chapter 13 of Josh and Sophie on fanfic.

The Wedding Celebration with Friends

PART 1

TR has been called to a rooftop hostage scenario. Lawson went in to try and negotiate with Josh and Michael located on the adjoining rooftop, in sniper positions. Josh is furious at Lawson for putting himself in danger like this. They've nearly finished their shift and Josh wants Lawson to do something with him after the shift.

Eventually there's a tense stand-off and things seem to be getting out of hand. One of the hostages is shot and at one point it looks like Lawson's life is in danger. Josh doesn't hesitate and takes out the gunman before Michael gets a chance. Needless to say Michael is now furious with Josh, he had been working hard at establishing himself as the leading shooter, the man with the impressive weaponry, in the TR team. Josh couldn't care less and shrugs when Michael complains.

After their debriefing, Josh and Lawson rush back to the changeroom, eager to have a shower and get dressed. They both shower at the same time, it seems like a competition… They've brought some decent suits to work and are putting on after shave and steaming up the changeroom in the race to get dried and dressed. There might even be a bit of light-hearted towel-flicking…

Once they come out of the showers, a towel wrapped around their waist, there's a bit of pushing and shoving in front of the mirror. Lawson wants to gel his hair.

Josh; "Quit it Lawson, you'll look like a teenager"

Lawson; "Well, I'm not an old man yet ! At least I have hair to gel unlike others !"
Josh gives Lawson a quick and effective towel-flick on his wet naked butt.

Lawson responds: "Ohh ! You're in trouble now !" and rapidly winds up his own towel.

The girls had better not walk in to the unisex changeroom now, with two naked men in their prime having a go at each other ! Steam in the air, drops of water slipping off their bodies !

Josh; "Come on now Lawson, chill out, I saved your ass back there"
Lawson; "Saved my ass ? You just had your eye on the clock didn't you !"

Josh; "Maybe… but it was the right moment to make the move"

Lawson; "True"

Josh; "Come on, hurry up will ya ?"

Once they are respectably dressed, they get in Lawson's car together and take off. After some frustrating moments in traffic, they arrive at their destination, a restaurant by the river. They race inside to find everyone waiting for them. They are late.

Lisa hugs Lawson; "What's this story about you putting your life on the line again ?"

Lawson; "Well, it's a job isn't it"

Josh; "Since when does the groom bail out the bestman, hey ? You owe me one Lawson."

Lawson follows Josh over to where Sophie and Ryan are waiting. Ryan is a toddler still and Lisa holds him whilst Sophie and Josh take their marriage vows for the second time amongst friends. Most of the TR team are there.

PART 2

Most of the TR team are at Josh and Sophie's 2nd wedding. Josh was polite and he invited everyone even though there are some team members with whom he doesn't get on well. When Josh and Lawson first arrived at the restaurant, Josh had eyes only for Sophie who looked fantastic in a flattering cream dress with her hair pulled up, little curly wisps of hair dangling over her ears and small flowers tucked in to her dark hair. Josh walks up to her; "You look stunning !"

Sophie; "Thanks Josh, you look hot, if a little late !"
Josh; "Well it's all Lawson's fault ! He doesn't even need to remember the wedding rings does he !"
They snicker and remove their rings so they can re-take their vows in front of their friends and Ryan who doesn't really appreciate the event.

After they have taken their vows and kissed, everyone sits down to dinner. Now Josh feels that he can start to relax. He looks around at the guests, it's not too big an event. He notices who has turned up from TR, Dom and his wife and daughter, Stella and Michael, both without dates, noticeably, and Leon. Who is sitting next to Leon ? She looks disturbingly familiar, dark curly hair, an infectious laugh. Josh is suddenly mortified to realize that he knows this girl and he can't even remember her name. But he remembers when he met her, at a bar full of nerdy student types, what was he doing there ? Oh yes, his girlfriend had dumped him and he was trying to erase her from his memory. My god, he spent the night with this girl and regretted it immediately the next morning. What's her name ? And what's she doing with Leon ?

Josh is on edge for most of the dinner although he tries to enjoy himself with champagne and the distraction of Ryan and of course Sophie's cute dimples. He doesn't feel any attraction to "what's her name" but he is terrified that she will say something. He's more worried that she will say something to Leon than to Sophie or anyone else. Josh knows that Leon would love a bit of ammunition to get Josh back for all those little moments !

Later in the night, there is dancing and everyone is having a good time. Stella has been flirting shamelessly with Michael on the dance floor. He is absolutely besotted with her, but she isn't too fussed. She loves to tease him. Lawson has been showing off his smooth dance moves with Lisa…

Leon and "the girl" wander past Josh and Sophie. Ever polite, she asks "Hi Leon, we haven't been introduced" ( to her ). The mystery woman introduces herself; "Angela" ( Oh thank god, Josh thinks, at least I know her name now ). Sophie introduces Angela to Josh who politely says hello. Angela says "Yes, Josh and I have met before" smiling. Leon looks suitably puzzled and says "indeed…." Sophie is also intrigued. Sophie; "Oh really ? Where ?" Josh thinks; "Oh god, don't ask that ! No ! I want to escape now ! "

Angela; "Ah… we went to the same school " unaware of course that Sophie also went to school with Josh. Angela has politely tried to avoid a scene but in fact has just made everything worse as Josh knows. Sophie; "Really ? Were you in the same year as Josh ?" She's baiting her. Josh thinks "You're too smart Sophie, please just leave it but he says nothing. He's tugging on her arm and she can sense that something isn't quite right. Angela; "Ah no, actually I was a year or two below, that's probably why he doesn't seem to recognize me " Angela can see the awkwardness in Josh's face and regrets saying anything. Sophie; "Well that's odd because I was a year or two below Josh and I don't remember You ! Are you sure ?" Angela; "Oh, maybe not then, probably just met him briefly at some party, you know ! Anyway nice to meet you , congratulations" and she walks off with Leon who is intrigued now. Fortunately Angela doesn't give Leon the gossip that he craves. Josh is absolutely furious that Leon has brought this girl, in fact he never wanted Leon here in the first place !

Sophie doesn't bring up the subject again, she wants to enjoy the rest of her night.

Later she does the traditional tossing of the bouquet and Stella catches it accidentally. Surprisingly Stella exclaims; "Oh Sh***" and she tosses it back in the air much to Michael's dismay.

After the wedding

Josh drives Sophie and Ryan home from their wedding dinner. It's not late but they have to get Ryan to bed. He was starting to whinge and cry at dinner. Now he's falling asleep in the back with his favourite brown bear snuggled up under his chin.

Sophie looks back at him and smiles.

S; "He's using his teddy as a pillow"

Josh doesn't say anything but makes a sound of acknowledgement.

He is really very worried about this girl, whats-her-name… Angela ? and he's scared that Sophie is going to ask for an explanation. What if Angela says something to Leon ? What could she say to Leon ( Josh has no idea .. ) what if she keeps going out with Leon and he has to see her again ? and again ? His mind is churning over with possibilities and he has to bring himself back to concentrating on the road.

Sophie can see that he's worried about something and she knows it must be to do with that girl. She had a nice surprise planned back home, a bottle of their favourite wine, some chocolates, lingerie. Josh loves chocolate, not melted, hot chocolate, but the small delicate truffles and cream-filled or liquer chocolates that you get from specialist shops. Sophie has worked out where to get the best ones, its one of Josh's secret pleasures that she has sussed out. But now she's worried that the mood may not be right…

They get home. Josh carries Ryan inside "come on little fella" he says, and puts Ryan in bed. Josh leaves the room as Sophie settles Ryan down. He finds the wine and chocolates on the kitchen bench, opens the bottle and pours them both a large glass. He sits down on the lounge with his glass, the chocolates on the coffee table. Josh pulls off his tie and flings it on the table, loosens his collar and rolls up his sleeves. ( Oh ! )

Sophie comes into the lounge, she dims the lights.

Josh; "Well, here's to us" and he raises his glass to her. She raises her glass and they both take a sip and sit in silence, looking at the chocolates.

S; "Do I need to know something Josh ?"

Josh looks at her; "Not really, there's not much to know"

S; "What do you mean ?"

He grimaces.

J; "Well…. Yes, I slept with her, but once, and I couldn't even remember her name for god's sake. It's nothing. She doesn't mean anything to me…………..you do. It's just awkward that she turns up like that, and with Leon too !"
S; "Sure was awkward….."
J; "I'm sorry Sophie"

S; "Are there any more one-night stands of your's going to turn up ?"
Josh sighs deeply.

S; "Well ?"
J; "Well maybe. I can't predict that. I haven't always been in long-term relationships, but I've….."

S; "ok, I get it."

J; "But I'm married now ! It's different !"

He looks at her intently.

S; "Yes, we're an old married couple now !" ( giggling )

Josh is glad she's taken it so well and smiles with relief.

J; "Yeah, my friend Brooke used to always hassle me about my love-life, she was one of our team at……….. and used to come to the pub with us, saw what we got up to…. Anyway, she told me I'd settle down one day with a sweet girl and make babies ! I used to laugh at her."
S; "You should go look her up now, turn up with me and the kids !"
J; "Now there's an idea !" and laughing together, he takes her in his arms.