Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me. This is fan fiction, not for profit.
Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.
A/N: A collaboration with Mijo54. A/N2: story takes place after Detour.
10.4 Packages and Preparations
…sooner would be better…
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Valentine's day arrived with Becker's traditional gift of candy and flowers. Jess's favorite chocolates, a hard to get Sprungli treat of dark chocolate with figs and caramel, were a delight as always. The bouquet of dark red roses was different this time.
"I told the florist to use the colored baby's breath," whispered Becker softly, "I thought… since we're really trying now…"
The bouquet of roses didn't have the usual white baby's breath floating between the dark red blossoms. This bouquet was interspersed with tiny sprigs of baby's breath tinted with the faintest hint of color, pink and blue.
"Oh Hil," whispered Jess. Her eyes glowed as she looked at Becker. "They're the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen."
-x-x-x-x-x-x
In March, the post delivered a package along with the regular mail. Becker brought the box wrapped in brown paper and tied with string into the house and set it down on the coffee table. He was still sorting through the rest of the mail, when Jess came into the room.
"What's this?" asked Jess.
"The utility bill, a sale flyer from the furniture store," answered Becker. He held up three small pale yellow envelopes which signified the responses to their wedding invitations. "The Alcotts and the Jennings will be delighted to come to our wedding, and the Grahams want to know if they can bring their cousin Ernest… he's visiting from Ireland."
"Of course," nodded Jess, "but I was talking about the package."
The petite brunette leaned down and looked at the return address. The label was from France. Jess squealed in excitement.
"What?" asked Becker. The soldier watched in amazement as Jess ran up the stairs carrying the box. Her voice floated back down the stairs.
"Aunt Marianne found my shoes!"
-x-x-x-x-x-x
By the end of March, the smallest bedroom upstairs had been declared off limits to the soldier. The tiny room was bursting full with packages. The arrival of the Louboutin shoes was followed in swift order by bridesmaid dresses. Five little white dresses, one each for Jess and Becker's nieces, all different and all beautiful.
Becker's oldest niece, nine year old Meg, had a straight a-line dress with a bright blue satin sash. Seven year old Nan had a pleated smock dress with a pale green sash. Jess's oldest niece, six year old Phoebe had a simple taffeta jumper with a soft silver ribbon at the waist. The two youngest girls, Gwendolyn's daughter Hilary and Zandra's daughter Ruth had the same dress, short-sleeved with honeycomb smocking in the bodice and a full pleated skirt. Larry had bright yellow stitching in her smocking to match her yellow sash, while Little Ruthie had bright red stitching and a bright red sash.
Black suits arrived the first week in April. Becker took the largest one and carefully hung it on his side of the closet he shared with Jess. The two smaller suits, one each for Jess's nephews Charles and Peter, were added to the collection in the small bedroom.
Another large package from France arrived right before Easter. Favors for the wedding reception were packed carefully in two dozen little glass dishes. The brightly colored candies elicited another happy squeal of delight from Jess.
"Dragees!"
-x-x-x-x-x-x
A week and a day before the wedding, Jess got dressed up in a flirty short yellow dress trimmed with black. Four inch black spike heels with a bright yellow buckle on the toe and a small black sequined clutch bag completed the outfit. Becker whistled as she came down the stairs. The yellow and black outfit Jess wore reminded Becker of the outfit Jess wore when he first met her.
"Are you sure I can't go to your hen night party?" asked Becker with a chuckle. "You look great."
"Thank you," responded Jess with a smile. "And no, it's ladies night. You'll get your turn tomorrow."
She stepped forward and Becker pulled her closer. The soldier wrapped his arms around her. Jess inhaled the citrusy scent of his white musk body wash and gave a contented sigh.
"Maybe I should just cancel," she whispered, "I could just stay home, here with you."
Becker pulled back and shook his head.
"Oh no, Abby would have my head," replied Becker.
The doorbell rang then. Jess moved to get her coat, while Becker opened the door to reveal the blonde. Her face was lit up with a huge grin.
"Are you ready?" asked Abby excitedly.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
A little before midnight, Jess returned home. The petite brunette was humming a little. She set down a brightly colored bag containing a number of smaller packages and reached for the key. The woman behind her held several larger boxes stacked one upon the other. As Jess inserted the key into the lock, the door opened before her. Becker stood there grinning. Jess's eyes lit up.
"You knew!" exclaimed Jess.
"Of course," replied Becker.
The soldier bent down and picked up Jess's bag and held the door open as the two women entered.
"William," greeted Jess, "I'm so glad that you and 'Xandra made it back to Britain early. It was wonderful having all my sisters at my hen night."
Jess greeted her brother-in-law with a hug.
"Where's Marjorie," asked William as he released Jess. "And Evie?"
"Marjorie took the train back to Manchester right after dinner," replied Alexandra, "and Evie and Sharon are probably still dancing at the club."
Becker stood by the open door, looking outside. He saw the Temple's car parked out front, but no one was in it. Becker turned and looked at Jess.
"Where's Abby?" asked Becker. "Isn't she with you?"
Jess and Alexandra chuckled.
"No, we took Abby home first," answered Jess, "before we went dancing."
"Poor love," explained Alexandra, "she fell asleep at the dinner table. Apparently the new baby has colic and is keeping the family up."
Becker shut the front door, and moved to take the packages from his soon to be sister-in-law.
"No," said Jess.
She took the boxes from her sister, and headed towards the stairs.
"You don't get to see these," admonished Jess, "at least not yet."
"Don't wake Phoebe and Ruthie," cautioned Becker. He held up the gifts in the bag. "And what about these?"
The gifts in the bag were mostly kitchenware while the boxes contained more personal items, but still they weren't to be used until after the wedding.
"Don't peek," ordered Jess.
Jess closed the door behind her as she entered the smallest bedroom upstairs. She set the boxes on the dresser and then carefully removed the lid of the topmost box. Jess sighed as she picked up the delicate black lace and lifted the negligee from the box. The soft fabric fell in loose folds as she held the beautiful gown in front of her. Jess spun in a slow circle before the mirror.
"Hil," whispered Jess, "you're going to love this."
-x-x-x-x-x-x
The next night, Becker and William left Jess and Alexandra with the girls. Becker, dressed in black denims and a black sweater with tiny gray stripes woven through the fabric, was barely visible as the two men walked briskly across the park to the Temple home. Becker knocked on the dark green door. Abby opened the door and motioned them inside.
"Connor will be down in just a minute," explained Abby. "He's putting the baby down."
From upstairs, a soft male voice could be heard murmuring some off key lyrics. Little Sarah joined her mother in the hallway. She looked up at the tall soldier and nodded gravely.
"Tom-tom has the cow-lick," explained the little girl.
"Colic sweetie," corrected Abby. The blonde looked at Becker and William. "Tommy has colic."
-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Are you sure this is what you want?" asked Connor for the umpteenth time. The scientist wore a fedora and old black jacket with a multitude of pockets. Bright pins and colored patches adorned the lapels.
"Yes," replied Becker again as the threesome approached the neighborhood pub. "My men won't be happy unless they give me a proper send off."
The soldier looked from Connor to William.
"I'm getting married next week," said Becker with a smile. "Just watch my drinks, don't let anyone spike it and make sure I get home in one piece."
The soldier opened the door to the pub. Connor and William had their orders. They had guard duty. Connor and William exchanged a glance before they followed Becker inside.
"I guess that means a tattoo of a tank is out of the question," whispered Connor.
"Don't be so sure," grinned William.
-x-x-x-x-x-x