"Hey Kat," Jake greeted her, smiling. Kat thought his teeth looked even whiter then before, "I have to ask you something," He explained frowning
She nodding, taking a cup.
"You were like three people in front of me," He explained, "And there was a little boy, who called you Mama," He frowned, "I distinctly remember that, but when I asked Cameron if you had a kid, he said no,"
"Must have been someone else," Kat said softly
"Are you sure?" He asked, "I'm a sucker for single moms, so that's why I sat next to you. Plus that kid was cute," He smiled
"Yeah," She laughed, "Dark hair, three, five, brown eyes?" She couldn't help beaming.
"Yes," Jake said, "The father called him La-Queen, isn't that a weird name?"
"Joaquin, WA-keen. Sam named him after-" Kat clamped a hand over her mouth and Jake smiled triumphly
"I knew it!" He said, "So why keeping it a secret?"
"Talk to my father about teenage girls for three seconds and you'll find out," Kat said, sighing, "Jake, please don't spoil Bianca and Cameron's wedding. I'll tell them, soon," She begged
"Fine," Jake sighed and sipped his drink, "How old is he?" He asked, to make conversation.
"Four, he's turning five in two weeks," Kat said softly, "Sam and I are having a party for him at Central Park. He loves picnics, Sam loves scoping men out, and I love potato salad, so it's a win-win-win situation," Kat said cheerfully
"You know, I make a mean hamburger," Jake said casually, "And I live close to the park," He inspected his nails closely
She laughed, "Jake, will you come to the party?"
"I don't know," He said in a sighing tone, "I might have a hot date or two," He shrugged, "So is this a single women's wedding, single men's wedding, or a wedding where everyone's paired off?" He asked, looking around
"Well, because I'm the older sister," Kat rolled her eyes, "Bianca was kind enough to invite over fifty single men for me, not to include the men my cousins brought along as my prospective boyfriend,"
"Well, I'll want the first dance," Jake warned her, "I am going to be your brother in law, after all,"
She laughed, "I'm used to a taller partner, but that's fine by me,"
"Jake!" Cameron yelled, "Mom's here!"
"Mum?" Jake looked up and grinned, at seeing this elderly lady with a smart black pantsuit and scarf, along with an ornate brooch that screamed tacky. Still, she seemed put together and in love with her two boys. The man next to her looked a little fierce and out of place in his army uniform.
"Go ahead," Kat said, "I need to greet some friends, after all," She saw Mandella and went after her, while Jake headed toward the other direction.
Mandella was in an elegant dark purple dress with a turquoise cloak and sporting a healthy glow. Kat's hand went immediately to Mandella's stomach, wanting to make sure that her best friend really was having a baby. Mandella and Jake were probably the only two that knew about Joaquin at the wedding.
"Hello Kat," Mandella said, smiling, "How is Sam and the others?" She asked, meaning Joaquin.
"Sam's fine, and the others are a little fussier," Kat said, "There's a birthday coming up and the Dragon Warrior Lego set is sold out," She made a pained face
"Send my wishes to the birthday boy and our present should come soon," Mandella said serenely, "As for me and my William, we are expecting a little girl,"
"Sam wanted a girl," Kat said, smiling, "Diana Anne, but the mother wanted Sylvia Charlotte,"
"What about Portia Kate?" Mandella asked, smiling, "Portia after William's heroine in Merchant of Venice and Kate from-"
"Taming of the Shrew," Kat said, sighing, "But Kate is just another example of just how 'great' men are! She's broken by that stupid Petruchio to obey him completely! No woman should have to go through that!"
"Kat," Mandella sighed, "I'm only on my second trimester and the baby likes to kick, if you get my drift. When I give birth, then we'll argue about this!" She rolled her eyes, "Now, do you know where I can find me some water?"
"I'll get it," Kat said, "Where's the father, anyway?" She asked, frowning
"William had to go out of town this weekend, unfortunately," Mandella sighed, "Tis a shame, but Cameron found other groomsmen to take his place,"
Kat nodded, "I'll be right back, and you really should be sitting," She warned, "I nearly lost-I mean, my friend nearly lost her baby because she was standing!"
Mandella nodded and sat, a little unhappy, but complied. Kat came back with water. In a matter of seconds, Bianca found her and dragged her away to introduce her to some men.
First up was Dennis Lieberman.
"Kat is it? Like Kit-Kat, right?"
Strike one.
Next was Rod Bates
"So, you like books? My favorite is Playboy, heh heh,"
Strike two.
Trace Atwood came up to bat, and Kat thought he looked decent, that is until,
"I like to wear thongs sometimes. Don't you ever want to wear a jockstrap?"
Strike three.
"Bianca, I have to sit down," Kat said, stopping her sister from another man, "Mandella looks lonely,"
"Fine, but can you tell Daddy to give his toast at a quarter to six and then Cameron and I will give ours," Bianca explained, "Sit wherever," She shrugged and spotted some more friends coming over to greet them. Kat nodded and looked around for her father.
He was in the corner talking to three men. One was Cameron, Kat knew, but the other two she wasn't sure about. The older man, she remembered perfectly when he turned and spotted her.
"Uncle Martin!" Kat couldn't help yelling. He was her absolute favorite uncle after all and hardly came around. He seemed a bit older.
"Oh my gods, Kitten!" Martin chortled, "Oh, you are three feet taller, my god," He kissed her on the cheek, "You're a beautiful lady. Now, you've been using your pepper spray like your Uncle Martin taught you?" He asked, frowning,
"There are strange men up to god knows what in New York, sweetheart," He had more wrinkles, but his shock of brown hair was still there entirely and his eyes danced even more so.
"Yes," Kat laughed, "Thank you for the extra mace over Christmas,"
"And the chocolate," He reminded her, "Gladys made fudge and sent it to god knows where all over the godsforsaken country and we didn't get a single goddamned thank you!" He whapped his hands together and Kat couldn't help laughing. Her Uncle Martin was a bit stuck on god.
"I didn't get any fudge," Kat said, "Just the mace and a book on self defense," She said softly
"Must be that godforsaken postman," He mumbled, "I'm going to talk to Gladys and get to the bottom of this. Walter, this boy seems like a good lad," Martin patted Cameron's shoulder, "Did Milton and Dan get a look at him?"
"No," Walter said, "I don't trust their opinion,"
"Ye gods!" Martin sighed, "Kat, if Bianca were two little boys who stole your dolls-"
"Action figures," Walter corrected
"Gods Walt, you were ten!" Martin said, "Milt was five and Dan seven!" He waved him away
"Never mind, never mind," Walter said, annoyed, "Cameron, come with me and meet Milton and Dan,"
"Oh, Dad!" Kat said, "Bianca wanted me to tell you that you deliver your toast in-" She glanced at her watch, "Ten minutes!"
"Fine," Walter waved her away
"You look gorgeous, Kitten," Martin smiled, "Too much cleavage for a wedding, so cover yourself. I don't want any idiot boy getting ideas," He kissed her on the cheek, "Oh and Gladys sends her love. She's a bit ill by God, but made me go anyway, oh gods," He sighed and walked to where Walter was with Cameron, leaving Kat with the last man.
He had short dark red hair that looked like he rolled out of bed and a very familiar smile.
"Have we met?" She asked, sipping her drink. He smiled and laughed,
"Hey there, girlie," He smiled again and Kat felt that same feeling again. The one where her heart rose to her throat, "Nice way to greet your ex,"