Chapter Twelve (by Mary)
The door opened and the board members filed in, followed closely by Kendall, Greenlee and Ryan. Jack finished straightening his tie and shuffled the papers in front of him, struggling to remember what the hell it was he was supposed to say. He knew that even glancing at Erica was not an option at this point. It would be a miracle if he could manage to gather his thoughts at all after the last 30 minutes. Erica, however, didn't seem to be having the same problem as she leaned over and re-attached his tie pin with a little smile. Kendall sat down across from them, taking in the scene with a pleased grin.
"What's making you look like the Cheshire cat?" Greenlee asked snidely. She followed Kendall's gaze across the table, taking in her father's heightened color and slightly disheveled hair. Her eyes moved to Erica, noting her less than immaculate appearance and distinct lack of lipstick.
"Oh, God," she sighed in resignation. "I knew it was too good to be true."
Kendall reached down and picked an object up off the floor. "You must have dropped this," she said slyly to Erica, handing her the earring.
Erica blushed. "Oh, thank you, honey," she said, taking it and quickly replacing it in her ear.
Jack cleared his throat and the room fell silent. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice," he began, still taking care not to look in Erica's direction. "As you're aware, the past few months at Cambias have not been our most profitable. I know that you're all concerned about our stock performance, as well as our profit shortfalls." He paused for a moment as Ryan shifted uncomfortably.
Skimming over some of the details, Jack went on to address the discrepancies surrounding the building upgrades and his subsequent investigation. He knew that it was only a matter of time before there would be questions about Mariele's and Andrews's involvement in the project but for now he focused on the details of the felonious computer software program that had diverted funds and restructured company stocks.
"All of this came to an end when Zach Slater–Alexander Cambias Jr. –was arrested at Philadelphia International Airport at approximately 5:00 p.m. this afternoon," Jack finished, finally shooting a look at Erica and noting her satisfied expression. "An in-depth report on the charges against him should be available tomorrow morning."
Jack expertly fielded a few questions from the stockholders before he continued. "In the course of our investigation, it was brought to my attention that several years ago, Cambias Industries was involved with a state-of-the-art irrigation system in Sweden, one that was supposed to revitalize the neighboring town and its fishing industry. Unfortunately, it appears that the irrigation system ended up being used for less than scrupulous purposes and was ultimately destroyed. As a result, the town suffered a great financial loss. With that in mind, I've requested information about the feasibility of developing an on-going water purification project in that region so that the irrigation system can be rebuilt and used as the developer and his family originally intended."
Hearing a familiar snicker to his right, Jack finally allowed himself to make eye contact with Erica. He raised an eyebrow at her, smiling with inner amusement when she developed a sudden interest in the report in front of her. "A preliminary study leads me to believe that the best way to accomplish this is to put off the acquisition of the Georgia textile mills and redistribute the funds intended for that proposal into the water purification project." He paused to let all of this sink in. "In closing, I'd like to thank all of you for your patience and your support. A full report with all of the details will be on your desks tomorrow."
There were a few murmurings as the board members left the room, but for the most part, Jack thought it had gone pretty well. When the door shut behind the last of the board members, Ryan came over to him and extended his hand.
"Thanks, Jack, for… well…you know," he said, visibly relieved. "I promise I'm going to give this thing 100 from now on."
"Good," Jack replied. "That's what I wanted to hear."
"I'm gonna get on this redistribution thing right away," Ryan quickly left the room and Greenlee walked over to Jack as he was shoving reports back into his briefcase.
"So, I guess you and Erica were never really broken up," she stated. "You sure had me fooled."
Overhearing the conversation, Erica hung up her cell phone and slipped her arm through Jack's. "Sorry to disappoint you," she said to Greenlee, "but I'm feeling magnanimous enough to not rub your nose in it right now. In fact, you and Kendall are both invited to the loft for dinner." Erica put her arm around Kendall's shoulders. "I just spoke with Bianca and she and Miranda are on their way there now and Reggie and Lily are picking up the Chinese food."
Jack snapped his briefcase shut. "We have a lot to celebrate," he said, smiling at the three of them. "I suggest we get going."
———
The noise level in the loft was at a fever pitch and Erica glanced at Lily to see how she was handling all of the commotion. She seemed perfectly fine and Erica marveled at how much progress she had made since coming home. Reggie and Greenlee were still arguing over the finer points of Asian cuisine, Kendall had turned up the volume on the stereo and Miranda had decided to join in the fun with a full-pitched wail.
Erica smiled as Jack came over to her and took her hand. "Happy?" he asked, holding up her hand so that her ring sparkled in the light.
"Deliriously," she replied, reaching up to touch his face.
Bianca walked over carrying Miranda. "Uncle Jack, I want to thank you for everything," she said. "I never dreamed when I asked you to take over at Cambias that anything like this could possibly have been going on."
"You don't have to thank me, kiddo," Jack said. "I was happy to do it–for you and for Miranda."
"Does that mean that you'll consider staying on as CEO?" Bianca asked.
Erica and Jack exchanged a quick look before Jack replied, "I'm going to have to think about that one. Certainly for the foreseeable future to make sure everything goes smoothly."
"He's going to need a little time off, though, in about a month or so," Erica paused. "for the honeymoon." The room fell silent and then everyone started talking at once.
"OK, OK, quiet, everyone," Jack shouted over the noise. Lily, Reggie and Greenlee came over, Kendall turned off the music and even Miranda fell silent.
"As some of you have already figured out, Erica and I are still very much together," Jack said. "In fact, two nights ago, I asked her to be my wife and she made me the happiest man in the world–once again–by saying yes."
Bianca handed Miranda to Kendall and hugged her mother. "Oh, Mom, I'm so happy," she said tearfully. "I'm sorry for what I said that day in your office."
"There's nothing to be sorry about," Erica said. "I asked you to have faith in me and you said that you would. That meant the world to me."
Bianca hugged Jack, as Erica turned to her other daughter. "I can't thank you enough for everything you did, Kendall."
"Well, you know me, I'm a sucker for true love," Kendall said somewhat wistfully.
"Yes, I do know," Erica replied. "And you're going to find it yourself one day." She smiled at Kendall, thinking once again how much they were alike.
Reggie came over and high-fived Jack. "I knew it, man. So, where are we going to live?"
"Good question," Jack answered. "I guess we'll have to discuss that."
Lily smiled shyly at her father and Erica. "Congratulations," she said carefully. "That's what people say when someone gets engaged."
"Yes, it is, sweetheart," Jack said. "Thank you." He touched Lily's arm carefully and she didn't pull away.
Greenlee approached her father and Erica. "If you're happy, Dad, then I'm happy for you." She hugged Jack and turned to Erica. "I meant what I said that day in your office though."
"I know you did," Erica replied. "You have nothing to worry about. I realize how lucky I am." As Greenlee turned away, Erica added. "Oh, I meant to tell you, the new ideas for 'Ocean Spirit' look great. Let's get together tomorrow to finalize it."
"Okay…sure," Greenlee seemed at a loss for words.
Jack put his arm around Erica and drew her close. "I know there was some discussion a while ago about a family honeymoon," he began, "but I just want to say–"
"That we're uninvited?" Kendall finished for him, laughing when she could see that she had guessed right. "You two deserve some time alone. We understand, don't we?" She looked around for confirmation.
"Yeah, man, you guys don't need us hanging around," Reggie said. "It's cool. We'll all hang out together while you're gone."
"I don't think I want to go to Europe anyway," Lily announced. "It's very far away and I'd have to get on a plane."
"I promise there will be a family trip–maybe for Christmas," said Jack. "But the honeymoon is just going to be me and my lovely bride." He bent down to kiss the top of Erica's head, lingering for a moment to inhale the scent of her hair.
"Are you still going to France?" asked Bianca.
"Paris is a definite stop," said Erica. "Our first one, I think." She exchanged a teasing look with Jack "although we'll probably visit a few other cities."
"Erica, if you're getting married in a month, won't there be a lot to do?" Lily asked. "I read that weddings take a lot of planning."
"Yes, they do, and I'm going to need help from all of you," said Erica, looking at the four girls. "And Jack will definitely need your help, Reggie."
"We can use my planner," Lily offered quickly, rushing across the room to get it.
Erica laughed. "Thank you, Lily," she said. She looked at her family gathered in front of her and smiled up at Jack. "It's going to be the most spectacular wedding this town has ever seen."
———
What a day, Jack thought wearily, dumping the last of the Chinese food containers in the trash and checking to make sure the door was locked. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was close to midnight. Greenlee, Kendall, and Bianca had finally left a half hour ago with Miranda sound asleep in her car seat and Reggie and Lily had immediately headed to their rooms to crash for the night. Even Erica had been struggling to suppress a yawn and he had sent her to get ready for bed so he could finish cleaning up.
Giving a last look around, he headed to the bedroom. The thought that Erica was there where she belonged, not across town at the penthouse, filled him with a sense of well-being. That feeling intensified when he opened the door and saw her sitting on the bed clad in one of his shirts, colorful travel brochures scattered all around her.
She looked up when she heard him come in. "I hope you don't mind," she said coyly. "My clothes are still at the penthouse."
"Well, that all depends on whether you're wearing anything other than the shirt," he said seductively, approaching the bed.
Erica swept the brochures onto the nightstand. "I think you should find out for yourself," she said, pulling him down beside her.
Jack looked into her sparkling dark eyes and smiled. "Let's see," he began, slowly sliding the shirt off one shoulder. "Nothing so far." He bent his head and kissed her bare shoulder, leaving a heated trail as his lips moved lower. He unbuttoned the top button of the shirt and she sighed, drawing him back against the pillows with her. The sudden jarring ring of the phone startled them both.
"Jack…no," Erica pouted when he reached over her to grab the phone.
"Hello?" Jack heard nothing but static, then a broken stream of words that sounded like Italian. "Hello?" he repeated.
"Jack, my friend, I am so glad I reached you," Dino's voice finally came through the phone.
"Dino? What the hell? Do you realize what time it is here?" Jack struggled to concentrate as Erica's lips moved along his jaw up to his ear. When she started to unbutton his shirt, he moved resolutely away from her and sat on the edge of the bed. He heard Erica sigh in frustration as she got up and headed toward the bathroom.
"Jack, I would not bother you if it was not important," Dino said. "Your package, it did not arrive."
"What are you talking about?" Jack asked tiredly, rubbing his forehead.
"Mariele," Dino explained. "She was not on the plane."
"Of course she was, Dino," Jack said. "Erica put her on it herself." He watched Erica come out of the bathroom and give him a questioning look as she brushed her hair.
"Jack, I am telling you, Beppe and I waited and waited. No one matching her description got off of that plane." He waited for Jack's response. "Jack? Jack? Are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm here," Jack replied.
"What do you want us to do?" Dino asked.
"Nothing right now," Jack said. "Just sit tight. I'll get back to you tomorrow." He hung up the phone slowly.
"Jack–what is it?" Erica was staring at him from across the room. "What now?"
Jack got up and crossed the room. Reaching her side, he picked her up and twirled her around in one smooth movement. "Sweetheart," he said, staring down at her. "What would you say about Paris being our second honeymoon stop? I've heard that Italy is beautiful this time of year."