Chapter Four

He's Gonna Blow

The next day Sunday, they spend the day driving throughout the borough of Brooklyn searching for the best place to hold their wedding reception. Alex had on her list two places in Manhattan. After a brief discussion, they agreed that they did not want to cross the bridge. As they visited each facility, Alex made notes about the pros and cons of each place. "I attended a party here last year," Bobby says. "Is the same chef still employed here and if he is would he be doing the cooking for the reception?"

"Yes Mister Goren, Stefan in still our chef," answers Mister Fuller, the party coordinator for the Crystal Manor Restaurant and catering hall.

"Good," Bobby slaps his thighs. "Well I know the food is good."

They finally agree that their wedding reception will be held at the Crystal Manor. The cost per head was within their budget. Saturday, November 10th 2007 will be the day that Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames would become husband and wife. They have decided on an evening wedding.

Before leaving, they decide to have a quick drink at the bar. Bobby being Bobby was very interested in the history of the manor. He came to find out that the original owner was Quentin Collins. His grandfather had started a small shipping company and by the 1920's, the Collins family ruled the shipping trade on the east coast. Quentin built the house for his wife Angelique. During the construction, Angelique had become pregnant and a month before they moved into their new home their only daughter, Crystal was born. The storybook romance fell to the wayside and Angelique left him taking their daughter with her. He spent the last twenty years of his life living there in total isolation. Seeming a little boastful, the bartender whispered to him that people have reported seeing his ghost. With raised eyebrows, Bobby just nods as the bartender attends to another guest. Alex is busily making notes and did not hear what the bartender had said to Bobby. When she looks up to ask him a question, he is scanning the room with his eyes, not moving his head.

She taps his arm, "What the heck are you doing?" She startles him, "Huh what." He shakes his head as if he is trying to get some common sense in there. "Nothing," he scans the room once more. "Nothing at all. While we're here, want to get something to eat?" He slowly scans the room once more. Gees knock it off. He softy chuckles to himself "Bartender, may we have two menus please?"

Neither are church going people but they do decide that they will exchange their vows at the same church that her parents were married in over forty years ago.

She informs Bobby that her matron of honor will be her sister Laurie. She has decided on three bridesmaids, her sister-in-law Theresa and her two close friends Marcy and Sherry. Bobby's best man will be, unfortunately to his mother's dismay not his brother Frank but one of his oldest friends Andy Reilly. The other three men in the party will be his friends Dave Fanelli, Lewis Dixon and Alex's brother Michael.

Later on that week, she begins writing down the names of her guests. She asks Bobby for his list and she is a little perturbed by the fact that he finished before her. "You know that was a lot harder to do than I thought," he says. "I ended up with 64 people. When you think of one person then you think about the people that they know and of course, you know them too, frustrating, anyway, I cut it down to 32 guests, is that alright?"

Alex takes a quick look at the list. "Of course it's alright." She nods her head in recognition of most of the names.

Saturday Afternoon

Robby is just finishing his afternoon bottle. She lightly kisses the top of her son's head. "A couple of months and he'll be ready to eat some cereal, right?" Bobby asks.

"Yes we should be able to start him on cereal when he is four months old."

He notices her with the legal pad as she sits down next to him on the couch. "Would you like to borrow my leather case?" She smiles at him sweetly, he continues, "Oh man is that what I look like, always jotting down notes and..." She waves her hand; "Everyone has gotten so use to seeing you with that thing," she points. "That no one really notices anymore."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" A loud burp is heard from Robby. "Whoa," Bobby says. "That's my boy."

Alex shakes her head and under her breath she says, "I guess it's a guy thing." She holds her arms out, Bobby lifts his son up and Alex takes him in her arms. "Oh stop it, since when do you give a crap what other people think?"

He stretches his arms out across the back of the couch, "When I have more than myself to think about."

"I love you so much," she kisses his cheek. "You know that."

"I hope so, I mean we are getting married," he states very casually. "Oh my God," he sits up straight. "We're really getting married."

They both laugh and fall into each others arms.

Later on in the Month

The check marks are building up on her list. She seems to be lost in thought. "Please don't tell me that you have thought of more things to add to that list." She lays the pad down on her lap. Shaking her head, "No, no. You told me yesterday that you were going to call your friend Vic about photographing the ceremony."

"Yes I will call him."

She reads down the list, "Also, don't forget that you have to call to make an appointment for you and guys to get measured for your tuxedos and don't forget one for Robby."

"I know, I will, don't worry about it."

She scans the list again, "Oh the limos, did you call the limo company and reserve the cars?"

"Yes I did two limos one white and one black."

She makes a motion and red check mark is next to the limos. "Now," she taps the pad with her red pencil. "One of the most important things for the reception…" He interjects as he returns Robby to his carry all, "The food."

"Yes the food is important, oh that reminds me we have to decide on the menu before Friday. But what I was referring to is the entertainment, a DJ, my sister gave me the name……….."

"A DJ?" he frowns. "No," shaking his head. "I, I want a band."

"A band," she taps the pencil on the pad. "Bobby they can be very expensive."

Is she freakin' kidding me? She looks up at him when he does not respond, with a tilted head and a frown on his face. "Don't give me that look," she says.

"What look is that."

"That, has she lost her mind look."

"I wasn't thinking anything like that," he looks down at the floor and clears his throat. "Dear."

Making sure that he is far enough away from her son, she tosses the pencil at him and it hits him in the chest. Sounding innocent, "What did you do that for?"

"Dear, not when you say it like that." He picks the pencil off the floor and gestures as if he is going to throw it back but he hands it to her. "Alright but we'll have to go and listen to a few of them…….."

"I know this guy," he wags his finger at her. "Bud………"

She smiles at him, "I should have known, alright call him and see if he is available for the tenth."

"We can hear him perform next week. He's playing at Crackers Thursday through Saturday."

On Friday evening, Bobby and Alex did indeed go to Crackers to hear the Bud Moltin Band perform. She met him and he was defiantly available for the night of the 10th. The six-piece band played songs from the 50's to the 2000's. She checks with a red mark the entertainment note on her list.

The Next Weekend

Sunday Morning

Bobby arrives home from an early morning call. Ross specifically called for him and his new partner Danni Matthews. Alex is busily working in the kitchen. "Morning," he says, then looks at the clock. "Gee eleven o'clock already."

With a cheery greeting she replies, "Morning." He kisses her cheek. "I have to admit, that is one of the things that I do not miss about that job, being called out at three in the morning, especially in the rain."

He exhales, "It was a mess, my God, but there is some good news. I did like you suggested and included Danni in the investigation but as all things are in this world, there is a draw back."

She shakes the excess water off the head of lettuce she has rinsed off in the sink and places it in a bowl. "What's that?"

"I'll admit that she is bright but now………she never stops talking. Gees in the car for half an hour talk, talk, talk."

Alex can't help but laugh. "Turn her off, like you do to me."

"What? I don't do that." He grabs a carrot from the bowl and takes a bite.

"Bull shit, all you men have selective deafness."

He scans the kitchen counter and table. "What's with all the food? Feeding the neighborhood?" He grabs for a piece of turkey that she has rolled up on a tray, quickly but lightly she smacks his hand. "That's for company. The girls are coming over for lunch to discuss wedding plans. I told you yesterday, remember?"

Remember, I'm lucky if I remember my name these days. He thinks to himself as he scratches the back of his head.

Alex continues, "We're going to decide on the color for the wedding party." She holds up her index finger, "I have picked out six different favors and hopefully we can decide on which one we want to give out." He nods and smiles at her as she speaks. She continues, "Oh and the invitations, I want to get them in the mail by the end of next week and of course I have 5, no 7 designs picked out, lastly a woman is coming here to show us her portfolio of designs for the bouquets and boutonnières."

She continues her task of getting the trays prepared, he nods. If he heard half of what she said it was a lot, he was thinking about work and his stomach, his eyes widen as he glances at the different variety of food scattered around the counter. "All this food, I have met all your fiends and your family." He scans over the trays of food. "They are going to eat all of this," he waves his hand over the counter. "Now my friends," he nods his head. "Defiantly." Alex grabs a slice of roast beef. "Here." She feeds it to him. "That's it," he says.

"There are packages of cold cuts in the refrigerator, make yourself a sandwich…or two."

He makes himself a sandwich, eats while she continues to prepare for her company. He finishes a roast beef sandwich and decides to make a turkey sandwich. "That was good."

He has a tendency to eat quickly and every opportunity she gets Alex has to comment on it. "How could you tell?"

He smiles broadly, as he stands up, he checks the time, "When did Robby go down for his nap?"

Alex glances at the clock, "About an hour ago, hopefully he'll sleep another hour. He walks up behind her, "I'm going to lie down for awhile." He kisses her cheek and lightly grabs her butt, "Nice butt."

"Not now," she lightly pushes him away. He raises his eyebrows a few times. She can't help but smile at him, "Gees you're a pain in the ass."

"Yeah I know but you love me anyway." She rinses off her hands and follows him out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

Later in the Afternoon

After a two-hour nap, Bobby descends the stairs to voices, female voices. They wave their hellos and without missing a beat continue their conversations. Alex is sitting on the couch with the laptop and he can hear the clicking of the mouse and typing on the keyboard. He hears a woman say, "That one Alex, print out that one." He scratches the back of his head as he walks into the kitchen. Please God let there be a beer in here. He opens the refrigerator. He looks from shelf to shelf, Damn. He straightens up. I could go get some or…He looks out into the living room. On the other hand, go where I know some is chilling right now. He closes the refrigerator door and returns upstairs for a quick shower.

When he returns downstairs, they are still talking and giggling. He looks at his son wiggling in his carryall. Can't leave him here. He prepares all the necessary items to take his son out for a few hours. He manages to get Alex's attention and she nods and says, "That's a good idea."

The doorbell rings at the home of Andy Reilly, his fifteen-year-old daughter Ashley, who Bobby is Godfather to, answers the door. "Hi Uncle Bobby, oh you brought the baby. Come on in, Dad's watching the Yankee game with Dave and Lewis."

"How are you Ashley?"

"I'm fine, thank you, last week I had a cold and missed a day of school but I'm much better now. Can I hold the baby?"

"I'm glad you're feeling better." He hands over the baby as Rachel, Ashley's mom, enters the room. "Hi Bobby, the guys are here."

"Yes I know, Ashley told me."

"You know Ashley loves to talk, just like her grandfather."

"How are Tom and Lisa?"

"They were going to retire to Florida but they picked North Carolina instead and they absolutely love it there, they're due for a visit around Memorial Day. I just spoke with them the other day some aches and pains but…….." He crosses his arms and smiles at her. "Alright maybe she gets it from me."

"She's a great kid," he glances over at the red-haired freckled faced teenager. "You know I haven't thought about his until now but as I recall Ashley does babysitting."

Ashley turns back to face them, "Yes I still do Uncle Bobby, just give me a few days notice."

"I certainly will, thanks Ashley."

"So did you get kicked out?" Rachel asks.

"No I ran away, Alex nodded and said that's a good idea but something tells me that they haven't noticed that we left."

She lightly touches Robby's head. "How many are there?"

"Seven, ten. I don't know." He shrugs his shoulders. "No there are six of them, Alex, her Mom, sister, sister-in-law and two of her girlfriends. I'll tell you one thing; it sounds like there are fifty of them."

She has to smile, "I did the same thing, poor Andy." Ashley has taken Robby into another room. Rachel and Bobby follow her. "Ashley, let me hold him."

Rachel is a little surprised at the weigh of the 8-week-old boy. "Wow he's a lot heavier than I thought. How much does he weigh?"

Bobby scans the room and pulls on his belt buckle, slightly embarrassed. "Oh gees, Alex just took him the other day."

She smiles at him, "Don't worry about it Dad."

"Go on," she motions with her head. "You where they are and you know where the beer is."

He points at her, "Are you alright with….of course you are. I'm sorry," he says sheepishly.

"It's alright," she says as she looks down at the little boy with dark eyes.

He turns to leave the room, "Hey Bobby."

"What is it," he says as he turns to face her.

"I'm very happy for you."

He smiles as he walks closer to her and leans down and kisses her cheek, "Thanks Rachel."

The three men look up when the door opens. Andy says, "Well look who it is, so she finally let you out of the house."

"Screw you."

"Get yourself a beer and sit down," Andy says with a wicked grin.

Bobby takes a seat and opens up a bottle of beer. He takes a long sip. "Damn that tastes good." He takes another sip, "What's the score," he says as he points the bottle toward the TV set.

Dave says, "Four zip Baltimore, all the Goddamn money these guys get, you think they could actually win a ball game."

Bobby grabs a handful of peanuts, "Why the hell should they knock themselves out? Whether they win or lose they make the same money."

"That's for sure."

Andy opens up a beer and sits down next to his friend, "Well ole buddy it's good to see ya, so," he takes a sip of beer. "How many of them are at the house?"

"What is it with you and your wife, you guys psychic or what?"

"No it's just the look on your face."

Andy Reilly and Dave Fanelli are both married men with teenage children and they never miss an opportunity to tease the crap out of their long time single friends.

Dave takes a sip of beer. "It's only going to get worse, man."

"What? What do you mean?"

Andy and Dave nod their head as Andy taps Bobby on the back, "Yeah this is nothing, wait."

"What are you talking about?"

"Something happens to them, especially when they get together with their Moms and sisters and girlfriends."

"I'll let you in on a secret," Dave says.

"What's that?" Bobby says as he grabs for some pretzels.

"Whenever Alex stands in front of you and holds up two or three items and then asks you, which one you like? Do not…under," a sly smile crosses his face. "Any circumstance, give your opinion."

"What?" He shakes his head as he takes a quick sip of beer. "Oh you're so full of shit."

"Wish I was ole buddy, but…………." He raises his eyebrows, "Andy do I lie?"

"It's true Bobby, I swear man. When she asks, which one do you like, ask her which one she likes, and then agree with her."

"That usually works," Dave says as he nods his head.

"If you guys don't knock it off I'm leaving." Bobby looks over at Lewis who is trying his best not to laugh but he fails. "What the hell are you laughing at?" Bobby asks.

He laughs heartily, and points towards his direction, "The look on your face."

Andy stands up and walks over to the small refrigerator, "Sometimes though," he bends down and takes out a beer. "She'll ask why didn't you pick the other one and then you are totally screwed my friend."

"Alex isn't like that."

"Neither was Rachel but……………"

Bobby says "Alright, enough. That's enough!"

"He doesn't believe us, Andy."

"He'll just have to find out the hard way."

Bobby quickly gets up from the chair and Andy calls to him, "Bobby come on man, don't………….."

"I'm not going anywhere, I need another beer."

That Evening

Bobby returns home and all the cars are gone, "Thank God." He tries his best not to wake up Robby but he stirs and lets out a small cry. Bobby cradles him in his arms and the boy closes his eyes and goes back to sleep. He grabs for the doorknob and suddenly he realizes that he left the car on, "Damnit." He turns toward the car and then back at the door. Alex opens the door, "What are you doing?"

"Debating whether to go back and turn off the car or get the baby in the house, but since you're here." He hands over the baby and returns to the car. Closes the door and then remembers the diaper bag, "Jesus where the hell is my brain?"

The baby is due one more bottle before he is put down for the night. Alex gives him a bath and his last bottle and when she returns downstairs Bobby is in the kitchen reading the Sunday Times.

"Since it is an evening wedding we decided that we would go classic, black and white."

He looks up from the paper, nodding his head he says, "I like that."

He glances down at the paper, "These are the invitations we will be mailing," She shows him a white card with light blue lettering with a trail of pearl-embossed flowers and vines surrounding the words. He picks up the card and nods, and a sweet smile crosses his face as he looks at the card and then at here, God you're beautiful, "I like this, very nice." She glances at the invitation again and smiles.

"We narrowed down the favors to three, we couldn't agree." She places three photos on the table; she taps his shoulder, "Bobby, which one of these favors do you like?"

He picks up the photos one at a time and reads the captions on the bottom of each one, "Brass or silver bell favors, frames in the shape of a heart or Faith, Hope and Love set of 3 Votive candles."

Uh oh, well I like the frames, but I'll bet that she doesn't, but what if she does. Damnit. His friends' advice goes through his mind. He shakes his head and picks up the photo of the frame, places it back on the table. He clears his throat, "Which one do you like?"

Alex picks up the photo of the candle set, "I like this one."

He turns back to the paper, "Yeah me too."

"You do?"

"Most definitely."

"Thank you." He sits back in the chair, "Anytime." He smiles to himself. Thanks, guys I owe you one.

"Now I was looking over the list which I am happy to announce has most of the items checked off. One thing I noticed was the photographer. Did you remember to call him?"

"Yes I called him and left a message he's on vacation in Hawaii, will be back at the end of the week."

"Well if he doesn't call you back please remember to call him."

"I will." He looks down at the paper. "Ok, I'm sorry, read your paper," she says as she gets up from the chair.

Later on in the Week

Another bear of a day, but coming home to an empty house? Not any longer; he loves walking in the front door and seeing his family. Things seem to be forgotten when he gets home. However; not tonight. Alex is sitting on the couch with her legs tucked under her, reading a book; she looks up when the door opens.

"Sorry I'm a little later than I said, couldn't help it."

"It's alright I understand, believe me I understand." She holds up a glass of wine. "Would you like a glass of wine?"

He leans down and kisses his son on the forehead and when Alex stands up to greet him. "No sit." He waves his hand as he walks over and extends his arms for a hug and a quick peck on the lips. "Hm wine tastes good."

"I'll pour you a glass."

"Maybe later, I need a quick shower."

Before he reaches the stairs Alex calls to him, "Bobby did you remember to call your friend Vic?"

He turns abruptly, "Yes, Jesus Christ, you asked me yesterday and the day before. What all of a sudden I'm not reliable to take care of a simple task."

"Aren't we in a mood, gees I'm sorry, I just asked you a simple question. You don't have to bite my head off," she says and then takes a sip of wine.

As he speaks he walks closer to her, "I just walked in the door and all you can think about is the wedding. For one night," he points with his index finger. "Can we please talk about something else? Please."

"I just everything to be perfect."

"Perfect, let me enlighten you on a few things, nothing is perfect... never can be and never will be." She looks up at him, his arms are waving around, and his voice gets louder with each sentence. "Do you have any idea how many things can go wrong?

"Oh aren't we an optimist," she says under her breath.

"What if it rains all day? It will be in November hell it might even snow. What if the limo has a flat tire, or the tuxedos don't fit right that morning, which by the way are two tasks that you thought I was capable of handling, how come you haven't ask me about them fifteen goddamn times?" She thinks to herself, because I already checked them off the list. Not really expecting an answer, he continues, Alex stands up and with her arms crossed, she listens. "What if the baby throws up on his tuxedo, what if………..what if."

He looks at his bride to be and she is smiling, she drops her arms, "Are you done?"

He exhales and sits down, "Yeah I think so."

She sits down next to him, "Alex, does it really matter?"

"I guess when you put it like that, no it doesn't matter. Bobby do you feel like I'm going over the top or…………."

"I don't know. I don't have anything to compare it to." He touches his tie and slides his hand down. "No, after talking to Rachel…. it's normal."

He turns his head away. "Bobby." He leans forward and places his elbows on his knees, scrubs his face and looks straight ahead. She grabs him by the elbow and tugs on his jacket sleeve she asks, "Do you feel that I'm spending to much time on this and nothing else?"

He shakes his head, "I never thought that I would say this and please listen to me before you say anything…please."

"Bobby what are you talking about?"

"You said something," he caresses her arm and smiles. She exhales. "I feel like I'm the one who is being…………at first I thought that if I…………" He suddenly stands up and she watches him intently. "I want everything to be the way it was before plus what we have now. I hate……………Goddamnit," he says through his teeth.

She stands and takes a step forward and reaches up and touches his face, smiling she says, "What happened?" He doesn't answer right away. "How about…………what did you do?"

"Do? I'm trying to do my job, why doesn't he just leave me alone to do what I have to do, he's always sticking his nose into my business."

She pushes him on the chest with her palm, "Because he's the captain." She pauses, "Bobby you're the senior partner now."

"Yeah I know but every time I walk out of the elevator he's there, I look up from my desk he's there, Jesus Christ." He stuffs his hands in his pockets, "If we ever agree on anything it will be a miracle."

She waves him off, "You're exaggerating."

He makes a sign with his fingers, "Maybe a little." He sits down in a huff, "I think he does it on purpose, I mean what the hell does he think I'm gonna do."

"I have to agree with you that he can be a little overbearing."

"A little overbearing...I mean the first few days he was there, he asks you to keep an eye on me, what the hell," he pauses. Shyly he looks down at her. "Did Deakins say that same thing to you?"

She shakes her head, "No, don't compare him to Deakins. Ross likes to get involved in all the cases, he does not like surprises, that's just the way and he is," she pauses. And he is the CO." She grabs his hand. "He'll loosen up."

He just nods his head and then says, "Every little thing, he questions every thing I say and do."

Alex thinks to herself, He's not listening, just let him get it out.

"What the hell does he want from me? I'll tell you one thing, Alex and I mean it!" He barks, "He had better back off. Or I swear to God………..I'm quitting."

TBC