A/N: THIS IS THE SEQEUL TO ONLY TIME WILL TELL. IT WONT BE AS LONG OR AS ANGSTY, BUT I PROMISE IT WILL BE AMUSING AND IT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR OF MARRIAGE. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW AND AS ALWAYS, ENJOY. THE CROSSING JORDAN CHARACTERS DON'T BELONG TO ME, BUT THE NEW CHARACTERS DO.
THE BEGINNING OF US
CHAPTER 1: FAMILY REUNION
The last four or so months since Woody proposed to Jordan were filled with the numerous preparations for the wedding. Jordan had no idea that it would be this difficult, she had figured on making a few phone calls, trying on a few dresses and taste testing a few caterers and bakeries, and everything would be done. Alas, she was met by stern protests from her family and friends. Woody wanted a traditional, well as traditional as Jordan was willing to go, Irish-Catholic wedding. Not a problem, she agreed to be married at St. Inez, by Father Paul. Max wanted the reception to be special. When he had come back from Ireland, he had received a phone call from a friend who said the old bar Max had once owned was up for sale again, the friend knew the owner and asked Max if he wanted to buy it back. Max agreed mainly because he wanted something to do, now that he decided to stay in Boston, and the price was a steal. Settled, the reception would be held at the Pogue. Everyone else offered to do their part in making this a special wedding. So Jordan put different duties into a jar, and everyone pulled one out, that duty was to be their gift to the couple. Great, all done. NOT!
It was a Monday, less than one week until the wedding, just five days to be exact. Jordan and Woody were on their way to Logan airport, to pick up his family. His Uncle Charlie, Aunt Betty and their daughter, Dorothy. They came in early to help with the preparations, Uncle Charlie would help Max get the bar ready, Aunt Betty was in charge of the wedding cake and pastries and Dorothy, or Dolly as she was called, was a bridesmaid. Woody was very nervous, he hadn't seen his cousin in over six years, since he left Wisconsin. He had been back a few times, but she was away at college then. Aunt Betty and Uncle Charlie had come to visit Woody a few weeks after he was shot, Dolly couldn't make it because she was out of the country, on a vacation with some friends. Woody said it was better that way, he didn't want Dolly to see him in that condition, he wasn't sure how she would react to seeing him, even now.
"Dolly's like my little sister, she's the baby of the family. Of course, she's like twenty-something now.", he smiled remembering the cute, little, freckled-faced, redhead he used to play with. He told Jordan the story of how one summer, Cal got Dolly to climb up a tree by telling her there was a cat stuck in it. She climbed higher and higher until she was up so high, she couldn't get back down. Cal panicked and started yelling for help, Woody came out and climbed the tree to get Dolly down. "Wait a minute, you climbed up a huge tree to get your cousin down when you were like twelve, but now, twenty years later, you can't even look down a two story balcony without getting nervous.", Jordan stated, amused. . Woody rolled his eyes. "Where do you think my fear of heights came from," he asked annoyed. Jordan just laughed harder. "Anyway, to make a long story short….", Woody continued. "Too late.", Jordan interrupted, with a smile. "She got down safely, I slipped and broke my arm, spent six weeks in a cast.", he stated, hesitating for a minute. His face fell a little. "She's an only child, I always thought I had to protect her, she didn't have anyone else. No chance of doing that now.", he added, sadly.
Jordan didn't reply to his last statement. Woody would still get a little sad when he thought of something very important to him, that he couldn't do anymore. He needed more time to get used to his 'new' life. "She's a big girl now Woody, I think she can take care of herself.", Jordan pointed out, taking his hand. They pulled into a pick up spot, just as the group was getting their luggage. Jordan got out, went around to the passenger side, handed Woody his crutches and helped him out. Aunt Betty ran over to the car and squeezed Woody so tight she almost knocked him over. Jordan grabbed his arm, steading him as Aunt Betty hugged her. "Oh look at him Charlie, doesn't he look wonderful?", she called to her husband. "Much better than the last time we saw you.", Uncle Charlie replied, patting his nephews back. A small figure came out from between his aunt and uncle. "Remember me Woody?", Dolly piped in, hugging her cousin. " Of course, how could I forget my favorite cousin? Although , you're definitely not that little teenager anymore. You're a woman now.", he said, shocked at the sight of this beautiful, auburn-haired young lady standing in front of him.
"Well it's been over six years, Woody. A lot has changed.", she offered. "No kidding.", he added, nodding to his crutches. She gave him a small smile and turned to her right. "And you must be Jordan.", Dolly said, giving her soon-to-be cousin-in-law a huge hug. "I'm Dorothy Hoyt, but everyone calls me Dolly.", she explained, rolling those crystal blue Hoyt eyes at her childish nickname. "Dolly, as is Dolly Madison?", Jordan asked with a chuckle, assuming the answer was yes. "Wow, how did you know? Did Woody tell you?", she asked a bit naively. "No, just a lucky guess I suppose.", Jordan replied, smilling at Woody. "Yeah, it's a family trait, no one was spared. You should hear some of the third and fourth cousins names.", he chuckled back. "You know Woody, you could break the cycle.….with your kids.", she said with a smirk, looking from Woody to Jordan. "I hate to break up this reunion, but we better get you all to the hotel. Woody and I have to get to work soon. We'll be able to catch up at dinner tonight.", Jordan stated, loading the last of the bags.