss. "I'm sorry I couldn't drive you to work this morning."

"It's alright," she replied as she slipped her arms around him in an embrace. "What was wrong with the car?"

"I think it's the battery; the weather can drain them," he explained. "Michael jumped it and I got it started."

Johanna smiled. "That's not a nice way for Renee to tell you Happy Birthday."

Jim laughed. "I know; I told her that too. Hopefully you'll do better."

She smiled and kissed him. "Happy Birthday, honey," she murmured.

He stole another kiss. "Thank you, that was much nicer than Renee."

"I should hope so. I've got the chicken ready for tonight. I have the cake ready too."

"I can't wait," he smiled.

"Me neither. I'm going to do my best to get out of here a little early today so I can make sure I have everything ready when you get there."

"You don't have to go through any special trouble, sweetheart. I don't mind waiting."

"I don't want you to have to wait on your birthday," she replied. "I want everything to be nice."

"Everything's always nice with you," he assured as she slipped away from him to finish making her coffee.

"I still feel like we should be doing something more," she commented. "Dinner at home doesn't seem like much for your birthday."

"It's what I want," he reminded her. "Just a quiet evening with you…I'll probably need it after a long day in court. Besides; I've done all the other hoopla before. I just want to be with you."

A smile lifted the corners of her lips. "Then I'm what you'll get."

Jim took her hand and kissed it. "That's one gift I'll never want to return."

"I've got your gifts ready too," she quipped.

He grinned; unable to resist the urge to tease. "I hope one of them is you…wearing something more…" he trailed off at her raised eyebrow and the smirk on her lips.

"More what?" Johanna asked.

"More comfortable," he said smoothly. "You look beautiful in your lavender dress…but you might have something at home in a drawer that's more comfortable…"

"Something in a special occasion pile?" she teased.

He shrugged. "Well birthdays could be construed as special occasions…"

"Indeed they are…I might have something…or I might not. I guess the only way for you to find out is to show up tonight."

"Oh I'll be there, sweetheart," Jim remarked. "Don't you worry about that."

Johanna kissed his lips. "I have to get back to my office. Good luck in court."

"I'll see you this evening."

"I better," she teased.

He laughed. "You couldn't keep me away."

"I should hope not; I do try to keep you around," she quipped.

"You don't have to try," he stated. "You're stuck with me."

"Good," Johanna laughed as she neared the door. "That's just the way I like it."

"Me too," Jim said with a smile as he watched her go. It would be a good birthday just spending the evening with her…he just had to get through court to do it.

Sharon blew out a breath of annoyance as the phone on her desk rang. It never failed; every time she had a good typing rhythm going and was making serious headway with her work, that damn phone had to ring. She turned in her chair and picked it up, forcing a kind tone to her voice as she answered and asked how she could be of help.

"I'd like to speak to Johanna McKenzie," a clipped feminine voice stated; the request sounding more like a demand.

Sharon sighed internally; probably an irate client who felt her case was taking too long to be handled or Johanna had poked into some territory on behalf of a case and made someone unhappy. It wouldn't be the first phone call of that nature she had gotten. "May I ask whose calling?" she inquired.

"Elizabeth Beckett," the caller announced.

'Oh hell,' Sharon thought to herself; that couldn't be good. Johanna had told her of her encounters with Jim's mother and none of them had been pleasant…especially the last one. "I'll see if she's in, please hold," she told her before pressing a button on the phone and hanging up the receiver. She got up from her desk and hurried through the open doorway of Johanna's office. Her boss was at her desk, her teeth biting into her lower lip in concentration as she read over the documents strewn across her desk.

"You have a call on line one," Sharon announced.

"Who is it?" Johanna asked as she looked up from her work.

"Elizabeth Beckett."

Johanna dropped her pen and cursed under her breath. "What the hell does she want?"

"I didn't ask."

She groaned. "This can't be good."

"That's what I thought. Do you want me to tell her that you're not here?"

"No," she replied with a shake of her head. "I'll just get it over with."

"Good luck," Sharon told her as she retreated back to her desk.

Johanna sighed and picked up the phone, hitting the button for line one. "What do you need, Mrs. Beckett?" she asked, doing her best to keep her tone neutral.

"Call it off," Elizabeth said sternly.

She rolled her eyes. "We've been through this before; I'm not ending my relationship with your son."

"I'm not talking about that," she snapped.

"Then what are you talking about?"

"Today is Jimmy's birthday," Elizabeth remarked.

"I'm aware of that."

"He should be spending it with his family, not you!"

"I'm not forcing him to spend his birthday with me," she replied. "I asked him what he wanted to do and he said he wanted me to cook dinner for him so that's what I'm doing."

"Well you just undo it, missy," the older woman demanded. "He shouldn't be with you, he should be with us! I'm his mother; I gave birth to him!"

"I know and I thank you for it."

"Don't you dare," Elizabeth raged. "I didn't bring him in this world to end up with the likes of you! You're not his wife; you have no right to keep him from me on his birthday."

"I'm not keeping him from you!" Johanna exclaimed. "He makes his own choices and I have just as much right to help him celebrate. You're not the only one who loves him. I love him too."

"Don't you ever act like you love him more than I do!" Elizabeth seethed.

Johanna sighed. "Does everything have to be a competition with you? I love him and I don't care if you doubt that or the depth of the affection."

"Competition," she spat. "You don't really love him!"

"Yes I do."

"If you really loved him you wouldn't be coming between him and his family. Just look at the things you've done; you've had me barred from his home; you've been turning him against me and now you're keeping him from me as well!"

"Oh my God," Johanna said; "I think you might need to be medicated. I haven't been coming between him and anyone. He just went to a baseball game with his father, brothers and nephews a couple of weeks ago. I know he sees his father for lunch at least once a week and he's always talking to his brothers. He goes out with his friends too; our relationship hasn't changed his life that much. He didn't bar you from his home either; he just took back your key. I'm sure you know that you're more than welcome to knock on his door and I haven't been turning him against you. I'm not keeping him from you either!"

"Then what do you call it?" Elizabeth asked tartly.

"I call it you being crazy because you can't hand select the person he spends his life with," she replied. "Jim has enough room in his heart for both of us, Mrs. Beckett; you're his mother, he's always going to love you, nothing can change that and nothing should. I'm not standing between you and I'd never ask him to stay away from you anymore than he'd ask me to stay away from my mother. I don't know why you're so threatened by me."

Jim's mother scoffed; "I'm not threatened by you!"

"Then what do you call it?" Johanna asked, throwing her words back at her.

"I call it being a concerned mother! When is your birthday?"

Puzzlement furrowed her brow. "February 4th, why?"

"I bet you're with your family on your birthday, aren't you?"

"In all honesty, Mrs. Beckett, I've spent my past two birthdays with Jim."

"No you haven't!"

"Yes I have, you can ask him if you don't believe me."

"I don't ask for much," Elizabeth said, disregarding the comment. "All I wanted was to make dinner for my son on his birthday."

"Maybe you've should've told him," Johanna suggested gently; trying to keep the war from escalating.

"He should know!" the older woman yelled in her ear.

"You could make dinner for him tomorrow," she replied. "You should make him pork chops, he speaks highly of those."

"Are you making fun of me?"

She sighed; "No; I was just saying that Jim praises your pork chops. He says you put some kind of seasoning on them and the potatoes and that they're very good."

"I don't need cooking suggestions from you! I know what to feed my son!"

"So should I tell him that you want him to come over tomorrow night?"

"And I sure as hell don't need you to be my messenger," Elizabeth retorted. "His birthday is today, not tomorrow. If Jimmy can't give me any consideration for the ten hours of labor I went through to bring him into this world then he doesn't need to bother showing his face after the fact."

"Don't you think you're being a little ridiculous?" You know he loves and appreciates you."

"He has a funny way of showing it!"

"I think you just like to be mad, Mrs. Beckett."

"I have reason to be mad and I didn't realize that you were a shrink as well as an attorney."

Johanna rolled her eyes. "You're the one who called me, not the other way around."

"Not because I wanted to. I would've come down there in person but I didn't want my time wasted if you weren't there and I didn't want to look at your prissy face."

"Thank God for small favors," Johanna remarked. "As much as I enjoy our special little chats, I need to get back to work. I'll give Jim your love."

"How dare you!" Elizabeth remarked; a tirade following as Johanna hung up the phone.

She leaned back in her chair and breathed deeply, releasing the breath slowly.

"How did it go?" Sharon asked as she slipped back into the room.

Johanna gave her a wry smile. "About as expected. I'm stealing her little boy away from her, you know."

Sharon laughed as she dropped into the chair across from the desk. "Yeah, I see you forcing him at gun point to follow you home all the time."

"She acts like I do," she replied with a short laugh. "I'm keeping him from her, because you know I keep him locked in my closet until I'm ready to play with him again."

Her best friend shook her head as she laughed. "She seems a little rabid."

"She's nuts," Johanna stated. "I think she needs medication."

Sharon grinned. "Just think, if things work out, that could be your future mother-in-law."

Johanna shuddered. "That's the only part of that daydream that's scary. She'd probably lure me off somewhere before the wedding and have me done in."

'So what exactly was she complaining about today?"

"She wants me to cancel the plans Jim and I made for his birthday tonight so he can go be with his family instead of me…because I have no right to be apart of his birthday."

"I'm sure that'll be news to Jim."

"I'm sure it will be since he's the one that picked these plans; but I'm not going to ruin his birthday by telling him about his mother tonight. I'll tell him tomorrow."

"Good idea," her secretary replied. "Are you still planning to head out a little early today?"

"Yeah, I need to finish things off for dinner so we're definitely going to get out of here by 3:30 barring any crises."

Sharon smiled as she got up from the chair. "I'll make sure no crises get past the door."

"I appreciate that, and if Jim's mother calls back, tell her I'm not here."

"You got it, Boss."

Johanna sighed as her secretary left the room. Elizabeth was determined to get between her and Jim…but she wasn't going to let it happen. She was going to give him a nice birthday and she didn't care if meant that Elizabeth would hate her even more. She was already damned where that woman was concerned.

Johanna had just finished lighting the candles on the kitchen table when she heard the sound of Jim's key turning in the lock of the door. She quickly smoothed a hand over her hair, making sure no strands had escaped the knot at the back of her head while she had been cooking. She hurried to the living room, crossing the threshold just as Jim stepped inside the door. He sat down his briefcase and then shrugged out of his suit jacket, draping it over the back of the chair as he made his way to her. "Hi, sweetheart," he said, his hands slipping around her waist as he caught her lips in a quick kiss.

"I'm glad you're home," Johanna murmured; kissing him once more as she drank in the feeling of how good it was to see him walk through her door. Her home always seemed so much richer when he was in it.

Home, Jim thought to himself. He couldn't ask for a better gift than having her consider him at home there with her. "I'm glad to be home too. You look pretty," he replied, taking in the sight of her in her ocean blue summer dress that she had changed into.

"Thank you…I figured I could still make the effort to look nice for you even if we aren't going out."

"You always look good, Jo," Jim remarked, brushing a kiss against her cheek. "You don't have to try."

A soft smile touched her lips. "Dinner is ready."

"I hope I didn't keep it waiting too long; court ran over a little."

"No, it's fine," she said, taking his hand and tugging him along with her to the kitchen. "I just finished up a few minutes ago. It's keeping warm."

"I'm glad it's ready; I'm starved…and I've been craving it all day long."

Johanna laughed. "When aren't you starving?"

"When I'm the one who has to do the cooking," he remarked with a grin as a breeze fluttered the kitchen curtains. "At least we have a breeze tonight."

She nodded as she began to prepare their plates. "I had to open the windows to let some of the heat out so we could stand to eat at the table."

Jim gave her a smile. "I should've picked an easier meal."

"Oh don't be silly. It's summer; kitchens get hot in the summer no matter what you cook."

"Be generous with that gravy," he commented lightly as he watched her spoon some onto his potatoes.

"Have I ever been stingy with your gravy?"

"There's a first time for everything."

"Today isn't the day," she replied as she sat his plate down in front of him. She put her plate down on the table and then returned to the counter to grab the plate of biscuits. She went back to the fridge and grabbed a bowl and put it on the table as well. "That's the cole slaw," she told him. "I hope you'll like it."

Jim sensed that she was nervous about giving him a dish that she hadn't prepared for him before so he tasted it first to soothe her. "That's really good," he told her sincerely. "Do you have a little bowl I can put some in?"

Johanna nodded and got back up from the table and grabbed two small bowls from the cupboard before settling down again. She waited until after they had taken several bits of their meal before she asked him about his day. "How was your day in court?"

"Not as bad as I thought it would be," Jim answered. "I was supposed to be going up against Martin Erickson…and you know what a joy he is."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I haven't forgotten what a ray of sunshine he is."

Jim gave a nod of agreement. "He ended up being replaced by Ken Lebowitz."

"How come?"

"Lebowitz didn't give many details. All he said was that Erickson was ill and wouldn't be able to handle the case."

"Someone one probably gave in and punched him in the face," Johanna remarked.

He laughed. "I have to admit, I thought the same thing."

"We just saw him Friday," she recalled. "Remember, we ran into each other at the courthouse and we saw him while we were talking?"

"I remember; we could hear him running his mouth from a mile away. He was the picture of health."

"Maybe his holiday weekend was too much for him," she laughed.

"Maybe so. If someone decked him I'm going to be really disappointed that I missed it."

"You and me both, honey. We could've made a date night out of that show."

Jim finished off his chicken and got up from the table to grab another piece from the platter on the counter. "Good?" Johanna asked.

"Perfect," he replied. "Not that I thought it would be anything less."

"I feel bad that it's cold," she confessed.

Jim shook his head. "Don't; you know I love it cold. Everything is great, sweetheart; it couldn't be any better."

She smiled. "If you say so."

"I do. How was your day?"

"It was fine," she answered although Elizabeth's phone call flicked through her mind. She shook the thought away. She'd tell him tomorrow, there was no reason to spoil his dinner. "Sharon and I got two of those depositions down for our case we have coming up."

"Which ones did you get?"

"Stacey Jeffries and Lucas Wallace."

"Learn anything interesting?" he asked.

"Same stories they've been telling…"

"But?" Jim asked; sensing that something had lit up her radar.

"It's nothing I can prove, just something I feel," she told him.

"What is it, Jo?"

"That Lucas Wallace…I just feel like something isn't right with him. He seemed cagey; some questions I had to keep asking in different ways because he kept going around them. I don't trust him as a witness…."

Jim swallowed the bite of potatoes he had taken. "Do you think he was originally on the other side and something went wrong so now he's trying to get even by jumping in on this lawsuit?"

"Yeah…it also crossed my mind that he could've been paid to switch sides and throw a wrench in our case, if you catch my drift."

Jim nodded. "That's always possible."

"I don't have any proof that he's not what he claims but it just doesn't feel right," she said once again.

"I trust your instinct, Jo. If you feel that way then we'll check into it further. I don't want this case botched either."

"We'll have to be careful; if he catches on that we're poking around about him it could tip him off or the other side if he's working with them."

"We'll be careful," he replied. "I'll have someone on the outside look into him."

"Your private investigator friend?" she asked; recalling that Jim had mentioned running into an old school acquaintance who now worked as a private investigator.

"Yeah; I'll have Leo look into him. He's good at that and he'll appreciate the extra work. He won't let us down."

"I'm not worried," Johanna replied. "I know you wouldn't bring in someone you didn't trust."

"I'll take care of it," he promised; "If anyone else seems fishy that you talk to, let me know and we'll throw them Leo's way too."

"I will," she promised. "We probably shouldn't be talking shop on your birthday."

"Why not?" he laughed. "It's a part of our lives and apparently I needed to know what's going on."

"I want you to have a nice evening."

Jim took her hand. "I am; I'm with you, we're eating a wonderful dinner and we're talking. The topic doesn't matter as long as you're the only one here with me."

She squeezed his hand. "Are you sure you don't want to go to a movie or something after we eat."

"I'm positive. I just want to be here with you…with no interruptions and no one we know."

Johanna laughed. "I should go unplug the phone in that case."

He grinned; "Make sure you unplug the one that really matters."

"And which one would that be?" she asked with a raised brow.

"The one on the night stand of course."

"Of course," she repeated.

"Did I miss anything exciting while I was in court?" he asked.

Her surprise phone call floated through her mind once again but she didn't mention it. "Apparently Charles and Melanie have decided to become the royal couple of the office."

Jim laughed. "Are you serious? They're a couple now…instead of just a weekend hookup, look for the next victim come Monday deal that they usually are?"

She nodded. "You missed all of the gagging…most it was mine. It's a disgusting sight to see…and yet they do seem to deserve each other."

"That's true…I just wonder if anyone's taking bets yet on how long it's going to last and whose going to cheat on who first."

Johanna smiled; "Your buddy Jeff Campbell can help you out with your betting needs."

"Jeff's started things off, has he?"

"Oh yeah; he was all over that…my name might be the second one in the book."

Jim grinned; "What did you bet?"

"Twenty bucks says Melanie cheats first…I gave the royal couple a window of two months to implode."

"I would say six weeks but I'd have a hard time picking between who's going to cheat."

"Flip a coin," she laughed.

"Since you said Melanie, I'll put my money on Charles. What did Jeff pick?"

"He said a month and picked Charles. He also told me to tell you how disappointed he is in you for not going out and having a big celebration tonight."

"He just wants to use me as an excuse to get drunk," he laughed.

"And you just had to go and deprive him of that excuse," she teased. "Shame on you James Robert Beckett."

"Feel free to punish me later, sweetheart. I'll make sure to tell him that you took care of me," he quipped.

Johanna shook her head. "I'm not handing you bragging rights."

"A good girlfriend would," he said lightly.

"Who said I'm a good girlfriend?"

"Me," he said proudly. "You're the best."

Johanna patted his hand. "I do love you."

"Of course you do," he teased. "How could you not?"

She smirked at him. "Although sometimes I'm not sure why I love you…"

Jim smiled; "Oh you know why; you just pretend not to sometimes to make yourself feel better. It just overwhelms you how irresistible I am to you, but it's okay, anytime it's too much for you, you just let me know and I'll try to tone down my greatness…it won't be easy but I'll try."

She burst into laughter. "What did you do, stop and have a cup of ego on the way home?"

His laughter mingled with hers. "Nope, I didn't make any stops. I always rush when I know you're pining for me."

"I don't know what I'm going to do with you," she giggled.

"I'm sure you can think of a few things," he said, giving her a wink. "I have faith in you."

Johanna shook her head at him. "Are you ready for a piece of cake?"

"Always," Jim replied.

She cleared away their empty plates and then went to the cake holder that was sitting on the counter and took off the lid. She sliced two pieces of the chocolate cake and put them on the small plates she had sitting nearby and then carried them back to the table. Jim caught her wrist and pulled her down on his lap for a minute. "What?" she asked.

"I love your laugh," he told her before kissing her.

She smiled. "I'm fond of yours too."

"Yours is better," he murmured, brushing his thumb near the corner of her eye. "Your eyes light up and sparkle and you look so pretty and happy that I just want to keep making you laugh to watch you."

Johanna kissed him. "I see you had a side order of charm with that cup of ego."

He grinned at her. "Aren't you glad you get to have me all to yourself tonight?"

"So glad," she murmured sincerely before stealing another kiss. "I always want you all to myself."

"See, that's why this is the perfect celebration; we get to have each other to ourselves…we both win."

"I agree," she laughed as she wiggled away from him. "Try your cake; I wasn't sure which icing to use so I just went with the white icing I usually make."

Jim sunk his fork into the confection and took a bite. "Excellent," he told her. "I like the white icing on the chocolate; my mother always puts chocolate on chocolate cake and white on yellow cake. I like this combination."

"I'm glad," she replied with a relieved smile, ignoring the comment about his mother.

"I don't know why you worry so much; you know I love everything you make."

"Well, as you said earlier, there's a first time for everything."

He smiled. "Today's not the day."

"I'm glad; if it was, your birthday might not be as happy as I want it to be."

"Neither one of us have to worry," Jim remarked.

After they finished their cake, Johanna set about cleaning up the kitchen. Jim insisted on helping her, despite her telling him that she could take care of it; that it was his day and he should go and relax on the couch. He wouldn't hear of it though and in the end she was glad…even if it did mean that washing the dishes took twice as long due to him making it a playful endeavor, splashing water and soap suds at her which of course meant she had to retaliate in turn. When the last dish was washed and dried, she found herself pulled into his arms for a series of passionate kisses that left her breathless.

"We shouldn't get too carried away just yet," she whispered.

"Why not?" he asked as he nuzzled her neck.

"Because I haven't given you your presents yet."

"I count this as a gift," he replied; his lips brushing against her neck.

"I'm sure you do," she giggled; "But I want to give you your other gifts…the ones I had to go out and shop for."

"Okay, we'll do it your way," Jim said, giving her a pat on the backside.

"While you cop a feel?" she asked.

"Well sweetheart, you had to give me something to hold me over."

"I suppose since you're the birthday boy, I'll consider that an acceptable answer."

"You're so gracious," he commented lightly.

She laughed. "Go sit down in the living room, I'll go get your presents."

"I really hope you like these things," Johanna remarked as she entered the living room with the wrapped gifts she had stashed in the bedroom closet.

"I'm sure I will," he replied with a smile. "Which do you want me to open first?"

"The box," she replied; moving the two smaller gifts to the coffee table.

"Good, that's the biggest," he said with a grin as he tore the paper of the medium sized gift. He found a plain cardboard box beneath the paper and his interest was piqued as Johanna grabbed her finger nail file from the stand and handed it to him so he could slice through the tape holding the flaps down. When the flaps released, he looked inside the box and found a treasure trove of old baseball memorabilia. He smiled, his hands reaching in to pull out the items. "Where did you find all of this?" he asked as he started sifting through photos, programs and old magazines.

"I went to an antique store with Colleen last weekend," Johanna answered. "While she was looking at furniture to buy for one of her clients, I was looking around and I spotted this box. I saw all of it was related to baseball and I thought maybe you'd like to have those things for your collection. I've gone through some of it, a lot of those players are from before your time but I thought might like the historical angle."

"I do," he stated; "I love all of baseball, not just what I've been around for."

"I'm glad," she replied; "I wasn't sure if you'd want it or not. The guy at the store didn't seem to think any of it was worth anything, I got a good deal on it."

"Did you haggle?" he asked.

"No not really; he really wasn't impressed with anything in that box. He let me have it for ten dollars. I don't know if he just isn't in to selling sports memorabilia or if it isn't really worth anything…or if he was stupid to let it get away."

"I'm going to say he's stupid," Jim stated as he pulled out a stack of post card sized photos and began looking through them. "Do you know what these are?"

Johanna shrugged. "Postcards from the World Series according to what I read on them; they're old, I know that."

"I've heard my father talk about these," he replied. "They are old and finding a complete set is hard now a days. There was a card for each player playing in the World Series that year…and this set looks complete. The guy must've been crazy, they have to be worth something."

"I kind of thought he was crazy too but I wasn't going to argue," she replied. "A lot of stuff towards the bottom is from the World Series games, programs, advertisements more post cards, all kinds of things. I thought the World Series was a big deal."

"It is a big deal," Jim remarked.

"Maybe the guy at the store missed the memo."

"He must live under a rock," he replied. "Your sister could probably go back and take him for half the furniture in the store."

"Oh I don't think so; he seemed to know way more about furniture than baseball."

"That could explain a lot," Jim murmured, making her smile as he sifted through the contents of the box. She watched as his eyes lit up even more as he came across something and pulled it out of the box. "Do you know what this is?" he asked excitedly.

"A baseball card," she answered.

"That's not just a baseball card, sweetheart."

"Oh?"

"That's a Mickey Mantle rookie card!"

Johanna smiled; he was so cute when he said things like that, clearing believing that she got the significance. "So that's good?" she asked.

He laughed and leaned over the box to capture her lips in a passionate kiss. "I'm going to guess that means it's incredible," she remarked when his lips parted from hers.

"It's fantastic," he agreed; his eyes still glued to that card. "These are hard to find. Michael has the set of cards this is supposed to be in…but his set his missing this one."

"And I'm guessing you're not going to give that to him."

"Hell no I'm not giving it to him; do you think I'm crazy?"

She shook her head; "No…this is obviously some sort of baseball religious experience."

"Pretty much," he remarked. "A Mickey Mantle rookie card is hard to find, sweetheart. He's one of the greatest players there is, finding his rookie card is gold."

"Then I did a good job," she said proudly.

"You did an excellent job," he beamed. "I'm so glad you found an idiot at that store; he didn't know what the hell he had."

"I'm going back there to Christmas shop," Johanna quipped.

"Please do."

"Maybe I should have given you this gift last," she commented. "You haven't even opened the other two yet."

Jim took the hint and began carefully putting the items back in the box although he wanted to keep digging, but there would be time for that later. She had other gifts to give him and he didn't want to keep her waiting. "I'm ready for the next one," he said as he sat the box aside.

"Are you sure?" she teased.

"Yeah; I'll get back to that one."

She handed him the next gift and he tore off the paper to discover a hardback book all about the World Series. "Hey, this is great," he told her, opening the cover and flipping through the pages. "I didn't know there was a book out like this."

"It must be new," she told him. "I saw it in the window of a book store. I thought you might need it so you can match up things from the box to whatever is in the book. For all I know you might have one of those old games completely documented between the two."

"Wouldn't that be great?"

"I'm assuming it would be for a baseball enthusiast," she replied with a grin.

"Don't worry, sweetheart," he replied. "We're going to work on your baseball education; you won't always be so lost in the details."

Johanna laughed. "I'm going to sleep a lot easier tonight knowing that."

"Who said you were going to do much sleeping?" he asked with a teasing grin.

Her cheeks warmed and he stole a kiss. "I love how you blush about it."

"How can I not?" she asked.

"That's true…I have done some blush worthy things to you."

She laughed; her cheeks reddening even more. "You're so proud."

"How could I not be?" he asked as he laid aside his book. "I'm ready for the next gift."

"I really hope you like this one," Johanna said as she handed him the smallest gift.

"I really don't think you need to worry," Jim replied. "You're doing very well so far."

"Well let's hope I don't break my winning streak here."

Jim ripped open the paper, uncovering a baseball that was sealed in a protective case. There was a signature on the ball and it took him a second to decipher it. Joe DiMaggio. A smile broke across his lips as he glanced at Johanna's anxious face. "How did you get an autographed ball from Joe DiMaggio?"

"Same store," Johanna replied. "Apparently someone had to sell their baseball collection."

"That guy didn't sell this for ten dollars, did he?"

"Oh no," she said with a shake of her head. "He knows who Joe DiMaggio is..."

Jim glanced at her. "You paid a fortune for this, didn't you?"

"No, I wouldn't say a fortune. More than the box, yes, a fortune, no."

"Jo…"

"It's not polite to ask the cost," she reminded him with a smile. "Besides, he's your favorite…which I admit I don't totally get since you were a toddler when he retired but there are some things about men and sports that I just don't comprehend. I saw it and knew it was meant to be in your collection. I was assured that it's authentic; there's a little certificate folded up inside the case."

Jim smiled; he knew she had paid a pretty price for that ball no matter what she said; and while he'd rather that she spend her money buying pretty things for herself, he couldn't and wouldn't chasten her for being so extravagant for a gift for him. It had been important to her to give him something he'd cherish; just as it was always important to him to give her something she'd like no matter the cost. He cupped her face and kissed her tenderly. "Thank you, sweetheart. I love all of my gifts."

"Really?" she asked, a moment of self consciousness creeping up on her.

"Yes," he laughed; "They're great; you had no reason to worry."

"I'm so glad you like them."

"I do," he assured as he sat the ball on the coffee table and picked up the box again. "I can't wait to show my Dad."

Johanna laughed. "You're adorable when you get excited like a little boy on Christmas."

Jim tickled her side. "If you think I'm adorable now, wait until you see me later."

"You're awful sure of yourself," she teased.

"It's my birthday, you wouldn't turn me away," he replied lightly. "That would be cruel and totally lacking in the birthday spirit."

She kissed him. "I wouldn't want to be accused of crimes like that."

"I should hope not; I mean I tried to keep the spirit for your birthday but you wouldn't let me."

Johanna smirked at him. "If it makes you feel any better, I didn't sleep at all that night…I was too busy hating myself for not allowing you to give me all the spirit you wanted."

Jim nodded; "It does ease the pain a little."

She laughed and got up from the sofa. "I'm going to get my shower; do you think you can amuse yourself until I get back?"

"I'm sure I can," he remarked; "Unless of course you need assistance in there and then I'm more than willing to come along and do what I can for you."

"That sounds like you're looking for another gift," she quipped.

A grin touched his lips. "You can never have too many."

"I think I can handle the shower on my own."

"Fine, be that way."

She pressed a kiss to his lips. "You just sit here and look at your box…and maybe later there will be something else for you."

"I'm going to hold you to that," he remarked as she walked away.

Awhile later, Jim was stretched out on the couch looking at his new book when Johanna finally returned to the room. "I was starting to think you were staying in there all night," he commented as she crossed the room.

"It's nice to know that you missed me," she replied.

He glanced up at her as she neared and he smiled at the sight of her in her silky pink robe. "Do I get to unwrap this?" he asked as he sat up; his fingers catching hold of the bow of her sash.

"I suppose you can do that if you're anxious to unwrap something else."

Jim smiled and tugged at the bow, her robe parting and giving him a view of the short lacy nightgown she had on. His hands settled at her waist, the smile remaining on his lips. "I expected silk," he commented.

"Surprise," she declared with a teasing smile.

He pulled her down onto his lap. "You give damn good surprises, Jo."

"I do my best for you," she murmured before kissing him. "Happy Birthday."

"Your best is always incredible," he said as he brushed kisses against the column of her throat, his hands sliding the robe from her shoulders and allowing it to flutter to the floor.

"I think we should go conclude our celebration," she remarked after a few minutes; their kisses growing more heated, his hands becoming greedier.

Jim stood with her in his arms and carried her toward the bedroom. "If I forget to tell you later," he said as they crossed the threshold. "This has been one of the best birthdays I've ever had."

Johanna kissed him, happiness at the declaration spreading through her. "I love you."

"I love you too," he murmured.

The next morning, Jim sat in the chair in Johanna's room tying his shoes as she sat at her vanity and put her earrings on. "Do you want to have lunch with me today?" he asked lightly; figuring chances of a refusal were low.

"I would but I think you better have lunch with the other woman in your life," Johanna replied.

"Who would that be?" he asked as he rose from the chair and picked up his suit jacket to put on.

"Your mother."

"My mother?" he repeated.

She nodded as she got up from the vanity and straightened her sky blue dress. "She called me yesterday."

Jim groaned. "Please tell me you're joking."

"I wish I could but I can't. She called me at work."

He blew out a breath. "What did she want?"

"She wanted me to call off our plans for last night. She said your birthday should be spent with family…not me."

"I can't believe she did that," he remarked. "It isn't like this is the first birthday I've spent away from her. I've been absent from her table on my birthday many times."

"That may be; but this is probably the first time you were absent with the specific reason of being at another woman's table. A woman she doesn't approve of. She's just convinced that I'm holding you hostage and keeping you from her."

Jim squeezed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," she replied as she reached out to straighten his tie.

"She had no business calling you. I don't know what's gotten into her."

Johanna smiled and smoothed a wrinkle from the lapel of his jacket. "Obviously she sees me as a threat…I'm stealing her little boy from her."

Jim closed his eyes. "She's ridiculous."

"In some ways; yes," she replied. "In others, she's just a mother. My mother has always loved Valerie, but that doesn't mean she didn't have moments of jealousy when Valerie started taking more and more of my brother's time. I believe it was the fourth missed Sunday dinner in a row when she finally broke down and cried and said she'd probably never see him again now that he had found someone else to take care of him."

"Mothers," he scoffed.

"Yeah," Johanna said with a soft laugh; "But we love them anyway. Someone put a bug in Frankie's ear that he might want to let his mother know that she still had a place in his life and things balanced out and those little feelings of jealousy toward Val went away; although I will say that my mother never showed those feelings to her face. She didn't blame Val for the feelings she had; they were hers to deal with, not an innocent person who loves her son. Valerie and Mom have a great relationship…and while I know that your mother and I will never be meeting for lunch due to her hatred of me and the fact that I'm still having nightmares about her walking in on me; I think it might help if you made some time for her…one on one time. She probably doesn't have you to herself too often."

He sighed; it made sense and he hated that. "She's probably going to say no to lunch; she'll still be mad."

"Then you just keep asking every so often until she says yes."

"Do you really want to send me into the lion's den? I mean, she's my mother and I love her, I do…"

"I know you do."

"But she's just going to yell about us and who needs that?"

"You can't avoid her forever, Jim. If you just keep standing your ground and showing her that you still have room for her too, then maybe she'll start to calm down about things. Just try, okay? It might make things easier for you."

Jim pulled her close for a hug. "You're being entirely too nice to her after the way she's treated you."

"I'm just trying to make things a little better."

He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Alright, I'll try. I'll call her when I get to the office. We better get going or we're going to be late."

Johanna brushed a quick kiss against his lips before slipping away from him and stepping into her shoes. They moved into the living room and he grabbed his briefcase while she got hers and her purse. "Hey," he said, catching her wrist before she could open the door.

"What?"

He captured her lips in a sweet kiss. "Thank you for a wonderful birthday."

She smiled; "I'm glad you enjoyed it…hopefully it'll be the first of many."

Jim nodded and kissed her once more. "I have no doubt."

Authors Note: I'm not sure which chapter is next…I'm debating between a few things. I'm sure I'll post a few mentions on Twitter about it. I may at some point do a deleted scene of Jim's lunch with Elizabeth.