Remembrance

Chapter Six

Now James is getting into my story he thinks its cute that I have remembered all the little tidbits about my life especially the parts about him. Everyday he comes in looking to see what I have written or just to look at my notes. Okay I think I liked it better when he thought I was wasting my time. Men, well you know how the saying goes. James is a sweetheart though I can't deny it he has been good to me through the years; gosh I sound like an old lady but I have known him for almost six years now though we haven't been married quite two. Having a baby was something we wanted to do while we were still young. We live fairly simply in a rental not far from my parents and Uncles homes. James is an intern with an architect firm until recently I worked as a receptionist at a local dentist office then they put me on bed rest because I was a bit stressed at work. I don't plan on going back to work until my little girl is at least six months old then Mom will watch her while I am at work. Well back to the past.

Our relationship did not suffer for our lack of sex as teenagers; not that we didn't have the urges we just decided to ignore them as long as possible. There were more than a couple of times that being on a date with James could get a bit heated, especially on the way back to my parents. All the parks we passed between the movie theater and our home in the more urban parts of the city were more than tempting. Too bad we weren't smart enough to stop at one of them but instead, well, this is what happened.

We were parked down the street from my house, necking in the car, I mean hands were flying, there was heavy breathing, fogged windows the whole nine yards. Then a tap tap on the window could be heard, the back window because we were in the back seat. Thank God in heaven it was Uncle Sam, at least that was my first thought.

"Jessica Marie, what the hell is going on?"

"Uh, um, Uncle Sam. Hi," I said weakly as I adjusted my blouse.

I am sure we were both three shades of red. Though I was afraid to look in James' direction because Uncle Sam was livid.

"Both of you out of the car right this minute," he said loudly.

Please God don't let Dad hear him out here. I thought we were far enough from both houses to keep the relatives from seeing us, boy was I wrong. Before I could get out of the car Uncle Joshua walked up. Hell Mary full of grace…, I'm not even Catholic.

"What is going on here?" Uncle Joshua said.

Yes, we needed an audience, Please Lord let the ground open up now.

"Joshua I think it is pretty obvious; they were making out in the backseat right in front of the house."

"Have you no shame?" Uncle Joshua said with a smirk.

Okay I think he was enjoying my embarrassment a bit too much. Then I thought I would die on the spot when Dad came walking down the sidewalk.

"What is going on out here?"

Uncle Sam gave him the sordid details. Uncle Joshua was trying not to smile. Maybe they just gathered to give poor James a heart attack it seems a bit fishy that they were all gathered around like we were having a tea party.

"So what do you two have to say for yourselves?" Dad asked with a frown.

"We are sorry," I said.

James nodded.

"Speak," Dad insisted.

"I'm sorry Mr. Winchester," James finally said.

"Sorry for getting caught," Uncle Sam insisted.

"Daddy you know I love James, why are you giving us such a hard time. We weren't doing anything wrong," I chimed in.

They all looked at one another and broke into grins.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked.

"We were just harassing you; we know you're good kids," Uncle Joshua said.

Uncle Sam reached down to hug me.

"We couldn't resist Sweet Cakes," he said in my ear.

I smiled up at him; Winchester men were always up to some mischief. I felt lucky to be a part of their family. Dad even gave me a hug though he added a warning.

"We trust James but you still have to you know…try to keep it kosher," he said as he looked at me trying hard to be serious.

James was still trying to take the whole change of events in, but he gave me a smile as he got in the car to leave. For a moment I wondered if I would ever see him again.

"You almost gave him a cardiac, you guys," I said as Dad took my hand as we walked toward the house together.

I could still Uncle Joshua and Uncle Sam laughing as they headed back toward their homes.

What I learned: Dealing with the Winchesters can be a harrowing experience or just a kick.

When Uncle Joshua finally decided to marry Alicia after dating for more than five years, we were able to travel to California again for the wedding. Me, Uncle Sam and Dad were in the wedding. Dad was the best man, Uncle Sam was a groomsman who got to walk me a brides maid down the aisle. Alicia, who was from Hawaii, who's family was mainly in California decided the wedding should be there for convenience sake. They were of course moving to Kansas where Joshua owned his home. Alicia is a representative for a cosmetic company and traveled almost as much as Uncle Joshua who still works with Dad and Uncle Sam at the detective agency.

Aunt Missy decided to stay home with the other kids while Mom traveled with us we were only gone over the weekend but it was beautiful. Alicia wore a white off the shoulder gown with a lace over wrap and a long train. Uncle Joshua wore a chestnut color suit that off set his blonde hair nicely. The wedding party wore cranberry which was good for my tan skin. Afterward the reception was at a nice big hotel and we stayed up most of the night dancing. I called James after the wedding to tell him all about it; I am sure he wasn't as interested as he pretended but he listened.

"When will you he back?"

"In a couple of days, Mom and Dad want to take advantage of the weather and being away from the kids to relax a day. I will hang out with Bethany and Uncle Sam but I will miss you," I said assuming that is what he was waiting for.

"I will be gone when you return," he said.

"What?"

"My uncle's transfer came through yesterday."

"But what about us?"

"I was thinking maybe if your parents would let me stay with them that might work."

I wasn't real confident Dad would go for that.

"I will ask. It's not like you don't have a job and we are getting married in a year and a half, right?" I said.

I didn't have a lot of time to think about what to say I ran into Dad after I hung up the phone. I took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the fact that Dad always said he thought I was more mature than my years. I was counting on that now.

"Dad can we talk?"

"Sure, Sweet Cakes," he said with a grin.

I was glad this was a happy occasion that was in my favor. We sat down in the nearest chairs. It was large and expensive looking lobby a great setting to ask a big question.

"Daddy, I just spoke with James and he needs a place to stay until we get married; or at least until he can find a small place of hit own."

"Why is that?"

"His uncle got transferred and they are moving right away. The movers are going to pack up their stuff after they are gone."

"Uh hum, I don't know Jessica."

Not a good sign when he calls me Jessica but not as bad as Jessica Marie, I held my breath as he thought about his options. He looked at me for a few moments while I tried to sit up straight and look grown up.

"Well I have to talk to your mother; but I would expect him to find a new arrangement fairly quick we don't have a whole lot of room as it is."

I hugged him.

"Thank you Daddy."

"Well it's not official to we hear from your Mom."

Mom walked up just as I hugged Dad.

"What's going on?"

Dad shooed me away so he could talk to her as I went to find Bethany.

Bethany thought it was cool that James might get to stay at my house; I wasn't so sure how I really felt about it yet. I was reserving my excitement until I heard from Mom. Bethany and I danced with Alicia's hot looking nephews most of the night, I guess I always had a thing for men with dark hair and eyes. It would have been more fun if it hadn't been for the fact that Mom made me suffer until we finally were on the way to bed a three a.m., to tell me it was okay for James to stay a while. I phoned him even at that hour knowing he needed to know as soon as possible. He picked up on the first ring.

James ended up staying with us for two months. Two months of trying to avoid each other after shower time, two months of sleeping in the same house with very little contact, two months of my parents watching us like a hawk. I wasn't a happy camper when it hit me we had more freedom when we weren't living under the same roof. I think Mom and Dad enjoyed our discomfort. Parents, gotta love them'.

What I learned: Watch what you wish for; you might get it.

TBC