Chapter Seven

The Day

Saturday November 10th 11 A.M.

The Eames Home

Sara is busy in the kitchen and sleepily coming down the stairs is Alex, followed by Laurie, Marcy and Sherry. She smiles, "And what time did you four get home?"

They start to laugh, thinking of the many, many YOUNG men that wiggled and strutted their stuff for them. Laurie picks up a coffee cup, "Mom you should have gone with us. I………we never laughed so much in our lives."

Alex holds up a cup and Laurie pours her some coffee. "Anyone else?" Three more hands go up in the air.

"Oh that is good coffee, Misses Eames. Thank you."

"You four better eat something now because once we start getting ready the time will fly by."

"Shit," Laurie covers her mouth. "I mean gees, look at the time. What time is the salon appointment?"

"One o'clock for the salon, four o'clock the photographer will be arriving and at five thirty the limos will arrive to take us to the church." Alex says nonchalantly. She grabs a cinnamon roll and takes a bite. Four sets of eyes are watching her. Laurie speaks, "My God, Alex you're getting married today!" She takes another bite of the roll. She smiles and pats her sister's hand. "Laurie calm down." She picks up her coffee, cinnamon bun and makes her way up stairs to her old bedroom. Sara takes the empty seat at the table. "Either she has taken a sedative or it's the calm before the storm."

Laurie sits back in the chair, clutching her cup. "Wow, she is…I know she didn't take any thing. I guess we better be prepared for the explosion."

Bobby's House

The guys tried their best to get him to go out last night. They failed miserably. He wouldn't go.

He is in the kitchen drinking coffee when Frances strolls in. "Oh that coffee smells marvelous," she breathes in the aroma. He immediately stands up and fills a cup with coffee, "Here Mom."

They sit in silence for a moment. "This is nice."

"What is that?" he says as he picks up the paper.

"Sitting here with you, I'm so very happy for you Bobby."

He leans in and kisses her cheek, "Thanks Mom." A sound is heard from the other room. Robby is sitting in his playpen banging on yet another new toy. Bobby smiles; Frances looks at her grandson then her son. She sees a sparkle in his eye that she has to admit to herself she has not seen many times before. She can only recall that day at the hospital when she visited her grandson for the first time. She pats his hand, he looks down, "I think sometimes about when you were fourteen or fifteen and I had to be hospitalized. That woman, oh what was her name?"

"Denise, Denise DeMarco."

"Part of me hated that woman and part of me wanted to thank her for all that she had done for you."

He turns a page of the paper, "I think the hate part was more apparent," his smile is shielded by the paper. He sets the paper down and reaches for his cup, it is empty; he reaches across the room and grabs the coffee pot off the stove. He refills his cup and holds it up, "Mom, want some more coffee?"

"Yes please." He pours coffee into her cup and then replaces the pot.

She takes a few quick sips of coffee then sets it down, "Sometimes I wonder why, or what happened to me that day?"

"What ever made you think of that?"

"It was the same time of year, something in the air reminded me."

"Yes, that's right it," he tilts his head, "It was a few weeks before Thanksgiving."

She takes a glance at him and he is staring at the paper, "Your brother was there, wasn't he?"

Bobby raises the paper and shrugs his shoulder, "I don't know."

"Bobby, tell me, tell me the truth."

He speaks but never lowers the paper, "Oh Mom that was over thirty years ago. It doesn't matter anymore."

"It matters to me, you knew the truth but you never told me. Bobby I need for you to tell me the truth."

He sets the paper down and glances at her, not able to meet her eyes, "Ask Frank, let him tell you."

"Bobby, please tell me."

He sits back in the chair, firmly and without emotion retells the events of that November afternoon in 1976. "Yes Frank was there that day; he went to the house to ask you for money. He never told you that he quit his job; I suppose he thought he was too good to flip burgers. Anyway, when you wouldn't give him any more money he went tearing through the house to find your stash. He terrified you and when…………." The memory of her sitting in the corner of her room fills his mind. He adjusts his position in the chair wishing he could just disappear; he rubs his eyes and continues his tale. "When I came home from school, I found you sitting in the corner of your bedroom. As I walked closer toward you…you were speaking but the words were incoherent. I called your name repeatedly and when you did look up you seemed to be looking right through me."

He glances at her and he can see a tear in her eye. He takes her hand, "Mom, please can we just forget about this."

"I am responsible for how your brother………"

He slams his fist on the table; it startles her, "No not today. I am not going to sit here on my wedding day," he stands up and pats his chest. "My wedding day Mom, it's my turn to get that extra bit of attention…." He closes his eyes and exhales. "I'm sorry Mom that was an immature thing to say."

"It may have been immature but," she stands and grabs his hand and holds it to her cheek. "But it does have an element of truth, forgive me, please."

He leans down and kisses her cheek. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"I'll make breakfast Bobby."

He returns to his seat, picks up the paper, "You're not gonna get an argument from me."

Later That Day

The doorbell rings, Bobby quickly walks through the living room and opens the door. He is pleasantly surprised, "Hey Laurie, come on in."

"Hey yourself, how are you holding up?"

"Who me?" he scoffs, "I'm fine." He follows her into the room, "How is Alex holding up?"

"Surprisingly she is very cool and calm. I remember my wedding day I was a wreck but Alex seems to have everything together."

She smiles at him, "Is your Mom ready to go?"

"Go," he looks perplexed, "Go where?"

"To have her hair done, you must have missed a meeting with the…Alex."

He laughs, "Yeah I suppose I did." He calls to her, "Mom………….Laurie, Alex's sister is here to take you to get your hair done."

"I'll be right there."

A Few Hours Later

Bobby forgetting to give his mother a key hears the doorbell and runs up the basement stairs two steps at a time. He opens the door. Looks around outside, "Who dropped you off?"

"Alex's sister-in-law Theresa," She walks slowly past him. He closes the door.

"Wow Mom your hair looks beautiful."

She lightly pats her hair. "Do you really think so?" she says timidly.

He kisses her cheek, "Yes, yes I do." He says assertively.

"Thank you." She removes her coat and he takes it from her and hangs in up in the closet. "Has the baby had his bath yet?"

"No it's still too early, I mean it's only." He checks the time. "Shit its three-forty-five already." He takes a few steps toward the playpen, looks down, stops then suddenly turns around, to face his Mom. "Robby, where is he?" he says fearfully.

"Bobby?" his mother exclaims, "Calm down. Did you put him down for his nap?"

He lets out a long breath, points at her and nods, feeling foolish, "Yes, yes that's right. That's what I did." He quickly ascends the stairs and Frances follows him. When she arrives in the baby's room Bobby has him on the changing table unbuttoning his sleeper. "Bobby I'll do that, you go set up his bath and I'll bathe him and put him in his tuxedo. Where is it?"

He opens the closet door, scratches his head, "No, it's not in there. Damn, where did I put it?" Frances smiles at her son, he snaps his fingers. "Yes that's right it's hanging in the basement next to mine." Minutes later he returns and Frances has Robby wrapped in a hooded towel. He hands her the tuxedo. "Bobby he needs a bath first."

He shyly turns away from her, "I know that." She waits and raises her eyebrows. "What?" he says with a tone of annoyance.

"Did you set up his bath for me?"

"Ah…………"

She lightly taps his arm, "Would you please?"

"Yeah sure," he motions with his hand. "Come on." She follows him to the bathroom."

"In the tub?"

"No, not exactly, we put him in this." He opens the closet and takes out a child's tub that easily converts to a tub seat by using the storage drawer as a safety clamp that fits over the side of the family tub.

She stands with the baby in her arms and shakes her head, "My word the clever gadgets they have today for children. When you were Robby's age, I use to put you in the kitchen sink."

He smiles, "The kitchen sink huh?"

"Yes, it was very convenient," they both laugh. He smiles and grazes her arm with his hand. "Bobby how do I get the towel off him when I'm holding him?"

"Alex and I usually just bring him in here naked." He pauses. "Let me fill up the tub with water first then I'll hold him while you unwrap the towel."

Bobby places his son in the tub, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, yes of course."

He turns to leave the room, "Call me if you need anything?"

"I will, now go take your shower."

"I can't take my shower now." He says as he slowly closes the door. "If I did Robby would drown, remember there is only one bathroom in this house." The door clicks shut and he shakes his finger as he walks to the bedroom, "One of these days, one of these days I'm gonna put another bathroom in this house."

"I think Daddy is a little nervous today…well we can't blame him." As she is bathing her grandson, she sings a song to him. Robby is splashing and giggling in the tub. Suddenly she hears a THUMP. She calls to him, "Bobby! Are you alright?" No answer, she rinses the baby, unplugs the tub to let the water out and as she picks him up she warps him in a hooded towel.

She finds her son in his bedroom sitting on the edge of the bed. "Bobby are you alright? What was that thump?"

"Me," his face turns red as he looks away. "I tripped over my shoes."

She stifles her laugh, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Thank God, I'm going to dress Robby and then I'm going to get changed

He nods, "Ok. I'm gonna take my shower now."

She finishes dressing Robby and places him in his crib. After she finishes changing her clothes Bobby is still in the bathroom. She knocks on the bathroom door, "Bobby?"

"Yeah what is it?"

"Should I bring Robby downstairs?"

"Yes, put him in the playpen," he pauses. "Mom you can give him a bottle, you know where they are."

"Sure," she takes a few steps down the hall then comes back to the bathroom door. She knocks again, "Bobby?"

"WHAT!" she backs away from the door. "Sorry Mom, what's the matter?"

Silence, "Mom," he opens the door. "What is it?"

"I don't want to upset you, especially today but I can't find my medication bottle."

"Oh that won't upset me, Jesus Christ." he holds up his hands, "Sorry, alright when did you take them last and you better say this morning."

"Yes I took them this morning, right before I gave Robby his morning bottle."

He runs his fingers through his hair, "Check the refrigerator, maybe when you got Robby's bottle this morning you absent mindedly put them in there, I know I found the TV remote in there one day."

The solemn look on her face is washed away; they both laugh and hug each other. "Let me finish dressing, go on and check in the refrigerator."

She opens the door to the refrigerator and standing upright next to Robby's supply of formula is her prescription bottle. "I guess it does pay to have a detective for a son." She takes her medication then as the bottle warms, she retrieves her grandson.

Bobby finishes in the bathroom and gets dressed. He finds Robby downstairs in the playpen, his latest bottle finished he is playing happily. He looks around the room for his mother, "Mom?"

"I'm upstairs. I have to change my shoes, could you come up here and get my overnight bag."

"Shit," he smacks his forehead, "I forgot all about that." He retrieves his mother's bag also Robby's and his."

As he sets down the bags the doorbell rings, he opens the door and standing before him is Lewis, Andy, Dave and Michael. "Hey guys," he checks his watch, "You're right on time, come on in."

The four men, looking handsome in their tuxedos walk casually in the room. Lewis who is walking in-between Dave and Andy whispers. "Do one of you guys want to tell him or should I?"

Dave shakes his head, "Not me, you tell him Lewis."

"No, I think Andy should, he's known him longer."

Andy exhales, "Chicken shits the both of you, "Hey Bobby," he says as he walks closer to his friend, Bobby responds, "Yeah what is it?"

"Did you get any sleep last night?"

"Don't I look like I slept?" Bobby retorts.

"You don't look too bad, but I have to ask, are you planning for this marriage to end before it begins?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You took a shower before you got dressed, right?"

"Christ man, of course, why are you asking me stupid questions?"

"Take a look in the mirror."

"What? Huh?"

Andy motions with his head, "The mirror, take a look."

Bobby walks over to the mirror and gazes at his reflection, under his breath he says, "Fuck, what the hell is the matter with me?"

The guys turn away and as hard as they try, they cannot suppress their laughter. Andy regains his composure, "You better take your jacket and shirt off before you shave."

Bobby shaking his head ascends the stairs passing his mother on the way. "Bobby I hope you're going upstairs to shave."

The guys start laughing again. "Yes Mom."

"Bobby, I have packed the diaper bag. Did you bring down the rest of Robbie's tuxedo?"

"No, I forgot, I'll get it." He says through clenched teeth.

"Misses Goren, how are you?"

"Fine thank you, Andy." She greets the other men and takes a seat on the couch.

"Hey Robby," Andy picks up the boy. "Man you're getting heavy."

Bobby walks back into the room holding his arms out, "Better?"

"Much, I can't believe that they have tuxedos for babies, this is so cool."

"Yeah I know it's…" The doorbell rings and it startles him, "Who the hell is that?"

"I'll get it." Lewis says as he casually walks to the door, "I think it's probably the limo driver." He opens the door, he then turns to face his friends, "Yes that's who it is."

"Ok Mom are you ready?"

"Yes Bobby, I'm ready."

He hands the diaper bag to his mother. Lewis, Dave and Michael have left the house and are on the front porch conversing with the driver. Andy is walking behind Frances, "Your grandson…" he looks over his shoulder to find his friend standing in the middle of the room holding Robby's suit, with a look of complete bewilderment. Andy walks over to his friend, "Here you carry Robby and I'll carry his suit, we have to get in the car."

Bobby silently follows his mother out of the house with Andy close behind. Once inside the limo, Dave uncorks the champagne. "Here man I think you need this."

"Yeah, thanks," Bobby says.

The Church

Once inside the church Frances finishes dressing her grandson. Andy and the guys are mulling around trying their best not to seem nervous, well aware that their friend is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Lewis starts to laugh, Bobby hits him on the arm, "What?"

"Robby," he turns to his friend. "He looks like a miniature you."

"Yeah hopefully he won't get cursed with the curls." A touch of calm enters his body, but not for long. He sits for a moment and then starts to pace.

Frances is informed that it is time for her to take her seat. Lewis has the honor of escorting her and Robby down the aisle to their seat. Soon after Michael escorts his mother to her seat, moments later the door to the vestibule opens, where Bobby, Dave and Andy have remained. Michael and Lewis walk in the room. Lewis almost crashes into Bobby who is still pacing around the small room, "Why the hell am I so nervous? We've been living together over a year and we already have a kid."

Dave says, "I think he could use a Valium, too bad no one…"

"I do," Lewis says as he reaches in his breast pocket.

Bobby stops pacing and all the men in the room give him a double take. Bobby waves him off, "No, I want to have a drink later."

"Come on," Lewis says. "It will calm you down."

Raising his voice, Bobby says, "No I told you I want to drink later."

There is a knock at the door, Dave opens it to find a large gray haired man, "It's time." He says.

Bobby says with a serious tone, "For what?"

Andy grabs him by the shoulders and shakes him, "For the service, man."

Bobby checks his watch, "Already? Oh my God." Panic sets in.

"Yes, come on." Dave pats him on the back, "I told you we should have given him some Valium."

Michael chimes in, "Maybe we should carry him."

Bobby gives them a dirty look as they walk out of the room not trying to hide their laughter. The guys guide him to the altar and when they turn to leave Lewis says. "We'll see you in a few minutes."

Bobby looks at his friends, whispering, "Guys, where are you going?"

Dave grabs his arm and whispers, "We have to walk down the aisle, remember? Just like we practiced the other night."

Bobby nervously nods his head, "Yeah, yeah I remember."

The music starts. Bobby stands at the altar, cleverly disguising his shaking knees and the knot in his stomach. He nervously looks down the aisle and Sherry and Lewis, Marcy and Dave, followed by Laurie and Andy walk in time down the aisle. The women take their positions to the left and the men to the right. The first few notes of the wedding march are played.

Andy lightly taps Bobby's arm and whispers, "Stand still, will ya."

"I'm trying." Bobby looks down the aisle. He whispers, "Are we in the right church?"

"Yes we're in the right church," Andy looks down the aisle. "That's Alex."

"Wow," he looks to his friend then back toward her. "Oh my God she's beautiful."

"That she is," Andy says then nudges him on the side. "Kind of makes everything worth while now, doesn't it?"

He nods and suddenly feels a sense of calm, "Yes it does." Standing straight and proud he manages a smile as she gets closer.

Crystal Manor

Bud Molten, the bandleader slips the microphone off the stand, "If you will all rise I have an announcement to make. Yes, everyone it is time to bring them in the room. Can you all imagine what he is doing now? Probably getting…………." A voice is heard from the other side of the door. "Get on with it Bud."

Laughter is heard from everyone. "Alright…Ladies and gentleman it gives me great pleasure to announce for the first time." He pauses, "I was going to call them Robert and Alexandra but then people would ask, who the hell are they? Anyway," fanfare music starts to play. "Ladies and gentleman I am pleased to announce for the first time as husband and wife, Bobby and Alex Goren. The door opens and walking through the door hand in hand is a smiling Alex and a red faced Bobby. People are whistling and clapping.

The band begins to play, Alex tugs on Bobby's arm and he follows her to the middle of the dance floor. Bud speaks again, "They do look good, don't they?" The crowd once again claps and whistles. Bud continues, "Bobby and Alex have chosen for their Wedding song 'If' by Bread."

Bud sings sweet and mellow………….

If a picture paints a thousand words,

Then why can't I paint you?

The words will never show the you I've come to know.

If a face could launch a thousand ships,

Then where am I to go?

There's no one home but you,

You're all that's left me too.

Alex reaches up and kisses his cheek, "So far so good."

He smiles and returns the kiss. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look?"

She nods her head, "Yes you did and you look very handsome."

He chuckles, "You now I have to agree with you." She lightly taps his back.

Bud speaks, "Come on everyone join them on the dance floor."

And when my love for life is running dry,

You come and pour yourself on me.

If a man could be two places at one time,

I'd be with you.

Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.

If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die

"Are you happy?" he asks.

"Yes, yes I am. Are you?"

"The only other time in my life I have felt this great is when Robby was born." He kisses her on the lips. "I love you so very much."

She wraps her arms around him. "I love you more every day."

I'd spend the end with you.

And when the world was through,

Then one by one the stars would all go out,

Then you and I would simply fly away

Throughout the evening, as in many receptions, the bride and groom are usually off in different directions mingling with their guests, so is true with the Gorens. Walking through the lounge on his way back from the men's room Bobby encounters Mike. "Hey Mike."

"Great party man," he extends his hand and the men shake.

"Thanks," they walk side-by-side back to the reception room and stop off at the bar. "You know there is something that I've been meaning to ask you, Logan. How is your new partner?"

"She is very capable and smart."

The bartender sets their drinks before them; Bobby picks his up and takes a sip, "You know Alex use to pride herself on the fact that she was the cutest and the youngest one in the squad."

"Did you tell her that?"

"Would I be standing here talking to you now if I did?" Mike pats his back.

CLING, CLING on the glasses. "Jesus Christ not again." He scans the room. "Do you see her?" Mike Points, "There, she's over there."

He pats Mike's arm, "Enjoy the rest of the party, catch you, later."

The band, the food and the party were fabulous. Many of the guests stayed at the inn that night, including the bride and groom. Sunday morning when they woke, they felt different, even though for over a year they had been waking up in the same bed. "Why does this feel so different?"

He sits up in the bed, "I don't know. But it does, doesn't it?"

She starts to giggle, "Maybe it's because, as my Mom would say, we're not living in sin anymore." He plops down in the bed and begins to laugh. There is a knock at the door.

"Who's that?"

He shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know," he pauses, "But I know a way to find out."

"What's that?"

"I will answer the door," he says as he gets out of the bed.

Alex clears her throat. "Ah Bobby?"

He turns quickly. "What?"

She points at him, wiggling her finger up and down; he looks down, "Shit."

"Here," she tosses him his robe.

"Thanks," he slips it on then opens the door.

"Good morning sir, your breakfast."

"My breakfast," he turns to Alex. "Did you order breakfast this morning?"

"No not this morning," she lightly taps her temple. "When we made the reservations we were given a menu for our complimentary breakfast, remember?"

"Yes, yes. Please come in." he steps aside to let the young man enter. He sets the breakfast up for them on the table, Bobby slips him a tip, "Thank you sir, have a great day."

The rest of that Sunday, after the big day, just flew by. They decided to have dinner upstate with Frances and then drive her back to Carmel Ridge.

Monday morning came quickly; they dropped off Robby at Laurie's. The playpen, high chair and such, Laurie has in her basement, so they could leave the big items at home. Alex packed, as her sister said, "enough clothes for a month." After about a thousand hugs and kisses between her and Bobby on their son, they finally left the house and finished their packing for their trip. Monday evening they were on their way to their honeymoon getaway.

As they take their seats on the plane Alex says as she hits his arm, "See I told you it would be perfect." She sits back in the seat with a smug look on her face; he leans over and kisses her cheek, "Yeah, yeah."

The Sandals Grande on the Caribbean Island Saint Lucian

Wednesday Morning

Two relaxed New Yorkers, laying on chaise lounges on a white sandy beach soaking up the sun. Alex reaches down and picks up her glass that at one time was a pina coloda, not any more. She taps her husband, he stirs, "What?" he says not wanting to open his eyes. "My glass is empty."

He yawns, "That's nice."

She sits up, "Come on Bobby it's your turn."

He shades his eyes and turns to her, "I think you've had enough."

"No I haven't you just don't want to move."

He chuckles, "You got that right," he stretches. "Alright I'll be right back." He takes a few steps, then turns to face her. "I think we should call home today."

She lays back down, "I already did," she pauses and points in the air. "And so did you." He walks back and a shadow appears over her, she opens her eyes. He leans down and kisses her. She reaches up and puts her arms around his neck. "Want to go back to the room."

He kisses her, "What's the matter with right here." He looks around. "There is not a soul in sight."

She suddenly gets shy, "No, no I can't." she laughs softly.

He straightens up and extends his arms, "Come on," she slowly stands up. He puts his arm around her shoulder, leans in and kisses her gently on the lips. "It's too hot out here anyway."

One Police Plaza

The Same Day

Logan and Wheeler are sipping coffee and deciding their schedule for the day when Ross greets them. He stands next to Logan's desk. "There was a prison break Tuesday morning at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton New Jersey."

Mike leans back in his seat, "What our dockets aren't full enough, you want us to go looking for escapees from prison," Mike expecting at least a smile from Ross. "I thought it was humorous."

Wheeler smiles as Ross sits on the edge of his desk. "One of the escapees is," he clears his throat. "Nicole, Nicole Wallace."

You could have heard a pin drop in the room. Mike leans forward picks up his coffee cup. "Holy shit………I know one thing for sure."

"What is that?" Wheeler asks.

"There is no way in hell I'm gonna tell Goren." He looks up at Ross, "If that was your plan?"

Ross just shakes his head. "Well I guess we can put some of our cases on hold for a couple of days and start looking for her. With luck maybe we'll find her before they get back."

That Is All