Reflections

by evitascarlett

A companion piece to 'Apologize'. Chronicling the lives and love story of Jim and Johanna Beckett through the years. See Authors Note at the beginning of Chapter One for more details! Cover art by LordofKavaka

57. Chapter 57- Water Under the Bridge

Authors Note: Thanks for your reviews! To the anon who seems to think I abandon my stories; you couldn't be more wrong, I'll never abandon this story. Sometimes real life gets in the way, sometimes the words don't come out right, and sometimes I work on another project as a little break, but I always come back to this one. The only story I don't update regularly is Redemption and I believe by now everyone knows why.

Chapter 57- Water Under The Bridge

Johanna frowned as she examined her plant late Thursday afternoon. Some of George's leaves were turning brown and crackly and overall the plant was wilting. She'd been in court so much the last week and a half that she hadn't been in her office enough to notice until now but she distinctly remembered putting on Sharon's to-do list that she was to make sure the plant was watered in her absence now that the heat was on in the building. She stuck her fingers into the soil, her jaw tightening in aggravation as she realized it was dry.

"Sharon!" she yelled.

"What?" the secretary asked as she came into the room.

"Haven't you been watering George when I'm not here?"

"When you moved him in here, he was no longer my responsibility," she remarked. "He's yours."

"I put watering him on your list of things to accomplish while I was out of the office this week. You know I've been in court from morning until the close of business."

"You're not the only one who's busy, Johanna. He's your plant, water him, he'll be fine."

"How can you say that!" she exclaimed. "Look at him! He's wilting; his leaves are turning brown and getting crackly. How could you do this to him?"

"It's just a plant!'

"The plant we bought when we started working here," she replied. "He's like a member of the family."

Sharon rolled her eyes. "Don't be overly dramatic; give him a big cup of water and he'll be fine."

She frowned as one of the brown leaves came off the vine as she touched it; she had a feeling that George was done for. She'd take him home and see what she could do for him…and maybe she'd just leave him there so she'd know he'd be cared for. The state of George seemed to mirror the state of her friendship with Sharon…wilted, cracked, neglected. She didn't realize that Sharon had left the room until she returned with a small cup of water from the water cooler in the hallway.

"Do you really think that pitiful little amount is going to save him?" Johanna couldn't help but ask tartly.

Sharon shrugged. "It's better than nothing; you're just staring at him."

"I'm going to take him home and take care of him, I'm sure he can hold on for that long."

Silence fell for a moment and then Sharon spoke in a softer tone. "My bridal shower is tonight."

"I know, I got the invitation."

"Are you coming?"

Johanna breathed deeply; she had debated the decision all day and now that the moment had come to finally decide, she allowed the words to roll off her tongue without any regret. "No, I won't be there. I have plans."

"You can't change them?" Sharon asked.

"I could but I'm not sure I want to."

"But you could…

"I could…but I won't."

Sharon looked away for a moment. "You're just saying that right now because you're mad about George…and because you just want me to sweat it out. But I know you, Jo…I know you'll put aside these last few weeks and come. It wouldn't be the same without you."

"Don't be so sure about that, Sharon," she replied. "I'm not coming; I have plans. Did you go over everything with Frances so she'll be ready to take over on Monday?"

"Yes; I went over everything with her…I hate how you say taking over like I'm not coming back."

"You know what I meant," Johanna remarked. "Did you take care of…"

'I took care of everything that needs taken care of," her secretary interrupted, her tone sharp and a slight glare on her face.

"I wasn't insinuating that you don't do your job, Sharon. I just wanted to make sure everything was taken care of because you're only working a half day tomorrow and I don't know if I'll be back from court in time to see you before you leave."

"I'll leave you a note as always and you'll see me Saturday at the wedding…and we kept your name on the guest list even though my mother is convinced you aren't coming."

"I don't think a wedding is the place to talk business and I guess your mother has a right to feel that way since I didn't say if I was coming or not."

"You're still invited…I didn't un-invite you."

"I never said you did," she replied as she moved away from her plant and back to her desk to finish packing up her files.

"I don't know why you have to be so stubborn all the time," Sharon remarked.

"Family tradition," Johanna replied. "But you wouldn't know anything about that since we're not family."

Sharon smirked at her. "You don't forget anything, do you?"

"No, I get that from my mother and grandmother. We may forgive one day, but we never forget."

"I heard about that phone call your mother made to mine," the secretary said as she moved to stand in front of the desk.

Her gaze flicked to her. "I heard about it too."

"Mom says Naomi is still a mother bear despite not having any cubs at home."

"We'll always be her cubs no matter how old we are or where we live. I'd suggest we drop the topic because I don't want you to have bruises at your wedding…and if you start down the road of insulting my mother, you will have them because I'm coming across this desk at you."

Sharon took a step back. "I wouldn't dare insult your saintly mother. I just think you're a little old for her to be calling other people's mommies to yell about how she feels you've been slighted."

"When my mother has an opinion, she doesn't ask anyone's permission to express it. It's my understanding that she called to notify your mother to remove her from the guest list because she wouldn't be coming and she didn't want your numbers to be off."

"Bull," Sharon remarked. "You went home for your Sunday dinner and told her all about it and she had to rush to the phone to strike a blow for her baby. You've heard of mama's boys, well you're a mama's girl, Jo; you always have been."

Johanna's brow rose. "Sharon," she warned. "I've had a long day, you've killed my plant and you're leaning heavily on the wrong button. I think things are bad enough between us without throwing digs at my mother."

Her secretary looked chastened and gave a slight nod. "Are you coming to the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night?"

She laughed. "Sharon, what planet do you live on lately? Rehearsal dinners are for the family, wedding party and out of town guests if you choose to invite them. I'm not in your bridal party and as you've mentioned before, I'm not family and I'm not an out of town guest."

Sharon rolled her eyes. "You can still come; just because you're not maid of honor anymore doesn't mean I was uninviting you from the events."

"I'm not coming to your rehearsal dinner, Sharon. I don't have any business being there. You know there are traditions for a reason. The rehearsal dinner is for the family and wedding party so the bride and groom can spend time with the people closest to them before the wedding. It's also to thank out of town guests for coming to town for the occasion."

"Not everything has to be by the book; traditions can be bent or done away with all together. You can bring Jim with you; I wasn't going to make you come alone if that's why you're balking."

"Sharon; you can't just invite extra people on a whim. You've already given the restaurant a number and Phil's father already paid for it; you have to stick with what you planned! I'm not coming, it's not my place."

"Fine!" she huffed. "Don't come, I don't give a damn. I was just trying to be nice since you've been so damn sensitive about everything."

"Don't do me any favors," Johanna muttered. "You better be getting home so you can get ready for your party, you don't want to be late."

Sharon glanced at her watch and nodded. "I'll see you at the shower."

Johanna met her eye. "Have a good time, Sharon. I'll try to get here early so I can see you before I have to be in court."

Her friend smirked at her. "Don't do me any favors. I'll see you later."

She sighed. "Goodnight, Sharon," she said firmly.

Sharon finally took her leave and Johanna tried to push the ordeal from her mind as she slipped into her black dress coat and then moved across the room to her plant. Her fingers reached out and curled around a wilted leaf that was turning brown. "I'm so sorry, George," she murmured as tears stung her eyes. "I never thought she'd kill you just to spite me."

"Are you ready to go?" Jim asked as he stepped into her office.

She turned to face him, her chin quivering slightly. "I'm ready."

"Hey," he said in concern as he moved toward her. "What's wrong?"

"Sharon killed George," she cried, laying her head against his chest. "She didn't water him all week like I asked…she did it to spite me."

Jim's gaze flicked to the plant as he hugged her. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"I need to take him home and see if I can do anything for him. I don't know if giving him a lot of water will perk him back up or not…I think he's dead."

"It doesn't hurt to try," he murmured. "If he is…gone; we'll get you a new plant."

"I don't want a new one," she cried. "I want George…he's been with me since my first day here."

He smiled as he nuzzled her hair. "So have I."

"Yeah but that's different."

Jim managed to stifle a laugh and gently pushed her back a step. "Wait here, okay; I'll be right back. I need to make a call; we might be able to get George some help."

"Alright," she sniffled; feeling somewhat silly that she was crying over a plant…but it wasn't just any plant; it was George. When she had gotten hired at the firm, she and Sharon had gone out on a shopping trip to buy a few small things to decorate their new office spaces with. They had spotted their plant after having lunch at an outdoor café and they had each paid half for him…and now Sharon had abandoned him…and let him wither and die out of some sort of protest. It hurt; it hurt in so many ways. She breathed deeply and tried to squash the emotion as she went back to the desk and grabbed her purse and briefcase before sitting down in one of the chairs that her clients used.

"Okay, let's go," Jim said as he walked back in the office picked up the plant.

"Where are we going?"

"Hold off on digging out your funeral dress, we're going to save George."

"How?"

"You'll see; let's go."

Johanna followed behind him, locking the office as she went while he headed down the hallway, purpose written in his stride. She wasn't sure that George could be saved, but she couldn't help but smile at the sweetness of Jim trying to save him for her. He'd been even more attentive and loving ever since her pregnancy scare but she knew the memory was lingering, receding into the past slowly and leaving them at an awkward crossroads at times…like when they'd kiss goodnight and no moves were made to extend the evening. She wasn't really worried about it, figuring that Jim was just keeping his word of waiting until the pills were in her system before making any advances…but it felt a little odd in some ways. Of course she couldn't say it was all on him, she hadn't made any advances of her own; she hadn't been ready and now she wasn't entirely sure how to bring the topic up. She'd wait for him to decide when the time was right, she thought as they got on the elevator; he'd come around eventually.

---

"This isn't going to go over well," Johanna remarked as she realized the direction Jim was driving in.

"It'll be fine; I already called."

"Did you speak directly to her?"

Jim's gaze flicked toward her for a moment. "No; I spoke to her liaison."

"Oh God," she groaned.

"Relax, it'll be fine," he remarked as he pulled up in front of his parents house.

"You know she hates me. She'll finish off George just to drive home the point!"

"No she won't; she loves plants too much to kill one on purpose no matter how she feels about the owner."

"That's comforting," she remarked with a touch of sarcasm.

Jim laughed quietly as he got out of the car and hurried around to the passenger side to open her door. Johanna handed the plant out to him with a sigh. "Tell her to do what she can. I'll pay her."

"Get out of the car," he told her. "You're going in with me."

"She doesn't want me in her house, Jim; I have to respect that."

"You're just as stubborn as she is," he remarked.

"That's the second time today I've gotten the stubborn remark," Johanna replied. "I'm not trying to be stubborn; I'm just trying to show her that I respect her wishes in this regard. Maybe if she knows that I know my place she won't bother you about it so much."

"Alright," he relented. "Lock the doors; I'll only be a few minutes."

She gave him a small smile. "I'll be here."

Jim shut the door and turned away from the car, heading up the sidewalk to his childhood home. He adjusted his grip on the plant as he climbed the steps to the door. He didn't bother to knock, knowing that his father would've left the door unlocked for him so that he could let himself in.

"Mom," he called out as he stepped inside.

"I'm coming, Jimmy," she called back, a touch of annoyance in her tone.

He smirked but quickly wiped the expression off his face as he heard footsteps approaching from the direction of the kitchen.

Elizabeth was wiping her hands on a dish towel as she neared, Robert following behind her. "Where's the tart?" she asked.

"I wouldn't know; you didn't ask me to stop at the bakery and bring you any," Jim replied without missing a beat.

"You know who I mean," Elizabeth remarked.

"No I don't."

"The girl, James," she said sternly.

Jim eyed her. "She's not a girl, she's a lady and she has a name."

"I've got names for her."

"Mind your manners, Lizzie," Robert chastened.

"Fine," she retorted. "Where is Miss McKenzie?"

"In the car," Jim replied. "She said that she respects your wishes about not wanting her in your house."

"Jimmy, you shouldn't have left her out there by herself," Robert stated.

"She wouldn't come in; she knows Mom doesn't want her in the house so she's not going to budge. Can you save the plant, Mom?"

Elizabeth frowned as she came closer to inspect the plant. "How am I supposed to tend to it when she isn't here to answer any questions?"

"I'll go out and get her," Robert offered. "She shouldn't be out there anyway."

"No; I think Mom should go and get her…because if the invitation doesn't come from her, she won't get out of that car."

"He's right, Lizzie; you go out and tell her that she's welcome to come in."

Elizabeth glared at both of them and stalked to the door, flinging it open and storming out on the porch. Jim sat the plant down on the floor and hurried to follow as did Robert. By the time they reached the porch, Elizabeth was already striding to the car and Jim could see Johanna bracing herself as his mother reached the car and wrapped on the window. There was a split second of hesitation but Johanna lowered the window and looked at the woman, waiting for her to speak.

"If you want me to do something for you," Elizabeth said tersely; "Then you get your sorry ass in the house and answer my questions."

"I was told that I'm not welcome in your home, Mrs. Beckett," Johanna replied. "I didn't want to overstep my bounds."

"I think you crossed that line when you crawled into bed with my son."

Johanna sighed in disgust and rolled the window up, turning her head to face forward once more.

"Lizzie," Robert warned from the porch.

Elizabeth knocked on the window again. "Get in the house now," she demanded. "Believe me; I'm not rolling out the red carpet for you."

Johanna reluctantly unlocked the door and opened it as Elizabeth glared at her. She clutched the strap of her purse as she got out and shut the door, falling behind Elizabeth as she turned back to the house. Johanna looked up and caught Jim's eye as he stood on the porch and she could see the hint of apology in his eyes. She gave him a small smile and slight shake of her head. She could deal with Elizabeth, he didn't need to worry.

"Pick that plant up and come down in the basement," his mother demanded as they all entered the house.

"The basement?" Johanna whispered to Jim.

"Don't worry; Dad fixed her up and area for her plants when she needs to bring them inside to tend to them. I'm coming with you."

Satisfied that Elizabeth wasn't luring her to the basement to do her in, Johanna picked up her plant and followed behind, smiling as Robert gave her a wink and tagged along.

Once they were downstairs, Johanna sat George on the table Elizabeth indicated. She stayed quiet as the older woman examined George's vines and leaves and then the soil he was planted in. "How long have you had this plant?" she asked.

"About three and half years," Johanna answered.

"Have you changed the soil?"

"No," she replied as she met her eye. "Was I supposed to?"

"For God's sake," Elizabeth muttered as she shook her head. "People who don't know how to tend to plants shouldn't own them."

"No one told me to change the soil; I didn't think there was any need."

"Oh you don't," Elizabeth retorted. "Well let me tell you something, this soil that this plant is in is cheap and isn't suitable for the long term. If you had the proper soil, it would hold moisture longer and you wouldn't have to worry so much about it if you forgot to water it for a day. How many days did you neglect this plant?"

"I didn't neglect my plant; my secretary did. I wasn't in the office much this week, I was in court, she was supposed to water him and she didn't out of spite."

"What did you do to piss her off?" Elizabeth asked as she picked up a small pair of shears to clip away some of the dead leaves.

Johanna hesitated for a moment but then decided to tell her the truth, even if it meant hearing Elizabeth insult her or agreeing with Sharon just so she wouldn't have to side with her. "My secretary is a woman who I've been best friends with since I was seventeen. She asked me to be her maid of honor. I helped her plan her wedding, which is this weekend, but six weeks ago she told me that I was no longer the maid of honor…I was being replaced by her fiancé's seventeen year old sister. She doesn't think I have a right to be offended."

"Six weeks before the wedding?"

"Yes; me and another bridesmaid got the boot."

"That's not proper wedding etiquette; where was her mother? Why didn't she put a stop to that nonsense?"

"Oh she was at the ambush lunch encouraging it…she said we should be understanding and step aside without complaint."

Elizabeth shook her head. "It's no wonder this world is going to hell; people can't even observe traditional wedding etiquette."

"We've had a series of disagreements," Johanna remarked as Jim and Robert watched the scene with interest. "Or maybe it's a series of events that have dismantled our friendship. She used to claim me as her sister…and when she dropped me from her wedding, she said it wasn't like I was family," she said as she toyed with the wilted end of one of George's vines that Elizabeth had yet to cut.

"I'd remind her of that the next time she wanted something," Elizabeth replied.

"I already have but it seems to have gone over her head."

"Then you didn't do it right."

"I guess not…she didn't have to kill George though."

"George?" Elizabeth repeated; her shears pausing as she held out a vine.

"The plant," Johanna said with a nod. "That's what Sharon and I named him when we bought him after getting hired at the firm."

"He's noble," Jim quipped. "At least that's what I've been told."

The women looked at him and then at each other. "He makes fun of my plant because it has a name," Johanna explained.

Elizabeth smirked at him. "It's no different than naming a car and I know both of the men in this room are guilty of that."

"No comment," Robert replied.

"Apparently Jimmy missed the 'no comment' lesson," the older woman replied as she continued on with her work.

"Can you save the plant?" Jim asked.

"I'll water him as soon as I cut off some of these leaves that there's no hope for," his mother remarked. "He does need better soil that would hold the moisture better."

"Do you have the right soil?" Johanna asked. "Because I'll pay you for it if you can do what needs to be done for him."

Elizabeth was quiet for a moment but then she nodded. "I'll keep George for a few days; I'll get him watered good and change the soil; I'll finish trimming off these leaves. I can't make any promises but if he takes well to a few healthy drinks over the next few days he should perk up and be fine."

"I appreciate you doing what you can for him," she replied. "Let Jim know what I owe you and I'll give him the money to bring to you."

"Elizabeth," Robert said, eyeing his wife as she said nothing about the matter of payment.

"You don't have to pay me," she spat. "I have what's needed; I'm not going out of my way."

"If you change your mind the offer will still stand," Johanna replied; not wanting to fight with the woman.

"Fine," Elizabeth said as she laid aside her shears. "I'm going to water him now and then I'll get back to work on him after I finish dinner."

"Why don't you two stay for dinner," Robert stated.

"No," Elizabeth said in protest; sternness returning to her features as she filled a glass with water.

"Why not?" her husband asked.

"I said I'd take care of the plant; I didn't say anything about dinner!"

"Well they're here, they may as well stay," he replied. "I think it would be nice if the four of us shared a meal together."

"Well you're wrong," Elizabeth replied. "We're not having some kind of cozy little gathering here."

"I thought it was going well," Robert told her as Johanna quietly slipped back to Jim's side.

"I didn't make enough for guests," his wife said sharply. "They're not staying…at least she's not. I might have enough for Jimmy if he wants to stay."

"Neither one of us is staying," Jim replied; "So smooth your feathers, mother. We have plans to meet Jeff and Maggie for dinner tonight."

"Good," his mother remarked. "You do that…and don't go thinking this is going to be a habit!"

"What?" he asked.

"This," she said, gesturing at Johanna.

"Hey; I fully intended to stay in the car," Johanna reminded her.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at her. "I wasn't asking for your opinion."

"Okay," Jim said as he took Johanna's hand. "We'll be going now; do what you can for the plant and let me know when to pick it up. See you both later."

"Goodbye, Jimmy; Johanna," Robert said as they headed for the steps to make their getaway.

They said goodbye and hurried up the steps. "Well that went well for a little while," Jim said quietly as he met her eye.

"Trust me, I didn't expect it to last," she replied. "We better get going or we're going to be late for dinner."

Jim squeezed her hand as they stepped into the kitchen but paused when Elizabeth's voice called after them. "If you go to that wedding then you're dumber than I thought!"

Johanna smirked. "I haven't made up my mind yet…there's a very good chance I won't go."

"If you go, you're a doormat," Elizabeth stated as she looked up the stairs at her.

"Yeah; that's what I'm afraid of," Johanna murmured. "That's why it's so hard to make up my mind."

---

"Are you girls sure you don't want to go to the bridal shower?" Jeff asked as they ate dinner that evening.

"We won't be mad if you changed your mind," Jim added. "We'll take you over and come back and get you and then we can go on out for a drink like we planned."

"There's nothing wrong with it if you want to go," Jeff remarked. "After all, we did go to Phil's bachelor party and we're still not all that pleased with him and his hand in what went down."

"We know," Maggie replied. "You went for the free booze and the strippers."

"There weren't any stripers!" Jeff exclaimed.

"You must've been so disappointed," Johanna replied, breaking her silence.

"A little," he admitted.

Her gaze flicked to Jim. "No comment," he stated.

She smiled in amusement. "Uh huh' that says it all; but really, you two don't have to feel like you betrayed us by going; we never tried to stop you and we weren't mad about it."

"We know," Jim replied as he reached for his glass of water. "We just don't want you girls to feel like you can't change your mind."

Maggie shook her head. "I don't want to go…and I really don't feel like I should when I have no intention of going to the wedding. But if Jo wants to go, I'll go along to keep her company."

"Jo?" Jim said, looking to her for her answer.

"I'm not going," Johanna replied. "I told her I wouldn't be there and I meant it."

"Are you two going to the wedding?" Jeff asked.

"I'm leaving that decision up to Johanna," Jim replied. "I don't care either way. If she wants to go, I'll take her. If not, we'll stay home."

"I haven't made up my mind," she said for the second time that evening. "Ask me Saturday morning…maybe I'll know by then."

"Don't worry, Sassy," Jeff said as he caught her eye. "Whatever you decide, it'll be alright. No one's going to think any less of you if you do go; and if you don't and Sharon gets mad, she'll get over it eventually."

She nodded. "I know…I just wish it was an easy choice to make."

Jim's hand dropped to her knee and gave it a squeeze. "You'll know when the time comes, sweetheart; don't worry about it anymore tonight. Like Jeff said, no matter what, it'll be fine."

Johanna breathed deeply, it would be fine, one way or another…it just might be a different kind of fine than she was used to.

---

Later that evening, Jim followed Johanna inside her apartment, watching as she kicked off her shoes and tossed her purse into the chair. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah; I just have a little bit of a headache," she replied. "That bar was a little smoky…you know that gets to me sometimes."

"I promise you a less smoky destination tomorrow," Jim said as he slipped his arms around her.

A smile touched her lips as melted into his embrace. "I had a good time…I don't want you to think that I didn't."

"I know you did; and it was more smoky than usual in there tonight."

"I just wish this week was over," she murmured as she snuggled closer. "I don't feel like going to work tomorrow."

Jim laughed quietly. "Me neither; let's run away."

"I wish we could," Johanna replied as she tightened her embrace.

"So do I," he said as he pressed a kiss against her hair and then pulled back from her. "Go get something for your headache, get a warm bath and go to bed, sweetheart. I'll see you in the morning."

Disappointment filled her. "You're not staying tonight?"

Jim kissed her. "No, not tonight…work tomorrow, remember?"

"That doesn't stop you on Wednesday nights."

He smiled. "I know, I was here last night."

"Is there some law that says you can't stay tonight too?"

He kissed her again. "It's my weekend to stay with you; I'll be here tomorrow night."

Johanna sighed. "Fine, if you're determined to go, I won't stop you."

Jim smiled. "Are you trying to make me feel guilty?"

"Maybe…is it working?"

"Not tonight," he said gently as his fingers caressed her the line of her jaw. "You need to get some sleep."

"I didn't know you kept me awake last night," she remarked a bit tartly as she moved away from his touch.

She was in a bit of a mood, Jim thought to himself; another good reason to go home and let her be. He had been trying to be careful of her moods given recent events; trying to give her time and a little space to settle back down. It seemed like she didn't want space tonight but it felt like one of those odd moments when he wasn't sure exactly what she wanted or what he should do. He felt like her remark about having a headache was a way of telling him that she wasn't interested in anything beyond a goodnight kiss...and he wasn't sure he wanted to push his luck to find out if he was wrong about that assessment.

"I'm not staying because I have things to look over for work," he lied.

Johanna frowned. "Don't lie; you don't need to make up a story to justify not staying…you don't have to if you don't want to. I'm not going to be mad…I'm just tired."

Jim shifted on his feet. "I probably shouldn't repeat that 'don't lie' line, should I?"

"I wasn't lying," she replied, a flicker of hurt flashing in her eyes.

He cringed slightly, realizing he had leapt to a conclusion without correctly reading her. "I'm sorry, Jo," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to do that."

She shook her head. "It's alright; don't worry about it…it's just me today. It's been a long day."

"I know," he told her. "You should go to bed, get some rest."

"If you keep saying that I might start to think that you're saying I look bad or something."

He laughed quietly. "You look beautiful as always; but I know you had a long day and then there's been the near tragedy with George and the ongoing business with Sharon; add to that the normal stress of work and I'd say you had a full day, sweetheart."

"Yeah; I guess so," Johanna replied as she raked a hand through her hair and moved closer once more to kiss him goodnight. "Be careful getting home, honey."

"I will be," he promised. "I love you."

"I love you too," she murmured before stealing one last kiss, ignoring the longing that she felt, wishing he'd stay so that she could fall asleep in his arms.

"Are you going to be alright?"

Johanna conjured up a smile for him; she'd be fine…a hot bath and a good cry and a piece of the cake she baked the night before and she'd be just fine come morning. "Of course. I'll see you in the morning."

Jim kissed her one more time. "See you in the morning," he told her before he headed for the door.

She followed behind him and locked the door after he was gone; leaning back against it and giving herself a moment to wallow in the sudden loneliness that filled her apartment. She shook it off after a few seconds and then moved back through the room and clicked on the TV to ward of the silence. Sharon's wedding nightmare was almost over; just a few more days and then she could put it all behind her.

---

"Have you made up your mind yet?" Jim asked as he and Johanna remained snuggled under the covers the morning of the wedding.

"No," she muttered; her eyes still closed and her cheek pressed firmly into her pillow.

"The wedding is at six…you have less than 10 hours to make up your mind."

"I'm aware of when it is," she replied as she rolled onto her side to face him. "And how did you end up on my side of the bed?"

"Don't you remember? I woke you up in the middle of the night and asked you to switch me; I couldn't get comfortable for some reason."

"No; I don't remember…why couldn't you get comfortable?"

"My back started to ache; I think we need to turn the mattress whenever we drag ourselves out of bed, not that I'm in a hurry…your side is fine."

She gave a soft scoff and snuggled closer to soak up his warmth. "I guess it's a good thing I'm not overly picky about which side I'm on."

"Probably more like it's a good thing that you can be docile when you're more asleep than awake."

"That too," she yawned.

Jim reached for the remote on the nightstand and turned on the television. "Who has a wedding in the evening anyway?"

"Crazy people I guess."

He turned onto his side and laid his arm over her waist. "Do you want to go?"

"No."

"Then don't go."

"It doesn't feel that simple," she remarked. "I wish it was but it isn't."

"You don't owe her anything, Jo."

"I know."

"Was anyone in your family invited?"

"My parents."

"Are they going?"

Johanna scoffed. "Hell no. Mom was going to go until that maid of honor business went down."

He smiled as he brushed back a few stray locks of her hair. "I would've liked to have seen your mother's reaction to that news."

"It was a thing of beauty. She was livid…she still is. She called Sharon's mother and told her she wasn't coming and why…and there may have been a few Italian curse words mixed in."

"What did you think of her calling Sharon's mother?"

Johanna glanced at him. "I dialed the number for her."

"You didn't," he laughed.

"I did," she affirmed.

"What was your father's reaction?"

"He wasn't happy. You don't slight a McKenzie and stay on his good side. He ripped up the invitation and said she never puts foot in his house again…not that Sharon's had reason to go there since I moved out."

He laughed softly. "But at least it has a certain sentiment to it."

"True."

Her eyes fluttered shut once again and Jim was at a loss for what to say. He knew she was struggling with the internal debate about whether to go to the wedding or not. He wanted to distract her but it didn't seem like she wanted much conversation at the moment…of course she never did when she was still somewhat sleepy and her mind wouldn't let her slip back into her dreams. He had other methods…but they hadn't made love since her pregnancy scare and he wasn't sure she was ready to accept any advances. She was affectionate as always but she hadn't given him any clear signal that she was ready to resume that part of their life. He wasn't overly worried about it; the feelings she had endured were still fresh, maybe they needed time to scab over. He didn't want to pressure her…but he did miss that part of their relationship…he could wait for her though, she'd come around.

There was still the matter of comfort to consider though, Jim mused as he threaded his fingers through her hair and brushed a soft kiss against her lips. She gave him a sleepy smile as her eyes flicked open and then closed again. "You'd think that I had kept you up all night," he said lightly.

Johanna kept the tension from creeping into her body at the comment. "It wouldn't have surprised me if you had."

A small feeling of awkwardness filled the air between them. "Are we okay, Jo?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah; why wouldn't we be?"

Jim shrugged a little. "I don't know…I guess because of recent events."

She took his hand. "I don't have any reason to be harboring any anger…I told you, the anger was yours to have."

He exhaled a heavy breath. "I'm not angry…I know I was at first but that was only until I cooled off and really thought about what you had to be thinking and feeling. The anger was gone after that. We talked about all that."

"Then we're fine," she murmured; having a feeling that the real issue between them was their lack of intimacy but she didn't know how to broach the topic and he hadn't made any moves.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah…aren't you?"

He wasn't all that sure but he didn't want her to get the wrong idea. "If you're fine, I'm fine."

Johanna gave him a small smile. "I know things can feel a little odd once in awhile but it's probably just because of me; I'm all over the map this week. I'll be better now that things will be settling down."

"You're fine; I just wanted to be sure that we were fine."

"We are; we're just settling back in after a little bump in the road."

That made sense, Jim thought to himself. Probably once she was feeling a little less stressed everything would be normal again. He kissed her cheek and allowed the subject to drop. "We should probably figure out what we're going to do about the wedding by 2 at the latest; we'll need time to get ready and time to get there; you know there's going to be a lot of traffic."

"I know," she replied. "I promise I'll have it figured out by then." At least she hoped she would.

---

In the bride's room of the church, Sharon stared at her reflection in the mirror, doing her best to block out the noise of her bridesmaids and her mother. There was a face missing in the crowd…her best friend wasn't there. Her best friend wasn't in the room because of the choice she made…she had swung a sledgehammer at her friendship with Johanna by taking away the title of maid of honor that she had bestowed on her from the moment the ring had hit her finger. She glanced down at the top of the vanity, regret filling her. Maybe Johanna was right; maybe she was a doormat; she had given in to everyone's demands but her own. She felt like she had done irreparable harm to their friendship and she hated herself for that. How was she going to fix it? Could it be fixed? If Johanna didn't show up; and she wouldn't really blame her if she didn't, it would feel like her friend's way of saying that things were far too broken to fix. It was a sobering thought. Just because she was gaining a husband didn't mean she wanted to lose a best friend.

Sharon caught her mother's eye. "Has anyone spotted her yet?" she asked. She had both her sisters keeping an eye out for Johanna if she happened to arrive.

"Sharon," her mother sighed. "I don't know why you keep worrying about whether she's here or not. Let her stay home and sulk; this is your wedding day; you're supposed to be thinking about the new life you're about to begin, not someone who still acts like a little brat."

Sharon's eyes narrowed. "I am thinking about the new life I'm beginning; I just want my best friend to be a part of it. Maybe you don't understand it and I don't have time to explain it. I just want my best friend to be here when I get married…she should be in this room with me right now and she's not."

Her mother fussed with the sleeve of her gown. "You did the right thing replacing Johanna with Phil's sister; it meant a lot to him and will go along way in bringing unity to the two families. Johanna will get over it or she won't; you shouldn't care so much."

"She's here," her sister remarked. "I just saw her and her date."

"Get her," Sharon replied. "Please; go tell her that I have to talk to her before I have to go out there."

"Are you sure?" Allison asked.

"Yes, I'm sure! Go get her and then all of you get out of here and let me be so I can talk to her. All the noise is giving me a headache."

"Sharon," Mrs. Preston stated.

"Well it is. Go, Allison; tell Johanna to come and talk to me…tell her I'm not getting married until she does."

"The hell you're not!" her mother exclaimed.

"Mother; just let me talk to my friend, okay? Sometimes she's better at discussing things with me than you are and I mean no offense by that."

"Fine," Mrs. Preston huffed. "But make it quick. Allison, go make her come back here so we can get this wedding under way."

---

"You wanted to see me?" a voice said from behind Sharon a few minutes later.

Sharon lifted her gaze and looked into the mirror, seeing Johanna in the reflection as she stood near the door. She gave a nod, forcing back a small smirk that threatened to touch her lips as she took in her best friend's appearance. Johanna looked beautiful in her champagne colored cocktail dress with its lightly beaded accents that had an air of elegance while showing her off in her most appealing ways, her makeup carefully done, her dark hair swept up, her ears and throat glittering with diamonds and she noted that her standard emerald ring had been switched to her left hand and the diamond ring she had inherited from her great grandmother adorned her right. She wouldn't say that her friend was trying to upstage her…she didn't think that at all; but she felt certain that Johanna had dressed with care, that she had put all her effort into looking her best to prove something about herself…that she could shine no matter what; no matter how you tried to beat her down, no matter what you did to her, no matter what you thought of her. She was the epitome of class, style and elegance…she could've walked off the pages of any fashion magazine on the newsstand and it seemed to be one of those rare occasions where Johanna carried herself with the air of knowing that she could turn heads…that her attire and jewelry screamed that she had her own money and wasn't beholden to a man…that her presence signaled that she could rise up and be what she thought was the better person.

"Nice dress," Sharon finally said.

"Thank you; I splurged while shopping the other day."

Her secretary studied the dress with a critical eye. "Bloomingdales?"

Johanna smiled. "Saks Fifth Avenue."

Sharon whistled. "Guess you got a real nice bonus from that McGregor case."

"I did," she affirmed, not even bothering to try and hide her pride.

"You didn't have to spend so much on my account."

"Oh believe me, I didn't," Johanna replied. "I bought this dress solely with myself in mind."

"I see…the color is a bit of a questionable choice."

"It's champagne; not white."

"Not far from it."

Johanna scoffed. "This shade of champagne is in a completely different palette from a white wedding dress, Sharon. I've already gotten your mother's death glare, not that I care. You said you wanted to see me, here I am."

"Yeah," Sharon said, her voice taking on a softer tone. "But I wasn't sure you were coming."

"Neither was I," Johanna remarked softly. "I didn't really make up my mind until a few hours ago."

"What made you decide to come?" she asked; her tone quiet as her gaze remained upon the mirror.

She shrugged a shoulder. "I don't know really…I guess I didn't want to sink that low. We've been friends a long time and that time means something to me. I'm not sure it means anything to you lately, and that's okay; but it means something to me…and no matter how hurt I might have been by your actions, I can't just pretend that you aren't the sister of my heart. So I came…knowing that I'm most likely not welcome…but at least you'd know, despite it all, that I was here."

Sharon finally turned on the bench seat and fully faced her friend. "I know I hurt you," she said quietly.

Johanna nodded. "Yeah; you did…I didn't even see it coming. We're pretty blunt with each other at times; we've been known to tell each other things we don't want to hear but there was a line that never got crossed…until now."

"I know…I guess I didn't know how much until you didn't come to my bridal shower."

"Did you really think I would?"

Sharon gave a slight nod. "Yeah, I did…it's just who you are."

"You mean it would be me being a doormat," Johanna replied. "I didn't feel like being one this week. You said yourself that you know you hurt me, so how could you think that I'd show up?"

"I don't know…maybe it was wishful thinking. It hurt me when you didn't come."

"I'm sorry about that," she stated. "You hurt me when you kicked me to the curb six weeks before your wedding and you hurt me when I called you and said that I needed to talk about something important and you acted like I was probably over exaggerating something."

"Well you do blow things out of proportion sometimes."

"This wasn't one of those times," Johanna said quietly. "It was real…and I was afraid and I just needed to talk to someone."

"I was busy."

"That's fine," she replied. "I wasn't hurt that you were busy; I was hurt by the attitude you gave."

"Seems like attitude is all we give each other the last few weeks."

"Yeah it does."

"What was so important that day, Jo? What did you need?"

Johanna shook her head. "The matter has been resolved."

"But what was it?"

"I'm never going to tell you what it was, Sharon. It was something very personal and I found someone to confide in about it. I don't want anyone else knowing…it was a difficult time for me and I'm just getting past it."

Sharon's lips pressed into a thin line. "I guess you told Maggie."

She gave a nod. "Yeah, I did…it had to be someone and it couldn't be you."

Sharon breathed deeply and exhaled. "If I had known it was that important I would've tried to find some time somewhere."

"By the time you did that I wouldn't have needed to talk," she replied; a small smile touching her lips.

"I can't help it that I don't have time to deal with all your problems, Johanna," her friend stated tartly. "I have my own life to take care of. You know I can't always just drop things and be at your beck and call."

"I never asked you to," Johanna retorted; her voice raising slightly, a look of sternness crossing her features.

"I didn't mean it the way it sounded," her secretary replied, regret creeping into her eyes. "I just meant that I'm not going to have as much time as I used to."

Johanna sighed and rolled her eyes. "Sharon, is this what you called me in here for? We already did this; I know you're not going to have time for friends; I've heard it from you and I've heard it from Phil; and you know what, its fine, my life doesn't revolve around you, although you seem to be under the impression it does. I don't need you to deal with my problems; I deal with them. Sometimes I like to talk about them but I certainly don't ask you to deal with them. Now if this is what you called me in here for, we're done and I'm going back out there with my date."

"No; this isn't what I intended at all."

"Then what?"

Sharon opened and closed her mouth twice before the right words finally formed on her tongue. "Jo…do you think we'll ever be able to get past this…to be the way we were?"

She was quiet for a moment as she contemplated the answer to that question. It would be easy to say yes, that all would be well and normal in a few weeks…and yet she didn't feel like she could give Sharon the easy answer she was looking for…because she knew if the situation was reversed, Sharon wouldn't give her the easy way out.

"I hope that we can get past it," she said finally as her friend's gaze bore into her. "It just might take a little time. As for being the way we were and things going back to being the same…I don't think it can."

"Why?"

"Because we're not the same," Johanna said quietly. "We're not kids anymore. We're different now…and how can we be the same after some of the things you've said to me? You seem have some notion that you're my babysitter and problem solver. I take care of myself, I don't need anyone doing it for me. But really, Sharon, despite all that, you know it's never going to be the same…you're moving on and I'm staying behind. You're going to be married and I'm going to still be me. You're getting a husband and a house and one day there will be kids…and I don't know where I'm going to be this time next year or the year after that. I don't know if Jim and I will ever get married; we may be as we are right now for a long time and I'm okay with that. I…well; I think I've made my peace with the fact that I don't need a ring to validate me when it comes down to it. As long as he loves me and wants to be with me, that's enough for me. I know you're sitting there thinking I'm crazy…and that's okay; because like I said, we're different now. Being different doesn't mean we can't still be friends…doesn't mean we can't be best friends…it just means that our friendship is different now."

"It seems like everything is changing so fast," Sharon murmured.

Johanna walked further into the room, gripping her champagne colored clutch tightly in one hand. "It feels like it's taking forever to me," she said quietly.

"Why do you say that?"

She shrugged. "It's just how it feels to me. I think things will be easier once you're married and settled. Your brain cells will calm down once you're not a bride-to-be anymore."

Sharon sighed deeply. "What if I'm making a mistake?" she whispered as her fingers traced the lace pattern on the skirt of her gown.

"Why would you be making a mistake?"

"I don't know."

"Do you love him?" Johanna asked.

"Yeah; I love him."

"Then it's not a mistake."

Tears glistened in Sharon's eyes. "A lot of people marry for love and end up divorced."

"And plenty of people marry for love and stay together," she reminded her.

"There's this little part of me that keeps thinking it's not going to last," Sharon whispered.

Johanna moved closer, her hand gripping the back of the brass vanity bench. "It's just cold feet, Sharon; you'll be fine."

"But what if I'm not? What if I can't live with him day in and day out? Sure, I stay with him a few days a week but I always go home…and now…I can't go home, because I'll have to live with him every day…do you realize that?"

She nodded. "Yeah; that's usually how it works…the wife definitely lives with the husband full time."

"What if I can't stand him after awhile? What if he's always doing little things that annoy me…like how he never picks up his socks and he always has to comment on the order I wash the dishes."

"You just have to work through those little differences," Johanna replied. "My mother says you have to subtly train a man…undo some of the training of the mother and grandmother who spoiled them. She says it's like getting a puppy; they're cute and cuddly and fun to play with but sometimes you have to rub their noses in things so they learn not to do it anymore."

Sharon gave a soft laugh, a tear breaking free as she wrapped her arms around Johanna's waist and leaned her head against her.

"You'll be fine," Johanna murmured as she wrapped an arm around her friend.

"But what if…"

"Did you sign anything besides the marriage license? Any pre-nuptial agreements?"

"No."

"Good; then after a year, if you don't like being married, you can get out of it easily. You know a good lawyer; she'll make sure you get half of everything."

"You'd do that for me?" Sharon cried.

"Of course I would."

"I've made a mess of everything," the secretary said, a sob tearing from her throat as she clung tightly to her friend.

"What are you talking about?" Johanna asked.

"The wedding…me… I turned into one of those crazy brides…"

"Well, sweetie, the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem," she consoled as she patted her shoulder.

"There was the maid of honor thing," her friend cried.

"Yeah; I remember," Johanna muttered. "But it's your wedding; you're free to pick and drop people whenever you want…you just can't expect them to be happy about it."

"I know…I'm sorry, Jo. I'm so sorry I hurt your feelings…I'm sorry I've been terrible, that I ruined our friendship…that I killed George."

"George isn't dead," she assured. "He's being nursed back to health by Jim's mother…I don't know how much he's paying her to do it, but he tells me that George is going to be fine."

"I'm glad," Sharon sniffled. "But I killed our friendship."

"You didn't kill it…you just dented it a little."

"I hurt you."

"Yes; you did do that…but it's over and done with; it can't be changed. It'll be in the past soon enough; we'll be fine."

"Are you going to forgive me?" Sharon asked.

"I always do."

"Why?"

"I don't know…I guess for the same reasons you always forgive me."

"Do you think I'm making a mistake?" her friend asked.

"If you love him and he makes you happy, then it isn't a mistake," Johanna remarked. "You're going be fine…this is what you wanted. I've heard that marriage can be beautiful."

Sharon released her and looked up at her. "You're going to get married one day, Jo," she said softly.

She gave a small shake of her head. "I don't really think so…but it's okay; I have the man I love and we're together; and as long as we stay that way, it's enough."

"You don't mean that."

"I do," Johanna said sincerely. "I'm never going to pressure him to marry me…if he changes his mind one day, then of course I'd marry him…but if he doesn't, it's okay too. I'll be okay as long as I have him."

"But you want a family."

She shrugged. "There's no law that says you have to be married to have a baby, Sharon."

"Jo!"

"Well it's the truth…Jim and I could have a baby without being married…as long as we love each other and love the baby, it would be alright."

"Your mother would die!"

She sighed. "She'd probably need the paddles to bring her back around but she'd pull through and after some crying and a few trips to church to pray and ask forgiveness on my behalf, she'd support us, she'd love her grandchild."

Sharon eyed her. "You seem like you've given this a lot of thought."

Johanna shrugged once again, her gaze dipping to the floor. "Jim and I have talked about it a little."

"Oh my God," her secretary whispered, her gaze focusing on Johanna's flat stomach. "Are you pregnant?"

"No!" she exclaimed.

"Are you sure? Because…the things you're saying kind of sound like you are and it's already been discussed and determined what the next move will be. You'd tell me, wouldn't you? I mean, I wouldn't judge you…I know I've been crazy but I wouldn't turn my back."

"I'm not pregnant," Johanna stated quietly; feeling the raw edges of those lingering feelings that were taking their time to fade away. She felt like she had made her peace with the whole situation; she felt like she was more settled, more secure in her relationship, despite the lack of intimacy since the news of her pregnancy scare, but Jim had been warm and comforting, loving, attentive. She felt like they had reached some sort of new level, even if it had been achieved the hard way.

"You just seemed like it was something you'd thought about and had settled," Sharon remarked; her expression wary as if she was unsure if she had caused offense or not.

Johanna offered her a small smile. "Like I said, we've talked about it a little…and maybe I have thought about it, but there's no news to share. Maybe one day."

A knock on the door kept Sharon from saying whatever words had formed on her tongue. "Sharon, are you ready? It's almost time," her mother called out. "What are you two doing in there?"

"I'm almost ready, Mom," she called back. "I wasn't happy with my makeup; Jo's helping me fix it."

"Hurry up, dear; we can't get too far behind!"

Sharon rolled her eyes. "I'll be there in a minute."

Johanna smiled at her friend and picked up the makeup brush from the vanity. "You better let me fix your makeup…you smeared it a little with your crying."

"I figured," she replied. "I hope I didn't get any on your dress."

Johanna examined her dress but saw no smudges of makeup and deemed it a miracle. "It's fine; let me fix you."

Sharon stayed quiet as Johanna touched up her makeup and tucked a stray strand of her hair back into place. She straightened her friend's veil and gave a nod. "You're good to go…you look beautiful."

Her best friend's lip wobbled as she rose from her chair. "No more crying," Johanna admonished. "You don't have time to have your makeup fixed again."

Sharon reached for her and pulled her into a tight hug. "You're still my sister," she whispered. "I didn't mean it when I said you weren't family…you'll always be my family. I love you."

"I love you too…everything's going to be fine," Johanna told her as she hugged her tightly and then released her. "Come on, it's time for you to go get married."

Sharon took a deep breath and gave her a nod. "Thanks for coming, Jo."

She gave her a nod. "It's what we do, Sharon."

"I'll be at your wedding," Sharon promised. "You're going to have one…I feel it."

Johanna laughed. "Hopefully you won't be there asking me if I'm pregnant."

She laughed. "I promise not to ask until after the honeymoon."

"I'll hold you to that," she remarked as they moved to the door together. "Enjoy the moment, Sharon…it'll all work out, you'll see."

Sharon grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. "No matter what, we're still best friends, Jo…nothing changes that."

"Best friends," she repeated. "Now go before your mother kills us both."

They shared a laugh and then stepped into the hallway where Sharon was swarmed by her mother and bridesmaids while Johanna quietly slipped away to retake her seat.

---

Sharon's wedding had started off well enough, Johanna mused later on at the reception; but no one had realized how vindictive seventeen year old Peggy Harper could be. The young maid of honor had marched down the aisle with her nose in the air, not so subtly hiding the fact that she had been stewing over the fact that her less than desirable boyfriend had been barred from being her date. Her anger over dreamboat Tommy's exclusion had led her to object when the preacher uttered the words 'speak now or forever hold your peace'. Peggy's grounds for objecting, she declared, was because if she couldn't be with who she wanted to be with, no one else should be with who they wanted to be with either.

Shock had spread through the church, the blood had drained from Sharon's face and Phil's mother had to be held back from grabbing her wayward daughter by her ponytail. Embarrassment had washed over Phil's face, and even though Johanna had felt sorry for Sharon, she couldn't help but think it was what Phil deserved, for not only forcing Peggy into the wedding party, but for always giving into her and being part of the reason she was a spoiled brat.

Once Peggy had been admonished by both of her parents, the ceremony proceeded without incident but a pallor had been cast over the affair. There had been hope that things might get back on track at the reception, but little Peggy had one more card up her sleeve. After a small portion of overcooked chicken had been served, the love of Peggy's teenage life appeared in the doorway of the reception hall. Chaos had ensued as Peggy rushed to her boyfriend and Phil rushed after her, enraged that she had clearly invited him to crash the event despite the orders she had been given days before.

In his hurry to throw out his sister's boyfriend, Phil tripped over one of the flower girls discarded baskets and crashed into the wedding cake…taking Sharon's mother down with him, who in turn took down a waiter who was carrying a tray of freshly filled champagne glasses. Sharon had burst into tears and demanded that Peggy be removed from the building as Phil limped to her side to console her. Peggy earned a well deserved smack from her mother as she continued to cause a scene and the country club's security office was called to haul away Tommy. One of Phil's stern looking aunts stepped forward and offered to escort Peggy from the event, promising they'd have a very long, slow ride back home that the girl wouldn't enjoy. The wedding cake was a total loss with the exception of a small portion of the bottom layer which had managed to stay on the table.

Even after Peggy had left, the Harper family drama continued to rage, the loudest battle between Phil and his father as the older man told his son that the day's events were partially his fault for the way he always babied Peggy and gave her everything even after she had been denied it by one or both parents. Some of the guests quietly slipped away, not wanting to bear witness to anymore than they already had. Phil limped through his first dance with Sharon as husband and wife and the bride was struggling to keep from crying. It wasn't easy for Johanna to watch her best friend's day turn into a disaster; she wouldn't have wished that on anyone…except maybe Melanie; but despite all the hurt feelings, she had wanted Sharon's day to be as wonderful as she had dreamed of and now thanks to a spoiled brat, it had been ruined.

Johanna finished off her glass of champagne and sighed; she was growing weary of the reception. It was hard to watch it all go wrong for her best friend but there wasn't much she could do about it. She had tried to console her but she had been brushed away by Sharon's mother and she took her hint to stay at the table in the far back corner that she and Jim had been relegated to…but she was tired of being a witness to the chaos.

"Are you okay?" Jim asked; his hand giving her knee a squeeze.

"Yeah; I'm fine."

"Do you want to dance again?"

She thought about it and then shook her head. "I know it's in bad form to leave before the bride and groom…but I'd just really like to get out of here and spend the rest of my evening with you, if you don't mind."

Jim kissed her softly. "I don't mind at all; and I don't care about wedding etiquette, especially when the bride and groom haven't been very observant of it themselves. We leave when we want to, I don't think we'll be missed…we seem to be public enemies to Sharon's mother."

Johanna gave a soft laugh. "Bonnie and Clyde, at it again."

A grin spread across his lips. "We're just a couple of troublemakers, aren't we?"

"It does seem that way," she answered, amusement in her tone.

"How about we stop somewhere and get something to eat," he whispered. "That dinner they served was more like an appetizer and not a good one."

"Sounds good to me," she replied. "I am still hungry and it's not like we're getting any cake thanks to Phil falling in it…I'm not eating anything Phil has rolled in."

"Me neither," Jim said as he gave her knee another squeeze. "Let's go."

"Should I tell Sharon I'm leaving?" she asked as she picked up her evening bag.

"You can if you want…if you need an excuse, tell her one of us has a headache and we want to head home."

She nodded. "I'll be right back."

"Take your time," he told her.

Johanna crossed the room to where Sharon was holding court with her bridesmaids and her mother, whose dress was still smeared with icing and damp from champagne. She wished that she could've gotten Sharon alone but luck didn't seem to be on anyone's side that day. Ignoring the glare of Sharon's mother, she moved to her friend's side and pulled her into a quick hug. "I just wanted to let you know that Jim and I are going to go ahead and go," she said quietly.

"Why?" Sharon asked. "Besides the obvious reason that this whole thing is falling apart in front of my eyes?"

"I have a bit of a headache," she lied. "You know how my headaches get sometimes; lights and noise can aggravate it and make it worse."

Her friend nodded. "I know…are you sure you're not…"

"Positive," Johanna stated. "If that ever changes, you'll be the third person to know."

"Who's the first?" Sharon asked.

"Me," she replied.

"The second?"

"Jim."

Her friend nodded. "That's logical."

"I thought so. But I didn't want you to think I was leaving early because of any hard feelings."

"I don't blame you," Sharon murmured. "I wish I could leave early…this isn't how I planned it, you know?"

"I know…and for what's it worth; I'm sorry that this happened. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

Sharon hugged her once more. "It wouldn't have happened if I had left things the way they were supposed to be. I guess I always have to learn the hard way."

"Don't we all?"

"I suppose so. Thanks for coming though…I wouldn't have blamed you if you hadn't."

Johanna gave her a small smile. "Have fun on your trip, I'll see you when you get back."

"I'll see you later," Sharon replied. "Go take something for your headache and let Jim fuss over you; he probably enjoys that."

"Yeah; he does," she said with a nod. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Sharon told her, giving her hand a squeeze. "See you in two weeks."

"See you then; bring me back a seashell."

"You got it."

"You're leaving?" Sharon's mother demanded to know.

"Yes I am," Johanna replied.

"It's not proper for guests to leave before the bride and groom!"

"I don't really think you're one to lecture on wedding etiquette," she retorted. "It's been lacking for weeks."

"And she's not the only guest who's leaving early," Sharon chimed in. "I've seen several people leaving; at least Johanna said goodbye first."

Mrs. Preston sniffed and turned away; making Johanna roll her eyes in response. Sharon smiled and waved her off as Phil headed in their direction. She quickly made her way back to the table where Jim was waiting on her with their coats in hand. "You ready?" he asked.

"I'm ready; let's go."

---

"Do you remember the last time we ended up here?" Johanna asked as she sat across the table from Jim at a coffee shop they had stopped in at after having dinner.

He smiled, his gaze lifting from his steaming cup of coffee. "I remember…and if I remember correctly, we sat at this same table."

She nodded. "It was this table…the night of the law firm gala."

"Mhmm," he replied as he blew on his coffee. "There was wedding hoopla on your mind that night as well."

Johanna laughed softly. "Yeah; Colleen had recently become engaged…which had set off several rounds of 'you're not getting any younger, find a man and settle down' lectures from my mother. I was also subjected to my father's opinions about why my sister was able to catch a man before me."

"You haven't mentioned any of those lectures lately so I take it that they've slowed down."

"Mom hasn't issued any of those talks lately. I think she's quietly resigned herself to the thought of me being a hopeless case."

"Now why would she do that when you have me?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I don't think she wants to get her hopes up too much."

"Why not? Doesn't she think I'd be a nice son-in-law?"

"I'm sure she does," Johanna smiled. "I figure she doesn't mention it because it always leads to discord between her and I. But I believe our point here was that I'm always embroiled in wedding hoopla when we come here."

Jim took a sip of his coffee; she was always embroiled in everyone's wedding hoopla but her own, he thought. First it was her sister, now her best friend, and they had recently received an invitation to Antonio and Isabel's wedding in January. It seemed like people all around them were settling down and she was sitting on the sidelines watching. She deserved better than to always be a bridesmaid or a guest.

"You're looking awful serious all of a sudden," Johanna said she nudged his foot under the table. "What are you thinking about?"

He eyes met hers. "It must get old helping to plan weddings and attend weddings that aren't your own."

She picked up her cup of coffee and took a sip, hoping the hot liquid would quell the sharp jolt that comment elicited from a raw nerve she tried to keep buried. "I don't really think much about it," she finally replied. "I don't really like planning weddings to tell you the truth."

"It would be different if it was your own."

"Maybe; but I don't really think about it."

He didn't believe her and he had a feeling that she knew that but she put on her brave, tough girl façade and kept up the act of not caring one way or another about weddings.

"You'd be a beautiful bride," he murmured, his fingers brushing against hers as she set her mug down.

Johanna shifted in her seat, her eyes lowering for a moment before returning to his face. "It's alright if I'm not a bride though," she said softly. "As long as we're together I'm happy and silly things like wedding dresses don't matter."

"Don't do that," he told her.

"Do what?"

"Say it's silly when it's not. It matters to you…but you think you have to keep your word about not asking for marriage."

"I won't ask you," Johanna said softly but firmly.

"You're not supposed to; asking is the man's job," Jim replied. "Don't get me wrong, I'm all for women doing what they want and having the same rights but some things have to be left alone, like proposals. That's definitely still the job of the man."

"That's good because I don't plan on doing any proposing."

He gave her an amused smile. "Good; you know your place."

She smirked at him. "Be sure to tell your mother."

"I'll pass it along…but listen…I don't want you to think I'm against marriage."

"I never said you were."

"No; but I feel like I gave you that impression…and like I told you before, I say stupid things when I'm being an ass."

A smile curved her lips upwards. "Yes, I know; it's hard not to notice."

He gave a soft short laugh. "I know…but I don't want you thinking that I'm against marriage…I'm sorry that I gave you that impression."

"It's okay; not everyone wants it, you don't have to change for me, Jim," she said sincerely. "It's not a deal breaker for me…I told you; as long as we're together, I'm happy."

His fingers curled around hers. "But maybe you could be happier."

Her brow rose; she wished they could change the topic; this one felt like it had the potential to topple their progress. "Jim, you make me happy, honey. Let's just let this go now, okay?"

Jim shook his head. "We've talked about babies, you know?"

She smiled a little. "Yeah…we said someday we'd have one."

He nodded. "I still mean that."

"I'm glad," she murmured.

"I don't think either one of our mothers could take it if that child was born before there was a ring on your finger."

"You're not supposed to get married to please your mother."

"Oh believe me, it wouldn't please her at all," he laughed.

Johanna giggled. "You really know how to make a girl feel good, honey."

Jim squeezed her hand as he tried to swallow his laughter. "My point was originally supposed to be that if we're going to have a baby one day, we may as well do it right."

She laughed. "That sounds even worse, just so you know."

"If I had known we were going to talk about this I would've rehearsed it so it would come out right," he replied; amusement tingeing his voice.

Her green eyes gleamed merrily. "Are you trying to propose?"

"No!"

Her laughter rang out, surprising him as he had expected her to be offended by his response. "Are you relieved?" he asked.

"Well I don't want to be proposed to just because you feel bad for me because my best friend just got married a few hours ago."

"I wasn't proposing and I don't feel bad for you," he replied. "I just want you to be happy; I want you to have all the things you deserve. I want you to forget stupid things I've said before because I don't mean them. I'm not proposing tonight…but that doesn't mean that I'm not ever going to propose. I don't want you to not have that…hope…for lack of better words. I'm making a mess of this."

"We don't need to talk about it right now," she said softly. "Maybe now isn't the right time given that we just came from the wedding of friends and we're looking down the barrel at attending another wedding in a few months."

"You still think I don't want it, don't you?"

"No," she said with a shake of her head. "It's not that…I just think that maybe being at the wedding has something to do with this topic being brought up today…when usually you don't want much to do with it."

He gave her a stern look. "I brought it up because I wanted to; because I want you to know that I haven't ruled it out, I never ruled it out and it wouldn't be because I felt sorry for you, it's because I love you. Did you ever stop and think that maybe I'd like to see you in a wedding dress?"

She smiled. "I thought you had already seen me in everything you wanted to see me in; bikinis, lingerie and naked."

Jim grinned. "Well I am very fond of you in bikinis and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't spent some portion of the evening mentally reviewing your underwear drawer to figure out what you might have on under that dress or if you bought something new, and as for my personal favorite of naked, I admit, I enjoy that sight a great deal and never get tired of it…but I think you'd look beautiful in a wedding dress…I want to see you in a wedding dress one day."

"Maybe you will," Johanna said quietly as that flicker of hope sprung to life.

"Just because I'm not proposing tonight doesn't mean that I never will…do you understand?"

She nodded. "One day?"

"Yeah…I can't tell you when…but then again, I probably shouldn't even I know because then it wouldn't be a surprise."

Johanna laughed softly. "Surprises are nice."

"I think so too," he agreed. "Maybe one day I'll surprise you...just don't count me out, okay?"

"I've never counted you out," she murmured. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"And just so you know, to satisfy your earlier ponderings, I bought something new for under this dress."

He grinned. "That sets off a new round of ponderings."

Before she could respond, her attention was grabbed by the song that began to play. Her teasing smile softened, her fingers gripping his. "There it is," she said as Best of My Love sounded softly through the shop.

"Just like last time we were here," he replied as he raised her hand to his lips for a kiss.

"It really is our song," she whispered. "It always finds us."

"That it does…it found us one more time that night after we left here."

"I know…we could hear it coming from my neighbor's apartment…that was when you kissed me."

"I remember," he said quietly. "I think I knew then that I was done for."

She giggled softly. "And yet it took you such a long time to come around and jump into my net."

"My apologies, sweetheart; I thought you'd enjoy the challenge," he quipped.

"Oh I did," she replied. "I think I was already in love with you that night, it just took me a little while to figure it out."

Jim rose from his seat and rounded the table to slide in the booth beside her, his arm wrapping around her. "It wasn't easy to stop after that second kiss," he admitted. "I could've stood there and kissed you all night."

"I wouldn't have minded," Johanna murmured, her fingers entwining with his once more.

"It would've made me want more after a little while," he said with a light laugh.

"You never know, if the moment was right, I might've gone along with it."

Jim caught her lips in a kiss. "Maybe it's better that we waited."

"Most likely," she agreed. "But that first kiss with you is still special."

He smiled. "It started our tradition of kissing when this song is on."

Johanna nodded but didn't get to answer as he kissed her again. "It still makes my heart flutter," she told him when their kiss ended.

"I hope that feeling never goes away," Jim replied. "I always want to make your heart flutter."

"I can't imagine it ever being any other way," she remarked, her hand caressing his cheek. "And you know…you could kiss me all night long tonight."

That felt like the invitation he had been waiting for, Jim thought to himself as he tightened his arm around her and kissed her again. "I think I'm going to take you up on that offer," he told her.

"I was hoping you would," she admitted, stealing a kiss before he could make a move.

He couldn't resist the temptation of one more kiss and as he was indulging in it while holding her close, a perturbed voice a short distance away called out "Get a room!"

They broke their kiss and looked for the source of the voice, spotting an old man and his wife heading toward the door, the man's disapproving eyes locked on them. "Oh leave them alone," his wife chastened as she swatted his arm. "They're young and in love."

"They should save it for behind close doors like decent people," the man exclaimed as they slipped outside.

Jim laughed as Johanna's cheeks warmed; a soft laugh of her own mingling with his. "Let's go home," she told him. "Last time we were here we almost over stayed our welcome…besides; we have better things to do."

"You're right," he replied as he kept hold of her hand. "Let's go home."

---

Johanna smiled shyly as she toyed with Jim's tie. "You'd think we've never done this before," she remarked as they stood in her bedroom. The romantic air they had captured at the coffee shop had stayed with them all the way home, and given their passionate kisses in the elevator, she hadn't thought that they'd have any problem falling into old habits…and yet they were hesitating. She blamed herself, she had pulled back first, needing to slow down a little…and needing to ask if they were prepared because she wasn't ready to rely on the pill alone. He had assured her that they were, he had produced the proof of it…the topic should've been settled then but then he had asked if she took her pill and for some reason she couldn't understand, nerves had set in…and she had a feeling she wasn't the only one feeling those nerves.

He chuckled quietly, his hands slipping around her waist. "I know…and I don't want you to think…"

Johanna shook her head before brushing a kiss against his lips. "I know," she murmured. It wasn't her and it wasn't him…it wasn't that they had lost the spark, desire or love…they had just gotten stuck in their heads when it came to recent events.

Jim caught her lips in a sensual kiss. "I do want you, you know?"

She nodded. "I want you too."

"Then what's our problem? It shouldn't be like this, should it?"

"I don't know…maybe we should've jumped back in sooner."

"Do you think I didn't want to?"

Johanna shrugged. "I don't know; I've been trying not to over think it."

"It wasn't that I didn't want to…I just wanted to give you time," he said quietly.

"Time?"

"Yeah, I wanted to give you time..."

A small hint of an understanding smile touched her lips as she held his gaze. "Time for the pills to get in my system?" she said quietly. "You did say that you weren't going to make any moves until I had them in my system."

A flicker of regret at having voiced that comment aloud in the aftermath flashed in his eyes. "It wasn't just that."

"Then what?"

Jim breathed deeply. "I just…I know it was a hard thing for you to go through. You were scared and worried and you had to think about a lot of unpleasant things. You carried it alone…and I understand why you chose to do that and we don't need to go over it again; but I also know there was that part of you that was disappointed. You told me how you started to think about a baby being there and that you started to love it…and when it wasn't there, you felt the need to grieve the loss."

"It probably seems silly, doesn't it?" she whispered.

"No," Jim said with a shake of his head. "I get it…I understand it and I respect it. I was just giving you time to work through it. You hadn't said anything or gave any hints so I thought maybe you weren't ready."

Her fingers continued to toy with his tie. "Maybe I as trying to give us both some time to move past it. I guess maybe I just figured you wanted to be sure that I was taking care of things."

His arms tightened around her. "I told you, you don't have to take those pills if you don't want to…because I don't really think you do. We can just be more careful."

Johanna gave a small shake of her head. "It's better to take them and have that protection…especially if we'd be lax in other areas again."

"If you should change your mind though, I wouldn't be angry. We have to be more careful and I feel like we will be, or at the very least, more careful than we were; but if something should happen before the time is right; we'll just make that time the right one. I'd never blame you for it."

"I know."

"If you're still not ready for this, I'm not going to be mad or act like some crazed teenager."

"I know you wouldn't," she hurried to say, interrupting his words.

Jim laid a finger against her lips. "I can wait for you to be ready, Jo. I waited before and you were well worth it and you still are. It's only been about two weeks…maybe you need more time to make sure you feel okay again; and if you do, it's okay; I understand."

Johanna caught his lips in a kiss, warmth spreading through her. He really loved her…not that she had doubted his love, she didn't; it was just that sometimes he showed her how deep that feeling went. Some men wouldn't understand the emotional toll that could come from the thought of an unexpected pregnancy…and while he had reacted badly at first, in the end he got it and he understood. Some men wouldn't understand the need to mourn for something that was never there to begin with, but he did…because he loved her. He'd wait for her to feel better if she wanted…all because he loved her enough…just like he loved her enough to give her the promise of one day…a one day that might have her in a white gown walking down an aisle…a one day that would provide a baby for her to hold and love. He was willing to wait for her…and she was willing to wait for him and his one day that he spoke of. She loved him enough…and that love kept growing and growing without end. She wanted to revel in it, she wanted to feel it and embrace it like always. She was ready to shake off the dust of the last few weeks and dive back in.

"I don't want to wait anymore," she whispered as she untied his tie. "I just want to be with you tonight."

He captured her mouth in a soft but heated kiss. "Are you sure?"

She nodded, her fingers slipping to the buttons of his crisp white shirt as his tie fluttered to the floor. "I just want to be with you," she murmured once more. "But if you don't want…"

"No," he said, interrupting what she was about to say. "I want it…I want you."

Her hand cupped his cheek, her lips skimming over his in a delicate kiss. "Then make love to me," she whispered. "Slowly…I don't want to hurry tonight…I don't need anything fast or adventurous…I just need you…I need us."

He kissed her slowly and passionately. "Whatever your heart desires, sweetheart."

Johanna's fingers entwined with his as she stepped back toward the bed. "Come to bed," she said softly.

Jim followed obediently; being cautious despite her proclamation that she wanted this to happen. She wanted it to be slow and he had no problem giving that to her. Taking his time would afford him the opportunity to remind her of all those little things he liked her to feel…it could heal whatever bruised feelings were there…it could soothe and wash away a few weeks of feeling unsteady. It could cement those quiet promises he had been making to her the last few weeks. He could make her feel all of the things she needed to feel…he could give her everything she wanted.

---

"I almost forgot how good that can be," Jim murmured later on, his fingers threading through Johanna's hair as she laid against his chest.

She laughed softly; her breath warm against his skin. "It was worth the wait."

"It was," he agreed, angling his head to press a kiss against her hair.

"I have missed this though," Johanna murmured.

"So have I."

"I didn't know how to mention it…it's not an easy topic to bring up sometimes."

"I know," he replied. "I felt the same way…and I didn't want you to think I was pressuring you if you weren't ready yet."

Johanna pressed a kiss against his chest. "And yet we said we wouldn't be afraid to tell each other things."

He laughed quietly. "I think this is different, sweetheart. I didn't think you'd be mad and I don't think you believed I would be mad if it was mentioned…it was just an awkward topic given the circumstances."

"That's true; I wasn't afraid of any anger, I guess I just didn't know how to go about it…I figured it would take care of itself."

"And it did," Jim replied. "You know I can't keep my hands off of you for too long…especially when you issue an invitation."

She laughed. "I wasn't even thinking about it being an invitation," she admitted. "It was just us being…us."

"That's the best way for us to be, sweetheart; but it goes to show that we were both right, it took care of itself."

Johanna raised up enough to capture his lips in a kiss. "I'm glad we're back to being us again…well, completely us, you know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I know what you mean," he replied before kissing her once more. "I'm glad too."

Silence fell for a moment until she met his eye. "Why do we get afraid to tell each other things?" she asked softly. "I mean it's not that we do it all the time, we talk about a lot of things, but once in awhile there comes something that even though we know there won't be anger, we still tend to keep it to ourselves."

"I think it's something like survival instinct," he answered. "And I don't mean that the way it probably sounds; just that sometimes there's something that genuinely brings fear, like when you thought you might be pregnant; and sometimes there's just something that feels awkward to talk about and other times its something small that shouldn't bring any anger but there's fear that it will and that it'll upset the applecart. Instinct makes us want to take precautions against that, we don't want to anger each other; we don't want to lose each other; so sometimes we keep things to ourselves. I don't think we're any different than anyone else; everyone does it…and as long as it isn't a huge bad habit, I don't think its anything to worry about. It's just a survival instinct, we want to protect what's ours, we want to protect ourselves and each other…and really there's nothing wrong with that."

She smiled at him, his explanation making her feel better. "Did you learn that during that week you were in the Boy Scouts?" she teased lightly.

"I'll have you know that I was in the Boy Scouts a whole month before Andrew and I got kicked out," he chuckled.

"I stand corrected; and you did get kicked out for the very noble cause of taking up for your little brother."

He nodded. "Nobody's allowed to pick on him but me and my other brothers."

Her fingertips trailed along his jaw. "Your protectiveness is very sexy."

Jim grinned at her. "You think so?"

"Mhmm," she murmured before stealing a kiss.

"Then you stay real close so I can keep you well protected."

"Oh I intend to," she replied saucily.

He kissed her again and then held her tightly as she settled back against his chest, her head tucked beneath his chin. "I'm not trying to be nosy, but did you and Sharon have a good talk before the wedding?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Did you settle anything?"

"In some ways I think we did," she said quietly. "She's sorry."

"She should be."

"It'll just take some time for us to get back to normal."

"There's nothing wrong with that; take all the time you need."

Johanna nodded against him. "But at least there's hope."

"There's always hope," Jim murmured as he brushed another kiss against her head. "There's hope for all things, sweetheart; don't forget that."

"I won't," she promised; sleepiness washing over her. It was comforting to know that things could work out with her best friend…but even better to wrap herself in the warmth of the hope Jim had given her.

---

Late Monday morning, Johanna was still adjusting to the sight of Frances sitting at Sharon's desk. It was odd not to see her friend there and she had to remind herself that Sharon would be back in two weeks. Frances was a kind older woman who seemed to sense that she was having a slight difficulty making the adjustment and she did her best to subtly ease the process. Johanna appreciated it every time the woman laughed when she'd say 'Sharon' out of habit.

"Am I doing everything the way you prefer?" Frances asked, breaking Johanna's thoughts as she flipped through the mail.

"Yes; everything's fine," she assured. "I promise that by tomorrow I'll quit calling you Sharon."

Frances laughed. "It's alright, honey; I understand how it is. You get used to things being one way and then suddenly have to retrain your brain. I'm surprised I haven't called you Cathy yet."

"The day is still young," she quipped. "But I doubt if it'll happen; you're Mark's secretary after all."

"Yes but Cathy is in his office as much as she's in her own so I feel like I belong to both of them. I say her name just as much as his."

"Well then we'll see what happens," she laughed as movement in the doorway caught her eye. A soft smile touched her lips as Jim stepped into the office but it became slightly strained as she caught sight of Elizabeth Beckett following behind him.

"I brought you a visitor," Jim announced as he reached behind him and pulled his mother forward.

"Yes, I see that," Johanna remarked as Elizabeth moved toward her with George the plant held securely in her arms.

"Here's your plant," Elizabeth said somewhat gruffly as she shoved George at her.

"Thank you," she replied. "Is he going to be alright?"

"Did I bring you back an empty pot?" Elizabeth asked tartly.

"No," Johanna replied as Jim poked his mother in the back.

"Then he's fine. He's now planted in good soil that will hold more moisture and keep him better nourished. Keep him watered, do it yourself, don't let it up to other people. Now show me where you keep him so I can make sure it's a proper location."

"Okay," Johanna said with a soft sigh, ignoring Frances's questioning gaze as she motioned for Elizabeth to follow her.

She carried George to his home on the table near the window where he had been sitting ever since she had taken him from the outer office during her troubles with Sharon.

"He's too close to the heat!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "What the hell is wrong with you? It's no wonder you have to water him so much; he's getting dried out!"

"I set him on the table so he'd get sunlight!" she exclaimed.

"Oh good, he can have a view while you bake him," the older woman exclaimed as she grabbed the plant. "Good lord, I hope you have better sense if you ever decide to have children; God only knows where you'd put them."

Johanna smirked at her back, thinking to herself that she knew a few places she'd like to put Elizabeth.

"Keep him up here," Elizabeth remarked as she sat George on top of a small filing cabinet in the corner of the room. "He's still close enough to the window to get some sun but he's away from the radiator. Water him properly every day, extra on Fridays to last the weekend and he'll be fine."

"I'll do that."

"See that you do," Jim's mother stated as she headed for the door. "Next time he might not be so lucky."

She breathed deeply and exhaled, following behind the woman. "I do thank you for taking care of George and nursing him back to health."

Elizabeth spun on her heel to face her, pointing a finger at her. "Don't go thinking that this makes us friends now because it doesn't. I only did it for the plant because I hate to see plants suffer at the hands of people who don't know how to care for them properly. I also didn't want to listen to Jimmy gripe about it for the rest of my life. It doesn't change anything!"

"That's not how we rehearsed this," Jim remarked as he eyed his mother.

"I never agreed to your script," she retorted.

Johanna rolled her eyes. "Believe me, Elizabeth; I didn't think for a moment that this changed anything between us."

"It's Mrs. Beckett to you," she said sternly. "A title that you'll…"

"Never hold," Johanna said with her.

"Well you won't!"

She smirked at the woman. "That's a shame, because I already ordered a new nameplate for my desk with that name on it."

Jim covered his laugh with a cough as his mother's eyes widened. "You think you're cute, don't you?" Elizabeth asked her.

Johanna smiled. "Jim says I'm adorable…among other things."

Elizabeth's lips pressed into a thin line of outrage. "Don't make me regret not killing your plant."

She shook her head. "For whatever it's worth, Mrs. Beckett, I do appreciate you saving the life of my plant. Jim was right, you're a wonderful gardener."

"Don't try to suck up to me!"

"Okay, I think this visit has went on long enough," Jim said as he took his mother's arm. "Let me walk you out to your car, Mom. Jo, I'll see you later."

"See you later," she replied; winking at him as his gaze met hers. He grinned at her as his mother scowled.

"Goodbye Mrs. Beckett."

Elizabeth smirked and turned her head, not bothering to say goodbye. Jim poked his head back inside the office. "Overall, this little visit went better than I expected, but I'm sure we'll talk about it later."

"I'm sure we will," she laughed.

When they were gone, she turned and met Frances's eye. "So, that was Jim's mother," the older woman remarked.

"Yeah; that was her…she hates me, in case you didn't notice."

Frances chuckled. "I sensed some tension."

"That's an understatement. I've never done anything to that woman, but she hates me."

"Of course she does; you stole the heart of her little boy."

Johanna laughed. "Well I'm not going to apologize for that."

Frances's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Just think, if it all works out, you'll be looking across the table at her every Thanksgiving."

She shuddered. "Good lord, Frances, don't put scary thoughts like that in my head."

"You may as well think about it…it could happen."

Johanna thought about it for a moment. "Maybe we can work out an agreement…he can eat at his mother's and I'll eat at my mother's…it would probably be safer for all of us."

"Possibly…or you could live dangerously and host the meal yourself, inviting your family and his."

"You're just determined to give me nightmares, aren't you?" Johanna laughed as the secretary eyed her in amusement.

"Not at all dear; just giving you a glimpse into the future."

"And what makes you think that this scenario you paint is in the cards for me?"

Frances leaned back in the chair and held her gaze. "I've been watching you and Jim for a little over three years now…he doesn't look at you like you're just some plaything, he looks at you the way a man looks at a woman who he intends to spend his life with. You'll be his wife one day; you mark my words. He's got the look; trust me, I know."

Johanna smiled. "I guess only time will tell."

Authors Note: I have two ideas I'm debating between for the next chapter…both ideas will be done, I'm just not sure in which order ;)