Reflections Chapter 65- The Demand Pt 1, a castle fanfic

Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews as always. I'm sorry for the delay; I get behind once the holiday season sets in but I have most of the next chapter finished and for anyone waiting on Redemption and The Visitors; I'll get there, I promise.

Chapter 65- The Demand-Part 1

Johanna had just finally pinned down the piece of information she had been searching for in the pile of documents on her desk when Sharon's voice floated across the intercom. "Your mother is on line one," the secretary announced.

"Tell her call me back; I'm busy," she replied.

The intercom clicked off and she quickly jotted down a note about the item she had found. She reached for another file; intent on going over it again now that she had what felt like a missing piece of the puzzle…but then Sharon's voice came across the intercom again. "She says she needs to talk to you now," Sharon declared.

Johanna sighed. "If only I had a dollar for every time I heard that."

Sharon giggled. "What do you want me to tell her?"

"Tell her to wait a minute; I need to mark this file I'm going over so I don't lose what I just spent an hour trying to find."

"I'll tell her," her friend replied before clicking off the intercom.

Johanna muttered under her breath as she quickly marked the areas she needed to keep her focus on and then picked up the phone and connected to the line her mother was waiting on. "What do you need, Mom?"

"We want you to come to dinner tonight," Naomi stated.

She couldn't help but roll her eyes. "And that couldn't wait until I got home from work?"

"How am I supposed to know if you'll be home or not?" her mother asked. "You're newly engaged; you might plans with your fiancé."

"What would you do if I was in court and not here to take your call?"

"I'd leave a message; but the point is that it's sometimes easier to catch you at work for these small little chats," Naomi replied; "Now; like I said; how about dinner tnight?"

"Tonight doesn't work for me," Johanna replied. "I make dinner for Jim on Wednesdays."

"You're going to be making his meals every day sometime in the near future; reschedule for Thursday."

"I can't; Jim has a business meeting Thursday evening."

Naomi sighed. "Are you going along?"

"No; his client isn't a fan of women being allowed in public it seems."

"Then come to dinner tonight like planned; I'm sure Jim will understand."

"I can't," she said gently. "We already have plans and I'm working on this big case and I've just finally found a piece of information I need for it. I need to do some work on this tonight after dinner because I've been stalled on it for the last several days."

"Dinner isn't going to take all night," Naomi remarked. "I won't even make you stay to help with the dishes and I'll have your father drive you home."

"What's this about, Mom?"

"Your father wants to see you. He didn't get in until late afternoon yesterday so he didn't really want to have you last night when he might still be a bit cranky from traveling but since you have plans we can find another day this week…he definitely wants it to be this week."

"Oh God," she groaned. "He doesn't need a lawyer again, does he? Because I'm telling you right now, it's not going to be me and I mean it."

"It's nothing like that, dear. Your father isn't in any trouble."

"Then what is it?"

"Well…I'm assuming he wants to talk about your engagement," Naomi replied warmly.

"Oh God," she said once again. "That's worse…I don't want to do it."

"It's alright, Bambina; it's not a bad thing."

"No," she said with a shake of her head. "I'm not coming."

"Yes you are; how about Thursday instead since Jim is occupied that evening. Would Thursday make you feel better?"

"No day will make me feel better," she exclaimed. "I hate these summonses to dinner; it never ends well."

"It's going to be fine," her mother said patiently. "It's just you this time…and then next time you'll bring Jim."

"Mom, we talked about that," she said hurriedly; an edge to her tone. "I told you that if Jim doesn't come to Christmas dinner then we'll be over after the holidays."

"I'm not sure Christmas dinner is the right time for the introduction, Bambina. It might seem odd for that to take place with so many people around."

"It's the perfect time," Johanna replied. "There's power in numbers and I like having Grandma on my side."

Naomi laughed. "You sound like you're going to war."

"I kind of feel like it could go that way."

"Relax, darling; everything will be fine and I assure you that you don't need amass an army of supporters. It's just your father."

"Yeah; that's the problem."

"Why is that a problem?"

Johanna scoffed. "You have met him, right? I mean I figured since you sleep with him that you know him."

Her mother laughed softly. "Johanna; this isn't going to be a big deal; just come to dinner on Thursday. I'm sure all your father wants to do is congratulate you and ask about your fiancé and he'll probably mention that he'd like to meet him soon."

She breathed deeply. "Yeah, I know."

"It has to be done sooner or later," Naomi stated. "You're not going to be able to avoid it now."

"I know."

"Are you coming to dinner Thursday?" her mother asked.

"I feel like I don't have much choice," she replied.

"Really you don't," Naomi agreed. "Best to get it over with; it'll be fine. I'll let you go now so you can get back to work. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah; I'll be there," Johanna sighed.

"I love you," her mother told her, a smile detectable in her voice.

"I love you too…lucky for you."

Her mother laughed and they said their goodbyes. Johanna hung up the phone and leaned back in her chair. Now she'd get to dread tomorrow…wonderful; it was always nice to know which day of the week to dread, she thought to herself.

Several minutes later, Sharon knocked on the door of Johanna's office and stepped inside.

"Client?" Johanna asked; her gaze flicking to her watch.

"No; he just called to reschedule for first thing tomorrow morning," the secretary replied.

"How come?"

"His son fell in gym class and is now having emergency surgery for a broken leg."

Johanna grimaced. "Poor kid; that's a rotten thing to happen but especially at this time of year with the holiday coming."

"Yeah it is," Sharon said in agreement. "Gym class can be dangerous…I should know; I took a volleyball to the face in tenth grade."

Johanna laughed lightly. "Yeah; I got kicked in the knee by an overly zealous classmate during a soccer game in ninth grade; you'd think that wouldn't be a big deal but she kicked me so hard that my knee was black and blue and hurt so bad that Frankie had to carry me to his car at the end of the day."

"That's pretty bad," her friend replied with a laugh. "After the volleyball incident, I started making up excuses to sit out as often as possible…and a few times I skipped the class."

"Me too," she said with a grin.

'So what did your mother want that was so urgent?" Sharon asked.

"Oh she wanted to summons me to dinner tomorrow night at my father's request."

"Oh God, who's suing him now?"

"She claims no one."

"Then why does he want you there; there must be a reason."

Johanna shrugged; raking her left hand through her hair purposely to see if Sharon would notice her engagement ring. The gesture was for naught though, her friend didn't notice once again and she suppressed a frown. She and Jim had decided not to announce their engagement to their friends just yet; they had decided that they'd wait and see who noticed the diamond on her finger first. No one had noticed on Monday morning; despite her doing her best to subtly put her left hand on display. It was now Wednesday and her engagement ring still seemed to be escaping everyone's notice. This wasn't how she had imagined it going…after all, Sharon usually noticed everything…it would just figure that her secretary would be off her game this week. "I guess I'll find out his reason when I get there," she said; knowing that Sharon was waiting for an answer.

"If I was you; I'd suspicious."

"I'm always suspicious," she replied. "Anything going on with you this week…you're not exactly yourself."

Sharon smiled and twisted her wedding rings around her finger. "I'm starting to hate my mother-in-law," she answered.

"Oh, is that all?" Johanna asked in amusement. "Well you should've known that day was going to come."

Her friend laughed. "I probably did but I didn't expect it this soon."

"What is Mrs. Harper doing to earn your hate?" she asked as she leaned back in her chair.

"She's at my house every time I turn around…and we don't even live in the same neighborhood!"

"How often are we talking about?"

"Let me put it this way," Sharon said; "When I opened the door Saturday morning to get the newspaper, she was standing their holding it. Phil said we were staying home for dinner on Sunday…ten minutes before I take dinner out of the oven, there she is with a casserole because she has to make sure Phil is properly fed so he has his strength for the upcoming work week…"

Johanna burst into laughter. "Seriously?"

"Oh yeah; it's serious…apparently she doesn't think my cooking can sustain him or something. Yesterday, Phil had to work late so I took the car and went home. I had thrown a load of laundry in the washer and was getting things out of the fridge to make dinner and there's a knock at the door. I open it and there she is! I asked if something was wrong and she says no; she was there to see if something was wrong with Phil and I. I said no and asked why she'd think so and she tells me that one of my neighbors is her friend from church and she saw me come home alone; so you know, clearly that means we're on the rocks. So I go through her very 'nicey' nice interrogation which also included the words; "Sharon, dear; if you can't keep up with the dusting, why don't you hire a housekeeper". I wanted to punch her."

You should've asked her if she was applying for the position," Johanna laughed.

"Don't tempt her!" Sharon exclaimed. "She'd probably leap at the chance. She's driving me crazy; she's always around with dinners, telling me what cleaning products to use, she's got spies in the neighborhood. I can't stand it and Phil…well…"

"Well?"

"When I bring it up he's a…"

"A sissified mama's boy?" Johanna suggested.

"Yes," Sharon said with a nod. "I can't say it though because he's my husband and what does it make me if I'm the one who married a sissified mama's boy?"

"I'll have to get back to you on that," she quipped. "But I take it that Phil sees no problem with his mother's 'intrusion'?"

"Right; he thinks it's fine…she just loves her family. I'm not saying she can't ever come over. I'm not even saying that I don't appreciate occasional advice and helpful hints…but does it have to be every day? I feel like it's an invasion of privacy at times; I mean there are days when I can't even cook for my husband because she shows up with a fully cooked meal and of course Phil is going to take his mother's food over mine. It's just a bit…frustrating."

"I get that; I'd be annoyed too."

"So what am I going to do about it?" Sharon asked. "I've been married two months; I don't want to earn my mother-in-law's undying hate just yet."

Johanna smiled. "Well; I guess you can grin and bear it awhile longer and see if she settles down soon. If she doesn't then you might have to politely and subtly suggest that she call first before coming over."

"What do I do until then?"

"You can be thankful."

"Thankful?" Sharon asked.

"Yes; that you don't have a food allergy that she can use against you…like Elizabeth Beckett has done to me."

Her friend nodded. "Good point."

"As always."

Sharon smirked at her. "Don't go getting full of yourself; after all; you don't even have a mother-in-law problem."

Johanna's teeth sank into her bottom lip as she forced herself not to say the she'd have a mother-in-law before too long. "What can I say, Sharon; I avoided the rush and got in on the ground level…I have a mother of my boyfriend problem and that might be slightly worse."

"You just have to win, don't you?"

She laughed. "Not intentionally…at least outside of the courtroom."

"Uh huh; a likely story," Sharon teased as the phone began to ring in the outer office. She sighed. "Now who is it?"

"With any luck at all; it's my afternoon appointment canceling until next week…for less painful reasons," Johanna replied.

"I'll be back with an update," her secretary replied as she hurried from the office to answer the phone.

Johanna gave her attention back to her work, waiting for Sharon's voice to come over the intercom or for her to reappear in the room. A few minutes later her secretary was back in the doorway, smiling brightly. "Guess what?"

"It was your mother-in-law calling to say she's moving to Florida?" she asked.

Sharon laughed. "I'm not that lucky."

"Then what is it?"

"That was Mr. Keller; also know as your afternoon appointment…"

Johanna's eyes widened. "Oh my God, did he cancel until next week?"

"Better; he's decided not to pursue legal action at this time."

"Really?" she asked; a beaming smile touching her lips.

"Uh huh; it seems that Mr. Keller's wife has convinced him that he's being a bit hasty and that he should give the matter more consideration."

"Smart woman," Johanna replied; "He really didn't have much of a case; it would've just been embarrassing for him."

"I have a feeling his wife may have also made that point. He asked for his bill for your fee and the time you've already put in on the case; that's what took me so long. He'll be in at the end of the week to pay it."

Johanna nodded. "I have to admit; it's nice to have one less case on my schedule for this month."

"It must be your lucky day," Sharon quipped.

"Of course it is," Jim's voice said as he stepped up behind Sharon. "I'm here."

The secretary smirked. "Jo; do you want to see a conceited colleague today?"

She grinned. "Only if his name starts with a J and he's going to behave himself."

Jim slipped around Sharon to stand in the room. "Well my name definitely starts with J but I can't promise to behave…that would ruin all my plans."

Johanna laughed softly as Sharon looked between them. "Are you really sure you want this?" she asked her.

"Absolutely."

Jim gave Sharon a victorious grin. "You heard the boss; now go away."

"You don't get to send me away," she told him.

"Sure I do, watch," he said as he moved further into the room. "Jo; send her away."

She giggled as she glanced at her secretary. "I'm going to send you away; but I'm doing it with love and respect…take a coffee break."

Sharon laughed. "Hey if I get a break out of it, send me away all you want," she said as she closed the door behind her.

With Sharon on her way to the break room, Jim crossed the room and rounded the desk, reaching for Johanna's hand and tugging her out of her chair. "What are you doing here?" she asked lightly; a teasing glint in her eyes.

"This," he replied as he pulled her close and kissed her. "I've been needing to do that for the past hour and a half."

"Then why didn't you come sooner?" she murmured; her fingers toying with his tie.

"I was with a client," he answered. "But I was missing you."

She laughed softly. "I missed you too."

"I take it Sharon still hasn't noticed your ring?"

"Nope; and I take every opportunity to wave it around…I'm starting to think that they all either have noticed and aren't saying anything or they're all just blind because I don't know how they're missing this diamond."

Jim chuckled. "I'm going to say they all need glasses because our friends aren't the type not to say anything."

"That's true; Sharon's just off her game…she has mother-in-law problems."

Jim tugged her against his chest. "Please don't listen to other people's mother-in-law problems."

"Why not?"

"Because it'll make you think of my mother and I need to you to have constant happy thoughts so you don't run in the other direction."

She laughed and tucked herself more securely against his chest. "Then you should've intercepted that phone call from my mother a little while ago."

"Oh no," he groaned; "What is wrong in the McKenzie universe?"

"I've been summonsed to dinner tomorrow night…at the request of my mother."

Jim held her tighter. "Does he need a lawyer again?"

"She says it's to discuss my engagement," Johanna sighed.

"Am I supposed to come with you? Because I have that meeting that evening and I honestly can't get it out of it."

"No; she said just me…I don't want to go."

Jim kissed the top of her head. "Don't worry so much about it. Your father wants to discuss our engagement…well really there isn't much to discuss; I love you, I asked you to marry me. You love me and said yes; end of discussion."

She smiled as she breathed in his cologne. "Frank McKenzie doesn't end discussions so easily."

"He will if he doesn't have a choice; and he doesn't," he said firmly as he held her.

"Maybe I'll get lucky and she'll call and cancel…I did have two clients cancel on me today so it could happen…I might have a streak of luck going."

Jim chuckled. "Yeah but it's your mother…you'll probably need a special brand of luck to get out of something with her."

"That's true; and I'm sure I don't have it," she replied; her arms tightening around his waist. "I wish it was the end of day."

"How come?" he asked; a touch of lightness in his tone.

"So we can go home together," Johanna murmured. "I was thinking about making spaghetti tonight; what do you think?"

"Sounds good," he replied as he pressed a kiss to her head. "We haven't had that in awhile."

"I know we talked about going to a movie but I really need to do a little bit of work tonight…"

"Does that mean I don't get to stay?" Jim asked.

"No; you can stay; in fact I demand it," she quipped.

He laughed. "That's good because I might've had to fight you on the issue."

"Fighting is the last thing we want to do; just give me an hour or so with my work after dinner and then the rest of the evening I'm yours."

"You've got a deal; I have a few things I could look over myself while you're handling your work so don't worry about it."

She smiled at him; worry starting to gnaw at her about the dinner with her parents the next day but she tried to push the feeling away. Why should she dwell when she could just have a stolen moment with her fiancé…who in the office scheme of things still seemed to be her secret fiancé. A sigh crossed her lips. "So how long are we going to give our friends to notice my ring before we break down and tell them?"

"Well since they're clearly falling down on the job, I say we wait until we send out wedding invitations," Jim replied.

Johanna laughed. "That's a good idea…but I might want a couple of them in the wedding party so we might have to tell them before then."

"Okay; then pick out some ugly bridesmaids dresses and send them to the friends of your choice with a note that says 'guess what?'."

"You've just got all kinds of winning answers today, don't you?" she teased.

He grinned. "If you think those answers are good; just wait until later when I tell you some ideas."

"Oh I have a feeling I can guess what those are," Johanna said as she forced herself out of his arms.

"Act surprised anyway," he quipped with a wink.

She gave a small soft laugh; warmth flowing through her as she reached out and brushed her hand against his chest. "I do love you, you know?"

He caught her hand and raised it to his lips to press a kiss to it. "I know, I love you too…and I can't wait for us to get out of here too so I can have you to myself."

"I'm afraid we have awhile to go," she sighed as she glanced at her watch.

"I know; and I need to get back to my office, I have a client coming in," Jim said before stealing one last kiss. "That will have to hold us over for a few more hours."

She pulled him back for one more kiss. "I'll see you later."

"You will," he promised; "And don't worry about your parents; it'll be fine."

Johanna smiled and nodded and walked to the door with him; that feeling in the pit of her stomach nagging at her once more.

"Is this distracting you?" Jim asked; noting that Johanna's gaze was on the show he was watching on TV instead of on the work she had strewn across the coffee table.

"No, why?" she asked as she turned her head to glance at him over her shoulder.

"You just seem more interested in the TV than your work and I know you said you had to get some things done. I can watch it in the bedroom if you need me to, I don't mind."

Johanna shook her head. "No; don't go; it's fine, I came in here to be with you. The main things I wanted to get done I finished while I was in the kitchen while you looked over your papers in here."

"Mine are finished though," he remarked.

"I know; that's why you're nice and comfy stretched out on my couch," she said lightly.

He chuckled quietly. "Don't forget that I've been fed as well."

"Oh yes; we can't forget that; are you sure you got enough? You only had two helpings; I wouldn't want you to still be hungry."

"I'm good for now but I might need a snack later on," he laughed.

"I don't doubt it," she smiled. "The cupboard is fully stocked."

"I know; it always is; that's one of the reasons I like it here so much."

"I can believe that," Johanna said as she gave her attention to her papers for a few minutes before her gaze darted back to the television.

Jim watched her, waiting to see her return her focus to her work but she didn't and he picked up the remote and clicked the TV off. "Why did you do that?" she asked. "You know I don't like the quiet."

"Because you're not getting anything done," he answered.

"I told you I got the important things done; I was just looking to see if there was any other small thing I could go ahead and take care of."

"Apparently you're not in the right frame of mind to do anymore tonight," he stated.

"I'm fine; turn the TV back on."

He clicked the TV back on and watched her once more, noting that she was making an effort to keep her eyes off the TV. He could read the hints of tension in her body as she sat on the floor in front of the couch and he wondered if it was work or something else that was suddenly causing her stress. He laid the remote next to him and reached his hand out to sweep her hair over her shoulder before he gently pressed his thumb against the muscles at the base of her neck and rubbed at the knot forming there. "You're tense, sweetheart."

"I know," she murmured.

"Is there anything there in that pile of papers that can't wait until tomorrow?"

"No; honestly there isn't; the important things are taken care of."

"Then put it away until tomorrow, okay?" he suggested.

Johanna nodded and gathered up her papers and files, organizing them before sliding them into her briefcase.

"Now come up here with me," he quietly demanded.

She rose from the floor, giving him a small smile as she climbed over him and nudged him to move so she could settle between him and the back of the couch. "You always have to put me on the edge, don't you?" Jim teased.

"Mhmm; better you than me if someone has to fall on the floor."

He laughed. "I remember a time when we both fell on the floor."

Johanna blushed. "Yes; but the couch wasn't involved that time."

"No it wasn't but it's still a fond memory…and you know it."

"Oh I know it," she agreed; her hand caressing his chest.

"What's bothering you tonight?" he asked; his tone quiet and warm as his fingers curled into her hip.

"Nothing," his fiancée sighed.

"Must be something or you wouldn't be tense. Are you having problems at work?"

"No; everything's fine. I got one case off my list because his wife convinced him it wasn't a good idea. This other one is sticky but I think I've finally caught a break with it and the remaining ones on my list are a mixture of big and small; some easily handled and some will probably be annoying."

"Like usual," Jim replied.

"Exactly."

"So what is it then?"

"I don't know…I guess because the holidays are coming and there's so much to do. I don't even have my tree up and decorated yet."

"I know; but I'm going to help you get it out this weekend," he told her; "I already promised you that."

"I know…and I haven't really started shopping yet."

"Me neither but we said we'd do that together like we did last year."

"Then we better get a start before everything is picked over…maybe Saturday we can start? We don't have to do it all in one day; maybe just divide the lists up and do so many at a time."

"That sounds good," he said; "I say we do the nieces and nephews first; what do you think?"

"Yeah; getting the kids done first would be good; the toys won't be as picked over yet. So Saturday we'll go get things for Mikey, Angie, Danny, Alicia and Greg. Then maybe the following weekend we can work on parents and grandparents."

"And after that, siblings," Jim added.

"Right; we'll just do it little by little and maybe then it won't seem like so much all at once."

"Good; we have a plan; decorating and shopping for rugrats this weekend; the rest the following weekends so that should ease some tension for you, shouldn't it?"

"Yeah."

"You're sure everything is fine with work?"

"Yes; I'm just a little tired tonight."

"But there is something else; isn't there?" Jim asked. "You're worrying…don't bother to deny it."

"Of course I am," she remarked.

"Because of your mother wanting you to come to dinner tomorrow night?"

"Yes."

"It's nothing to worry about," he assured. "It'll be over before you know it."

"I wish it was over already."

"I know," Jim murmured as he kissed her forehead. "But just remember that nothing he says matters, alright? It'll be fine; you can handle it."

"I know I can…it's just that sometimes I hate to," Johanna replied; "Especially when it's one of these visits that have been pretty much ordered."

"I don't blame you for feeling that way; but don't let it eat at you all night. Its just dinner; like every other dinner you have with them; some are easy, some are a little painful; but you get to leave when it's over so that's a plus, right?"

"Right," she said with a soft laugh.

"Then just forget about it for the rest of the evening; okay? Let's just think about us instead of everyone else. How does that sound?"

"That sounds perfect," Johanna said as she brushed a kiss against his lips. After all, she'd have plenty of time to worry the next day.

Thursday morning, Johanna stepped into the outer office with her client and told him to schedule a follow up meeting with Sharon as she wished him a good day.

"Miss McKenzie," Mr. Gallen said, making her pause in the doorway of her office. "There was something I wanted to discuss with you that I nearly forgot; do you have another moment?"

"Of course," she replied.

"My son was injured in school yesterday," he stated.

Johanna nodded. "Yes; Sharon mentioned that when she told me you called; I hope he's doing alright after his surgery."

Mr. Gallen nodded. "He's alright but he's in pain of course and unhappy that he'll be in the hospital for a few more days. When I spoke to the school to notify them that Josh will be out for awhile; I assumed that they'd offer to pay his medical bills since the accident happened on their watch and inside the school…the principal seemed to find that laughable. I think they should be responsible…can I take legal action against them?"

"That depends on how the incident occurred; what happened to Josh?" she asked.

"He was in gym class and you know those big cargo nets they make kids climb?"

"Yes," she said with a wrinkle of her nose; "I remember those."

Her client gave a soft amused scoff. "You have fond memories of them too?"

"Oh yeah; they were a blast," she said sarcastically. "What about you, Sharon? Did you enjoy your climb?"

"I went to the bathroom that day and didn't go back until the very end of class," the secretary answered. "I wasn't climbing that thing."

"I wish Josh had done that," Mr. Gallen said. "His turn came and he climbed the net; he said he had just reached the top when the brace at the ceiling that holds the net gave way and took him down with it; the bar that's at the top of the net came down on his leg."

"Oh my God," Johanna said with a grimace; "That poor kid."

"I think the school should have to take responsibility for that," her client stated; his anger over the situation seeping into his voice. "Don't get me wrong, I can afford to pay my son's bills but it's the principal of the matter and maybe if they have to shell out some money they'll make sure it doesn't happen to someone else's kid. Can I take legal action?"

Johanna nodded. "Yes; because the accident happened inside the school while Josh was doing something the teacher instructed him to do. The net should've been properly checked before any child was told to climb on it."

"Thank you," Mr. Gallen replied; "I tried to make that point to the principal and he said "things happen; it doesn't mean you get compensated"."

"Oh there's going to be compensation," she remarked. "They're going to have to pay his medical bills and if all goes well; there could be money for his pain and suffering as well."

"Can you handle the case?"

"Yes," she answered. "You'll have to get me the school's information and I'll need your son's medical report. I'll also need to interview him about the incident, if that's alright?"

"Yes; you'll have our full cooperation. Whenever you're ready to talk to Josh, you just let me know."

"Let's say early next week; give him a little time to rest and recover. I don't want him to be clouded by too much medication," Johanna explained.

"I understand," her client said with a nod. "What else will you need?"

"If your son can make a list of classmates who saw the incident; and if you know how I can contact any of those students parents to see if I can speak to them, that would be a help."

"I can do that," he replied; "What's the next step after that?"

"After that, I talk to the school and the Board of Education. The principal of your son's school might think it's something to brush off but I have a feeling the Board of Education will think differently; and once they know a lawyer is involved and preparing a case; it's likely that they will offer you a settlement to avoid going to court and having that kind of publicity," Johanna told him.

"If they offer a settlement that covers the medical bills; I'll happily accept it," Mr. Gallen said. "I just want them to take responsibility and I want them to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else."

"I agree with you," she replied. "They need to take responsibility and prevent this sort of thing from happening again. Bring me the information as soon as you can and we'll get the ball rolling; if the Board of Education would for some reason not want to make a settlement, which I think is unlikely; then we'll file for a court date."

Mr. Gallen smiled and offered her his hand to shake. "Thank you, Miss McKenzie; I appreciate it. I'll get the information you need to you tomorrow morning."

"That's fine."

"Should I offer you congratulations?" he asked her, his gaze noting the ring on her finger. "I believe that's an engagement ring you're wearing and I don't think you were wearing one the last time we met."

Johanna smiled softly. "Yes; I got engaged over the weekend."

"Congratulations," he said as Johanna caught the shocked expression on Sharon's face from the corner of her eye.

"Thank you, Mr. Gallen."

He smiled. "So what will your last name be once you're married; I want to make sure I know how to find you if I'm in need of an attorney."

"Beckett," Johanna answered; a smile clinging to her lips.

"Beckett?" he repeated. "I think I saw that name on the directory downstairs."

She nodded. "That's my fiancé; his office is just down the hall."

Her client offered a warm smile. "I found my wife at work too; seems to be a good place for it. I hope you and your future husband will be as happy as Sheila and I are together."

"Thank you," she said; hoping that she didn't look ridiculous with that smile stuck on her lips.

Mr. Gallen scheduled his next meeting and then wished them both a good day before leaving the office. Johanna slowly turned toward her secretary, feeling her gaze boring into her. "You got engaged and didn't tell me!?" Sharon shrieked; "You horrible bitch. When did this happen?"

Johanna laughed. "Friday night," she answered; "And it takes a bitch to know one; just so you don't forget that you're the co-president of that club."

"Oh I haven't forgotten but I haven't done anything that heinous as keeping an engagement secret. I could just smack you…it's been almost a week and you haven't told me! Why!? Oh my God; are you pregnant?"

Johanna put her hand on her hip. "The next person who asks me that gets slapped in the mouth."

Sharon's brow rose. "Who else asked that; Jim's mother?"

"She doesn't know yet."

"About the wedding or the baby?"

"There's no baby!" Johanna exclaimed. "Oh my God; why do people think a man will only marry me if gets me pregnant first?!"

"It's not that; it's just…you know…at my wedding you're talking about things like being a long time girlfriend and not needing to be married to have a baby…and you and Jim are always all over each other; so honey, it's a natural assumption that there could be a bun in the oven."

"Worry about your own oven," she remarked; "And how your mother-in-law will probably tell you how to properly heat it one day."

Sharon cringed. "Okay; so you're not pregnant; I'm sorry…really, really, sorry; please don't put those mother-in-law images in my head ever again."

"I'll overlook it this time," Johanna told her.

"You're nice like that," Sharon replied with a grin. "Now show me the ring."

She moved closer to the desk and held out the ring for Sharon to examine. Her friend whistled. "What is that, two carats?"

"Three," she answered.

"Phil ripped me off," the secretary replied as she studied the ring. "This is gorgeous."

"Thank you."

"Now tell me about the proposal," Sharon coaxed; "Don't leave anything out."

Johanna told her how the proposal had happened and how she had been waiting all week for someone to notice her ring.

"I would've noticed sooner if you had called me immediately!" her secretary exclaimed.

"Yeah; I heard that from my mother too; but as I told her; I was busy."

"Oh I'm sure you were," Sharon said in amusement. "I bet you were busy all weekend thanking him for that diamond."

Johanna blushed. "Shut up."

She laughed. "Can I tell Phil?"

"You say that like you're not going to tell him anyway no matter what my answer is."

"I would keep it secret if you want me to…but you don't want me to, do you?"

"Oh of course not," Johanna replied. "Tell the world if you want."

"No problem," the secretary quipped. "Let's go to the break room and spread your happiness."

"Sharon!"

"You know you want to."

Slowly her head bobbed in agreement. "I kind of do."

"Then let's go," her friend said she got up from her desk.

"What if they're not there?" Johanna asked.

"Then I'll call Phil's office and make him collect everyone," Sharon remarked as she looped her arm through Johanna's. "Now let's go get this show on the road."

As luck would have it, Jim, Phil, Jeff and Maggie were in the break room for a morning coffee break when Sharon and Johanna entered the room.

"Now we can officially say that the gang is all here," Jeff quipped as the women joined them.

"I'm glad you're all here," Sharon declared. "I've discovered that Jim and Johanna have been keeping secrets from us."

"Is that right?" Phil asked. "What did they do?"

Jim glanced to Johanna. "She finally noticed?"

"No, my client noticed and congratulated me."

"Noticed what?" Phil inquired once more. "Is she pregnant?"

Rage flickered in Johanna's eyes and Sharon jumped in front of her with her hands stretched outwards to stop her from lunging. "Don't hit my husband!" she exclaimed. "I know you said you'd hit the next person that asked that but please don't hit him. He gets a bad brain cell once in awhile. He's sorry."

Johanna counted to ten. "I am not pregnant; and if anyone asks me that again, there's going to be hell to pay."

"What is with people and asking that?" Jim said defensively.

"I don't know but I'm getting sick of it."

"Well if there's no little bundle of joy on the way; what is the big secret?" Jeff asked. "Inquiring minds want to know."

"They got engaged!" Sharon announced, grabbing Johanna's hand to point out her engagement ring.

Maggie's jaw dropped open as she looked at Johanna's diamond. "Wow; that's gorgeous," she said as she moved closer to embrace her friend. "Congratulations; I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you," Johanna replied as she hugged her. "Promise me if I ever get to that crazy bride point like someone else we know, that you'll slap me."

Maggie laughed. "I promise to keep you grounded. Do you have a date yet?"

"No; we haven't decided that yet," she answered as Maggie released her.

"When did this happen?" Phil asked.

"Friday night," Jim replied.

"Almost a week ago and they didn't tell us!" Sharon exclaimed, her gaze shifting to Jim. "Why do I have a feeling that it was your idea to keep secrets, Jim?"

He smiled at her. "Because the thought of your torment and outrage makes me all warm and tingly inside, Sharon."

"Uh huh," she said; "Maybe I should smack you."

"No," Johanna said; "If I don't get to hit your husband, you don't get to smack mine."

"He's not your husband yet," her friend replied.

"Close enough," she quipped.

"That's right," Jim said with a grin as his arm slipped around Johanna's waist; trying his best to ignore the sharp look he saw Maggie flinging at Jeff…and the fact that his best friend had yet to say a word about the news.

"Well, Jim," Phil said; "Congratulations and good luck."

"What do you mean good luck?" he asked.

"With that," Phil said with a nod at Johanna.

"We do just fine," Jim said tartly.

"Yeah; my mother isn't in our business every day of our lives," Johanna remarked.

"Jo!" Sharon exclaimed. "I wanted that to stay between us."

"Then you should've said so," she replied. "Besides; it was either that or hit him and you didn't want me to hit him so what choice did I have?"

"Good point," Sharon relented; "I'll let it pass."

"It's nice to know you're out telling everyone our business, Sharon," Phil said firmly.

"I didn't tell everyone; I only told Johanna."

He scoffed. "Pretty much the same thing."

"Hey," Johanna said; "If you have a problem with me; tell it to my face and get it over with."

"I don't have a problem," he retorted. "I hope you and Jim will be very happy together."

'We are and we will continue to be happy together," Jim replied; giving a Phil a look that suggested if he said one more thing he didn't like, he'd be getting an earful in return.

"I've got to get back to my desk," Phil said as he grabbed his cup of coffee and gave Sharon a quick kiss before leaving the room.

Jeff clapped Jim on the back, a strained smile on his lips instead of his usual casual grin. "Congratulations. Buddy…why didn't you tell me that you were proposing?"

"I didn't want to chance that you'd accidentally tell Maggie," he replied. "It was nothing personal."

"I understand," Jeff replied; rocking on his heels uncomfortably before seeming to shake away whatever was on his mind and then he moved to Johanna and kissed her cheek. "Congratulations, Sassy; see, I told you he'd come to his senses one day."

She smiled and hugged him. "You were right; I'll try not to doubt you anymore," she teased.

"You do that."

"How long have you been dating?" Maggie asked.

"Six months," Johanna replied without thought but Jim seemed to sense where Maggie's question was going as Jeff rubbed a hand against the back of his neck.

"Six months and ready to move on to marriage; that's wonderful. I know the two of you will be very happy together; you were destined for each other," Maggie stated as she hugged them both before turning a sharp look on Jeff. "You and I are going to have a very long talk tonight," she informed him.

"Do we have to?" Jeff asked.

"Oh yeah; we have to," Maggie declared before claiming she had a client to meet and sweeping from the room.

"Son of a bitch," Jeff muttered.

Johanna gave Jim a quick kiss. "I think Sharon and I need to get back to the office and you can take care of whatever this is going to be," she said with a nod at a suddenly brooding Jeff Campbell.

"Good idea; I'll see you later," he told her.

The men were silent until the women had been out of the room for long enough for them to be out of hearing range. "What's the problem, Jeff?" Jim asked.

"You really should've told me that you were proposing to Johanna," his best friend stated.

"Why?"

"Because it would've given me time to prepare what to say to Maggie when she brings up that inevitable; why aren't we engaged conversation," he exclaimed quietly. "If I had known, I could have prepared but you didn't tell me!"

"Sorry; I wasn't really thinking about you when I bought the ring," Jim remarked.

"Of course not; you were thinking about yourself and not how one man's engagement affects every other man in a relationship," his best friend declared.

"Actually I was thinking of Johanna and praying I wouldn't blow it," he replied. "I didn't realize I had to think about all of mankind. Let's not forget that you've been telling me to marry her since a few months after I met her."

"I know," Jeff said as he paced; "But a little notice would have been appreciated. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you and Sassy; everyone knows you belong together…but give a notice, damn it! You heard Maggie, didn't you? We're going to have a long talk tonight…you know what she wants, don't you?"

Jim nodded. "She wants to get married…I can recommend a good jewelry store if you want to pick up a ring."

"Not funny," Jeff retorted.

"If it was the other way around, you'd think it was funny."

"But it's not the other way around," Jeff said. "This is me in hot water now. She's going to want answers and promises."

"So give her some answers and promises," Jim replied. "I promised Johanna a baby before I had even made up my mind about proposing."

"Oh God; I hope she doesn't tell Maggie that! What the hell has gotten into you all of a sudden? That woman had to practically beg you to date her and within six months you're promising babies and handing out rings. What the hell, man!?"

Jim laughed. "It just felt like the right time…I just can't imagine ever wanting to be with someone else…and I'm tired of not getting to go home with her every day. Its time; I know it seems kind of fast but really in the big scheme of things given how things were between us; it isn't fast at all…she's been very patient with me."

"I know; she's got the patience of a saint; but still; you could've warned me!"

"I'm sorry," he said; "But I don't know what you want me to do."

"I don't know either," Jeff said as he raked his hands through his brown hair.

"Why don't you marry her?"

"Really?" Jeff asked; "Et tu, Brutus?"

"I think that line may be premature; no one else has asked you that yet."

"Maggie will be tonight."

"Well then you should start thinking of answers. Tell me why don't you marry her? You've been together for a long time."

"I don't know," Jeff said as he paced the room. "I love her; I love her more than anything and I want to make her happy…"

"But?"

"But her father hates me…and I guess that makes me feel like I'm not good enough for her."

"That's ridiculous," Jim replied; "You're good enough and besides; it isn't her father's choice to make; it's Maggie's."

"Yeah but I feel like it would end up coming between him and he seems like the kind of bastard that would disown her and it would hurt her and I'd feel guilty."

"Again; that should be Maggie's choice to make. I don't think she cares about her father's opinion; she loves you and you love her and that's all that matters. If you're not ready, just tell her you need a little more time but maybe throw her something to keep her from getting angry."

"Like what?"

"Like a promise that a ring is in her future…not too far in the future though."

Jeff sighed. "You sure did make my life complicated all of a sudden."

"You'll live," Jim quipped. "Maybe it's my turn to laugh while you squirm…after all; you've had a lot of laughs at my expense."

"Yeah," his friend said; "I liked it better that way."

"I'm sure you did but fairness means you have a turn," he said as he clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."

"I hope so," Jeff said as they picked up their coffee mugs; "But I've been kind of dreading this moment with Maggie…she's a handful when she's got a bee in her bonnet."

"Aren't they all?"

"Pretty much."

"It'll work out," Jim said once again. "She'll either accept that you need time or you'll get married next week; either way it'll be fine."

Jeff grimaced. "I hate you a little right now."

"That's okay; I'm extra happy this week so I don't mind."

"Yeah, I bet you are," his friend remarked with a wry grin. "I'm sure Sassy's been keeping you very happy as a thank you for that ring; and while we're on the topic of that, when I do have to buy Maggie a ring; how am I supposed to compete with that rock you put on Johanna's finger? What is that anyway?"

"It's a three carat emerald cut diamond solitaire on an 18 karat gold band," Jim said proudly.

Jeff whistled. "What did you have to sell for that?"

"I used some of my stock dividends; I hadn't touched those is a long time, it took care of the cost. Don't act like you can't afford to buy Maggie a nice ring; you've got enough socked away that you won't be bankrupt."

"But still; you have to go out and get a three carat diamond; you know that tonight Sharon's going to be on Phil wanting to know why she didn't get a diamond that big; and Maggie's going to expect one that size or close to it. You just had to cause trouble, didn't you?"

He grinned. "Yeah, I did; I'm not letting her get away."

Jeff smirked at him. "Well the next time you're making some big grand gesture; send out a warning, would you?"

"Sure; that's what friends are for."

Jeff scoffed. "Apparently only with a reminder."

Jim smiled. "I'll try to reform…but you're going to have to marry Maggie eventually."

"Yeah; I know…I just didn't figure on you rushing me into it!"

He laughed. "Sorry about that; but hey; let me know if you need the name of that jewelry store and I can also highly recommend Tavern on the Green for the celebration dinner; the champagne is excellent."

"Tavern on the Green!" Jeff exclaimed. "Christ, Jim; a three carat diamond, Tavern on the Green and champagne; you're just going all out on this. Why didn't you just jet her off to Paris and propose at the top of the Eiffel Tower?"

"She's afraid of heights and she probably would've gotten suspicious if I had asked her to get a passport," he replied.

"Still; you're making difficult for the rest of us, you know?"

"Then you probably don't want to know that it was a weekend long celebration complete with the show at Radio City, right?"

Jeff nodded. "Yeah, I probably don't want to know…who knew you'd go out on an engagement palooza."

"In my defense; some of it was Johanna's idea," he laughed.

"In that case I'm going to have to hate you both just a tiny little bit for a little while…just give me a few days and I'll feel better," Jeff replied. "That is unless you've got anymore surprises up your sleeve."

'No; that's all for this week," Jim replied. "The only surprise left is the one I'm giving my mother for Christmas."

"What's that?"

"The news of my impending marriage," he said with a grin.

Jeff laughed. "It's not going to be a merry Christmas in the Beckett household when that little surprise in unleashed."

"Yeah, I know…it's called, revenge for Thanksgiving."

"The gift every mother dreams of," Jeff quipped. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"Oh I do," he said as they headed for the door. "You just worry about what you're going to do."

Jeff nodded. "Thanks for the reminder; I had almost forgotten my impending doom there for a second."

"That's what I'm here for," Jim replied with a laugh.

"Apparently you're here to be a troublemaker this week," Jeff declared.

"Maybe, but I'm not the least bit sorry," he remarked.

"I'm sorry I was running late," Johanna said to Jim as she hurried into her apartment early that evening to leave her briefcase.

"Don't worry about it," he replied. "You were only a few minutes behind; it's not a big deal."

"Yeah but then we hit traffic and you have that meeting after you drop me off," she said as she quickly grabbed her compact from her purse to check her makeup. "Are you sure you have time to drop me off? I don't want to make you late."

Jim glanced at his watch. "I've got plenty of time to drop you off and get to where I need to be. If anyone is accused of being late it'll probably be you."

"I know," she muttered as she snapped her compact shut and shoved it back into her bag while moving back toward the door. "I'm sure I'll hear about it too but I can't help it that things sometimes take longer than I'd like."

'That's right; you can't. Courts and clients don't care about our plans."

"You've got that right; we know that all too well," Johanna said; her stride quick as they left her apartment and headed back down the hall to the elevator. "How did you do in court this afternoon?"

Disgruntlement flicked across Jim's features as his finger stabbed the button for the elevator. "If Sebastian Crane doesn't keep his mouth shut, his case is going to get thrown out of court. He thinks he can just yell out and question witnesses and the judge anytime he wants."

"Why am I not surprised that he's one of those?" she said as the doors slid open and they stepped onto the elevator.

Jim scoffed. "I have to admit that I wouldn't mind seeing the judge throw him in the jail for contempt."

'Well, honey, keep hoping; maybe you'll get your wish…it is the season for it, you know?" she said lightly.

"That's one of the top things on my list this year," he laughed.

"What else is on your list for Christmas?"

"Golf clubs," he answered.

"Golf clubs?" she repeated. "I thought you rented clubs when you play."

"I do but why waste that money when I could just have my own?"

"Good point. Anything else on your list?" Johanna questioned as the elevator came to a stop.

He shrugged as the doors slid open and they stepped into the lobby. "You know the stuff I like, Jo. I'll like anything you give me. I do like that cologne you gave me a few months ago; I like it better than my other one."

"I do too," she smiled. "It suits you."

"I think so too," he replied while they made their way outside and to his car.

Once they were settled in the car and Jim had pulled into traffic, he cast a quick glance at Johanna. "What do you want for Christmas, little girl? I have it on good authority that you've been pretty good this year."

She laughed. "I already got what I wanted," she said, wiggling her finger at him so he could see her diamond.

Jim chuckled. "That's not your Christmas gift though…that's your 'for the love of God, please marry me, gift."

Her laughter rang out loud and merrily. "I've never heard it called that before."

"That's the proper name for it," Jim quipped; "They just shortened to engagement ring over the years so it wasn't such a mouth full."

"I see," she said in amusement. "Engagement does make it sound a little more classy."

"Right; now tell me what you want for Christmas."

"I don't really know," she replied. "I haven't thought about it much. I've kind been in a 'thank God someone wants to marry me' haze."

Jim gave her a grin. "I'm sure there are plenty of men who would like to marry you, sweetheart; but you're all mine so too bad for them. I'm still without gift ideas though."

"Well I'm running low on my perfume."

"That's not enough; I need to find more than that."

"I don't know…browse through the wishbook and see if you see anything you think I might like," she suggested lightly.

"What if you discreetly circle some things before I browse?"

"I'll put it on my to-do list for this weekend," Johanna said. "There is one thing I could use that I just thought of."

"What's that?"

"A new watch; the band on this one is starting to break."

"It's been noted."

"I never got to ask you what Jeff's issue was in the break room today," she said after a moment of silence.

"Apparently I've fouled up his life by getting engaged," Jim answered.

"Really?" she laughed. "That's a shame. I wasn't aware that it would be a problem."

"I mentioned that too and he informed me that one man's engagement always affects every other man's relationship."

"Hmm; I hadn't heard that; I guess we're learning something new today."

"I guess so. Maggie said they were going to have a long talk tonight and Jeff knows it's going to be about why they aren't engaged when they've been together longer than we have."

"Technically speaking," Johanna added.

"Right. I told him I could recommend a jewelry store but he wasn't amused."

"Why hasn't he proposed to her?"

"Because of her father," Jim answered; "At least that's the only reason he's giving at the moment. Her father makes him think that he isn't good enough for her."

"He's good enough," she stated.

"We all know that but there's something about Maggie's father that gets into his head. I told him to at least try to promise her something; like that he just needs a little more time first."

"Maggie might be accepting of that but I hope he's honest with her about the reason…because if he's not; he could end up blowing their relationship."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Jim replied. "You don't want to see a broken hearted Jeff Campbell; it's not pretty, trust me."

"Oh I can imagine."

"I think he does want to marry her…he's just afraid that she'll have to choose between him and her father."

"Fathers," Johanna sighed. "They're a pain in the ass."

Jim dropped his hand to her knee. "I'm not bothered by yours."

"You haven't met him yet."

"But I will," he replied; "And I'm still going to feel the same."

"I hope so. Have you made up your mind about Christmas dinner?"

"Honestly, I haven't given anything about the holidays much thought the last few days."

"I'm not pressuring you," she said softly.

"Unlike I did to you for Thanksgiving?" he asked.

"You didn't; I could've said no."

"You did, a few times to be exact and I bullied you into going and then look what happened to you."

"It wasn't your fault."

"It's partly mine," Jim remarked. "But I'll let you know for sure next week, okay?"

"Yeah; and no matter what; I'm not going to be mad if you say no."

"Do you think I'm going to?"

Johanna shrugged. "I don't know; I try not to think about it."

"Are you nervous about something, Jo?" he asked.

"No, why?"

"You're tapping your foot all of a sudden."

"Oh," she said as she forced her foot to hold still. "I guess I just don't want to have dinner with my parents tonight. I don't want to hear whatever it is my father has to say."

"Let it go in one ear and out the other."

"Easier said than done."

"I know, but try."

"I'll try," she promised as he made the turn down her mother's street.

She was silent as they neared the house and when he came to a stop, she unbuckled her seatbelt without much thought. "Are you going to be okay?" Jim asked.

"Yeah," she smiled. "It's just dinner…same people, same issues, just a different day."

He gave a quiet laugh and cupped her chin, pulling her closer to kiss her. "It'll be fine."

"That's what you keep telling me."

"Am I ever wrong?"

Johanna's brow arched. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

"No; probably not; but pretend I'm on a streak of rightness and maybe we'll be lucky."

"I can do that," she laughed. "Good luck with your meeting."

"Do you need me to pick you up? I should be done by 8:30 at the latest."

"No; Mom will make Dad drive me home. He grumbles but he knows she'll lecture him all night and he doesn't want that."

"I don't think any man would."

"Then you all better toe the line," she quipped with a wink.

Jim kissed her once more. "You better get in there; I'm pretty sure I just saw your mother at the window."

Johanna nodded and stole one last quick kiss. "I'll see you in the morning. I love you."

"I love you too," he told her. "Call if you need me."

"I will," she said as she got out of the car and took a deep breath. Hopefully this would be over quickly and painlessly.

Johanna's arrival was greeted with the usual small talk with her mother and little input from her father although she had expected to be rebuked by Frank for being late. So far he had been silent on that topic and as they had sat down to dinner, he had been silent on the topic of her engagement as well. She was feeling a little relieved about that; figuring that her father must still be tired from his travels as he was being quieter than usual as they dug into the roast and potatoes that Naomi had made for dinner.

Halfway through the meal, her gaze flicked toward her father, feeling his eyes upon her. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"No," Frank replied as he continued to study her.

"Are you sure? You're staring at me."

"Do have a problem with me looking at you?" he snapped.

"Not unless I can feel your eyes boring into me for more than a few minutes," Johanna replied.

"You make it sound nefarious," he retorted. "Did you ever think that maybe sometimes I just like to look at my children and think about how they've grown?"

She sighed. "No, I didn't think that; you never seemed to be the sentimental type."

"Who said anything about being sentimental?" Frank exclaimed; as if the idea was something he couldn't bear to have attached to his name.

"Well that's what it would be," she remarked; "If you're thinking about the childhood of your children and how they've grown; you're being sentimental."

"What if I'm just asking myself where I went wrong?" he asked.

Johanna smiled. "Then I guess you'd be thinking about me, wouldn't you?"

Frank smirked. "Or your sister; don't be conceited and think it's all about you."

"I'm always happy to share your spotlight with Colleen, Dad."

"That's enough," Naomi said as she picked up her glass to take a drink. "Let's not have any bickering; we were having a nice dinner."

"She started it," Frank stated.

"And I'm ending it," his wife said sharply.

Frank's gaze flicked back to Johanna. "So; you're engaged?" he said.

She nodded. "Yeah, I am."

"When did that happen?"

"Friday night," she answered.

"Where did it take place?" her father questioned.

Johanna's brow furrowed. "What does it matter?"

He glanced at her. "Well I'd hate to hear that it was done in a bar room…you seem to spend plenty of time in bars."

"I do not!"

"I don't know about that," Frank said; "Just last week, Hank Detrick was in my office telling me 'I saw your oldest girl at the bar last night; she was drinking with some man.' What do you have to say to that?"

"What I have to say is quite simple," Johanna remarked. "I was in a bar last week; I was with my fiancé. We stopped in there after a movie to have a drink and hear the band. We each had a beer and after that we each had a soda and ordered a sandwich from the menu while we listened to the show. When the band was through with their set, we went home. I don't lay in bars all the time like you seem to want to insinuate. We do go out for drinks once in awhile…just like you do; but it isn't every night of the week and you can tell Hank Detrick to mind his own business, because your 'oldest girl' is a grown woman and doesn't need her father's permission to go out on a date and have a drink."

"I'm not telling Hank anything," Frank retorted. "You still haven't said where this proposal took place."

"It took place in a park near Jim's apartment. We went for a walk while it was snowing and he proposed."

"That sounds very romantic," Naomi said warmly.

"It was," Johanna smiled.

"Seems stupid to me," her father said. "A park at night in the snow; you're lucky you weren't mugged or didn't catch pneumonia."

She rolled her eyes. "Only you would want to take a beautiful moment and call it stupid."

"I call it as I see it."

"Are you still cranky from your trip?" Johanna asked.

"No," he snapped.

"Seems like it to me."

"Well nobody asked you!"

Naomi gave her another smile. "Just overlook him, dear."

"I try," she muttered.

"Did you even think about it before you said yes?" Frank asked.

"Dad, I've been thinking about it for a long time; yes was the only answer I could give. I love him and I want to be his wife more than anything in this world."

He scoffed. "You're in a love haze right now…how are you going to feel a few months down the road?"

"Exactly the same way I do now," she replied. "I've been in love with him for a long time; it's not going to change. I didn't need to think about it; I know I made the right choice by saying yes. He's the one for me."

Frank muttered something under his breath that she couldn't distinguish but he said nothing else on the matter and she thought maybe that would the end of it…or at least she hoped so.

"That's a beautiful ring," her mother said as the sparkle of Johanna's emerald cut diamond solitaire engagement ring caught her eye as they washed the dishes.

Johanna smiled as she glanced at it; nearly one week later and she was still giddy. Happy, didn't even begin to describe the way she had been feeling ever since Jim had slipped that ring onto her finger.

"It is, isn't it?" she replied.

"Come over here and let me see it," her father demanded from his place at the table, where he sat drinking his coffee as they cleaned up after dinner.

She hesitated, as she always did whenever her father ordered her to do something, and she took a second to steel herself before she laid aside the dishtowel and moved back to the table, taking a seat across from him and extending her left hand towards him so he could examine her ring; figuring that she had been wrong in her earlier assumption that he wouldn't say anything more about her engagement. It figured.

He put his glasses on, picked up her hand and held it up to his eye level and examined the stone from different angles and then assessed the gold band that it was set in.

"That must've cost him a pretty penny," he commented as he let go over her hand.

"She's worth it," Naomi stated.

As she looked at her father, who was still staring at her ring as her hand rested on the table, she couldn't help but feel that he disagreed. She moved to rejoin her mother but his gaze flicked back to her face.

"Sit down; I'm not done with you yet."

She dropped back into her chair, a feeling of dread in her stomach as she looked him in the eye; she should've known that the evening had gone too smoothly; that she wouldn't be left off the hook so easily.

"What do I know about this man?" Frank asked.

She sighed. "Dad, I've told you about Jim. I've known him for over three years, we work together, we've been friends, and we started dating six months ago."

"That doesn't tell me what kind of person he is," he remarked; his tone gruff and firm as it usually was whenever they had to speak of anything important to her.

"He's a good man," she answered. "He's kind, respectful, caring, and honest; he's a hard worker, he's good at his job, he's responsible. He's good to me, he makes me happy, he loves me…I love him."

"Then why haven't you brought him around?" Frank demanded to know. "Are you ashamed of your family?"

"Of course not!" she exclaimed.

Her father gave her a hard look. "You damn well better not be, because if you're sitting there in your fancy clothes thinking you're above us let me assure you that you are sadly mistaken."

"I would never think that!" she replied; her defenses rising. "As for my clothes, I have to dress nicely for work. I can't go into a courtroom looking unprofessional."

"You can look professional without looking fancy," he declared waving a hand at her green silk blouse and her black fitted blazer that matched her skirt. "You probably paid more for that outfit then I've paid for half of your mother's wardrobe."

"It's my money, Dad; I work for it and what I spend it on is my business. I know how you hate to see money being spent on things that you consider to be frivolous but as long as it isn't yours don't worry about it. I would've changed clothes before coming over but I was running late."

"You're always running late," he accused. "You were even born late."

"I'm sorry," she answered.

"You still haven't answered my question."

"What question?"

"Why haven't you brought this boy around?"

She couldn't control the urge to roll her eyes. "First of all he's not a boy, he's a man; secondly I haven't brought him around because the opportunity hasn't presented itself and because you haven't asked me to. I'm not going to show up with him unannounced."

"Excuses, Johanna; it's always excuses with you."

"Leave her alone, Frank," Naomi interrupted. "I've met Jim; he's a nice young man."

"When have you met him?" he demanded to know.

"I've met him a few times when I was at Johanna's apartment."

Frank turned his cold gaze towards his daughter. "Is he living with you?!"

"No!" she responded; it was true, Jim wasn't living with her…it was more like they were living with each other on the weekends but if her father knew that he'd blow up for sure.

"You know in my day when a man wanted to marry a woman, he went and asked her father for her hand," he stated firmly as he eyed the diamond resting on her finger.

"That's old fashioned," she said.

"No, it's respectful!"

Johanna sighed. "The father isn't the one who has to marry the man, so really it shouldn't matter what he thinks."

Frank glared at her. "And that, Johanna; is just one more example of your stupidity."

It hurt but she was used to it. "He didn't ask your permission because he doesn't know you."

"Whose fault is that?" he asked tartly.

"Mine!" she shouted in frustration.

"Don't you raise your voice to me, young lady," Frank said in that low threatening tone that always struck fear into her heart as a child, and it still did scare her at times. She still remembered when she was 15 and had ran her mouth too much and gotten the back of his hand across her face for her trouble.

"I'm sorry," she muttered; although she wasn't.

"Don't lie to me," he retorted. "You're never sorry."

"Oh, believe me," Johanna replied, "There are times when I am." Which was true, she thought to herself, for instance she was sorry she had accepted this invitation to dinner.

"You bring him over here," Frank said as he pointed a finger at her.

"I will."

"Next Sunday," he demanded.

"I'll see if he can make it."

"Sunday, Johanna!"

She nodded as her stomach twisted into knots. "We'll be here."

"You better be," he replied. "No one wants to see you married off more than I do but I'll be damned if I let you run off and do it without me checking this guy over. I'm not going to trust your judgment, you don't…"

"Have the sense god gave a goose," she said in unison with him.

"Well it's the truth," he bellowed.

"Now, Frank," Naomi interjected, "How can you say that? She's a lawyer; she's done well for herself."

"She has book smarts," Frank stated. "But she lacks common sense."

"She does not," Naomi countered as she ran a hand over Johanna's hair before taking a seat next to her.

"I guess that's why she broke her arm falling out of a tree," he remarked.

"I was five, Dad!" she exclaimed in frustration. "And I didn't fall; Frankie pushed me off the limb."

"You shouldn't have been up there in the first place!" he yelled back. "Little girls aren't supposed to climb trees, that's what boys do, you got what you deserved, only I'm the one who had to pay for it in the form of doctor bills!"

"Well I'm the one who's been afraid of heights ever since," she remarked tartly, "And personally I think Frankie should've gotten what he deserved for pushing me in the first place but you didn't say a word to him. As for the doctor bills, tell me how much it cost, I'm sure you probably remember, and I'll write you out a check and reimburse you for it. I wouldn't want it to be said that you had to pay for my stupidity."

Her father glared at her and she matched his stare as she stewed in anger and hurt.

"I don't want your money; I want you to exhibit some ability of having common sense for once in your life."

Johanna nodded. "I'll do that now," she said as she rose from her chair. "I'm leaving."

Frank scoffed. "Go ahead, Johanna; run away like you always do. Things get hard or little Johanna doesn't get her way she just up and runs, that's how it's always been. You were always the runaway."

"It's a shame I didn't keep on going," Johanna retorted; recalling her ill-fated attempt to run away from home when she was 12.

"Don't say that, Johanna," her mother said as she tried to quell the rising tensions. "Come sit back down and let's talk about something else. Frank, you leave her alone."

"God help the man that's decided to take her on for the rest of his life," Frank stated. "He probably has no idea what he's getting into."

She was almost to the door, ready to make her escape, but something bubbled up within her and she turned back towards her father.

"You know what the best thing about Jim is?" she asked. "He's nothing like you."

For once it seemed as though she had struck back with the right blow as Frank seemed to lose his composure for a moment and was at a loss for words.

"Why do you hate me?" she asked him. "What did I ever do to you besides being born?"

His eyes narrowed and his face hardened and he was up out of his chair and coming towards her before she could even blink. Naomi was trying to outrun him and put herself between them but she couldn't match Frank's stride and he was in Johanna's face before she even made it halfway across the room.

"Hate you!" he bellowed. "If I hated you I would've made your mother leave you on someone's doorstep, I wouldn't have fed and clothed you! I wouldn't have put you through law school! How dare you make that accusation!" he yelled as he poked her shoulder sharply with each statement.

"It's how you make me feel," she answered; the boldness she had felt slipping away.

"You and your damn feelings!" he berated. "You're nothing but an ungrateful selfish brat and you always have been! You are the worst of my children; sometimes I don't even know how it's possible that you're my blood!"

"Stop it, both of you," Naomi demanded as she pushed against Frank's shoulder forcing him out of Johanna's space.

She bit her lip, forcing herself not show any emotion and she turned towards her mother and kissed her cheek. "I'm going home," she told her.

"Call and let me know you got there safely," Naomi stated as she wrapped her arms around her in a brief embrace, no longer bothering to ask her to stay.

"I'll be fine, don't worry about it."

"You do as your mother says and call her. I won't have her up all night worrying about you," Frank said tersely.

"Fine," Johanna replied as she opened the door.

"And you be here Sunday with your fiancé," he ordered.

She looked over her shoulder at him, an ounce of defiance left in her. "Don't bet on it, I wouldn't come now if you begged me to," she said before slamming the door shut.

Jim awoke with a start as he heard the door of his apartment opening and closing. He glanced toward the clock and saw that it was nearly one as he heard the sound of keys being laid down as quietly as possible. "Johanna," he thought to himself. He had grown accustomed to her slipping into his apartment late at night. Something usually always jolted him awake when she entered the apartment, it was as if he sensed her presence in the atmosphere and instantly went on alert. He listened as she moved around quietly and he could imagine her toeing off her shoes and setting them under the coffee table so they'd be out of the way. She'd set her purse and briefcase on the couch so that she wouldn't have to feel around in the dark closet and then she'd move quietly across the room and toward the hallway.

He could hear her coming now, her footfalls soft on the hallway carpeting. He feigned sleep as his visitor crossed the threshold and he only opened his eyes once she was standing in front of the dresser with her back to him. Jim watched as Johanna quietly pulled open the drawer and took out her nightgown and then softly closed it. She shed her jeans and sweater and quietly tossed them onto the chair before she pulled on her nightgown. He hurriedly shut his eyes before she turned around. He was used to her late night visits but he wished she wouldn't come out so late at night by herself. She knew he hated that. She knew it wasn't safe. Johanna carefully settled into her side of the bed and pulled the covers up over her. Now it was time to let her know that she was busted.

"What are you doing out so late, Jo?" he quietly demanded to know.

Johanna flinched at the sound of his voice. She had thought that she had gone undetected this time but apparently she was wrong, she mused. "I missed you," she murmured, hoping to stave off a lecture or argument.

"You should've called. I would've come to you."

"What's the difference?"

"The difference is I don't like you being out this late at night, Johanna; and you know that."

"I'm fine, Jim; I'm a big girl."

"It's not safe," he admonished.

She blew out a breath. "Don't lecture me," she retorted and he didn't miss the edge in her voice. "Or I can go back out in the dark and go home; would that make you feel better?"

"No, it wouldn't make me feel better. Didn't I just get done telling you that it's too late for you to be out running around by yourself?"

"Believe me; I'm starting to wish that I hadn't come. It won't happen again."

"That's what you said the last time."

Johanna closed her eyes as she kept her back to him. She was starting to wish that she had kept that promise; it seemed like Jim was in a lecturing mood and she had already had a long evening. She sighed; she knew this lecture chapter song and verse. "I won't do it anymore."

"If you want to spend the night, why don't you just come over at a decent hour?" Jim went on.

"I don't know, Jim," she breathed; "Maybe I just live to torment you at one in the morning, did you ever think of that?"

Sarcasm, Jim thought to himself; he better drop the lecture and start treading more carefully. After all, the last time this discussion had taken a turn down this road he had woken up in the morning and found her gone; later discovering that she had waited until he was in a deep sleep and then snuck back out. He turned onto his side and slid closer to her, dropping his arm across her waist. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" he asked, softening his tone.

"Nothing," she whispered.

"Must be something," he replied, pressing a kiss to the back of her head so she'd know that he wasn't angry with her.

"I just wanted to be with you."

She might want to be with him but he had a feeling there was more to it than that. He went over things in his mind, he had seen her after work, they had discussed their days as he drove her to mother's. Oh…dinner with her parents, something must've gone wrong.

"Did something happen at dinner?" he asked.

Johanna released a heavy breath and he tightened his hold on her. "My father and I had words."

"I'm sorry," Jim murmured. "What was it this time?"

"Mostly the usual things."

"Mostly?"

She sighed. "My father wants to meet you…."

That explained her mood, he thought. He should've known. "I'm going to have to meet him sooner or later anyway, Jo."

"Well I was hoping to put it off for awhile longer."

"How much longer?"

"I don't know…I mean we discussed this when we got engaged; I said if you didn't go with me for Christmas, then I wanted to wait until after the holidays; you said you were fine with that."

"I am…but also remember that I said I'd rather not meet him five minutes before the wedding."

"It still seems like a good time to me," she muttered, only half joking.

"Jo…"

"Look at me," he murmured, his hand curling around her hip, urging her to turn.

Johanna rolled over, her eyes meeting his. "It'll be okay," Jim told her as he laid his arm across her waist once more. "I'm not afraid of your father. I can handle him."

She remained quiet; she was sure he could handle him but that wasn't really concerned her. It was more about how Frank might purposely use Jim to get at her. He might be harsh and cruel to him for the simple fact that she loved him and she hated the thought of it. She also hated the thought that he might say things to Jim about her that were exaggerated or that would highlight her flaws and give him doubts about marrying her. She couldn't bear that.

"Tell me what kind of doom and gloom your brain is conjuring up so I can chase it away," he said as he brushed back a lock of hair back from her face.

She closed her eyes for a moment; it felt silly to say it out loud…but she knew he wouldn't think less of her for it. Her eyes flicked open and met his once again. "He might make you rethink your decision," she said softly.

His hand moved to cradle her face; his thumb rubbing against her cheek soothingly. "Johanna, there's nothing your father can say or do to make me change my mind about marrying you."

"He's probably going to list all of my faults for you."

"And I'll refute them all," Jim stated firmly.

She shifted and cuddled against him. "He wants us there Sunday for dinner."

"We'll go and get it over with."

"I didn't commit to it," she remarked. "I told him we'll see."

He was picking up a vibe that something deeper had gone down…something more than just the command to meet the man she was going to marry. "What did the two of you fight about?"

She took a breath and then told him about her evening and the argument that had erupted between her and her father. When she finished she was in tears. "Sometimes I…" she whispered but then trailed off, not wanting to say the words that she had felt.

"Sometimes you what?"

"Sometimes I feel like I hate him."

"I can't say that I blame you," he replied. "I'd probably hate him all the time if I was in your shoes."

"But he's my father," she cried; her tears seeping through his shirt as she gave in to the emotions that had been plaguing her all evening and had driven her to the comfort of Jim's bed. "I shouldn't feel that way…not even some of the time…but I do because he makes me and I tell myself over and over that I accept it and I know it's never going to change but sometimes…" she trailed off as a sob overtook her voice.

"It's not your fault, Johanna," Jim said with quiet conviction as he rubbed her back. "You're his daughter and he should treat you with love and respect. If you feel that way about him sometimes, it's not because of you; it's because of what he's done. The blame lies with him."

"I just don't know why he doesn't love me, I try to figure it out sometimes but I never can," she said so softly and anguished that it broke his heart.

He held her tighter, wishing he could make every hurt she had go away; wishing that he could make Frank McKenzie behave like the father she deserved. "I'm sure that somewhere inside he does love you," he murmured. "I don't know why he doesn't like to show it or why he enjoys hurting you so much. Showing him that he succeeds in hurting you only lets him think that he's winning. Don't let him win, Jo. Don't let him twist you into knots and make you miserable. He might be your father but he isn't worth it."

"I try not to show it all the time," she replied. "Sometimes I do good…sometimes I come out unscathed."

"I know," he whispered.

"I don't know why tonight had to be different…"

"Because he treaded into an area where you don't want him," Jim remarked. "He issued questions about us and then a demand…and you've gotten comfortable with your ability to keep us from meeting."

She stiffened slightly. "You say that like I make it a daily conscious effort."

He continued to rub her back. "That's not what I meant…I just think that in some ways you have been doing your best to keep this moment from coming. I'm not trying to start an argument and we don't need to go digging into the can of worms…but sweetheart, we're getting married and your father and I are going to have to know each other…or holidays are going to very awkward."

A soft laugh crossed her lips as he had hoped it would. "I know," she whispered. "I just…I…"

"I know," he said, sparing her the search for words to describe the jumble of feelings inside of her. "It's going to be okay. We'll go and get it over with…and no matter what happens; it doesn't change anything between us. Remember when you said that it didn't matter if my mother liked you? That all that mattered was if I liked you?"

"Yeah."

"It doesn't matter if your father likes me or not…all that matters is if you like me."

Johanna smiled at him. "I love you."

"I love you too," Jim replied before pressing a kiss to her lips and wiping away the tracks of her tears. "Everything's going to be fine, don't worry."

"Easier said than done," she answered.

"Try," he told her, a small smile clinging to his lips as he held her gaze. "Try to get some sleep too; we have to work in the morning…we can't have you falling asleep at your desk."

She snuggled against him, feeling sleepiness washing over her. "That only happened once and Sharon woke me up before my client got there…it was all your fault anyway."

"You're the one who said you had insomnia…I just exhausted you so you'd be able to sleep. I was being helpful," he quipped.

She could imagine the satisfied grin on his lips without even looking. "You're so very proud of yourself."

"What's not to be proud of?" he asked as he yawned.

"Go to sleep, honey; or we'll both be asleep at work tomorrow."

"At least it's Friday," he murmured; "I'll be going home with you."

"I'm glad," Johanna whispered as she brushed a kiss against his chest. "I can't wait to go home with you every day."

"Me neither; you sleep now, sweetheart. Things will look better tomorrow."

She breathed deeply and exhaled slowly as she listened to his heartbeat; she hoped it would alright…and she still wasn't sure if she should give in to Frank's demand or not.