Chapter 52

"No," Joe sighed, "I'm getting married."

"Does that mean that you talked to Jenny?"

"Yeah, we had lunch together yesterday."

"And?" Catherine urged him to continue.

"And what?! I'm ruining both our lived because I wasn't careful!" he snapped.

"I hate to be indelicate here, but are you sure that you are ummm…..the ummm…father of Gina's baby?"

"Yes I'm sure," was all he said.

"How was Jenny when you left her?" she questioned softly.

"She stormed out and I doubt she'll ever speak to me again."

"Okay. I'll get back to work then…and Joe…"

"Yes?" he asked looking up at her.

"I am sorry."

"Thanks Cathy."

The next several weeks were not without it's ups and downs. Devin's physical recovery was going very well, but there were times when his moods took a dark turn. It was during those times that only Rebecca could cheer him up.

But after six long weeks of recovery Devin was back on his feet and he and Rebecca had started 'dating'. Mary and Father would have been married as soon as Devin was able to stand long enough to be a groomsman, but the community Below would not hear of a quiet quick affair like the couple wanted. They were the leaders of the community and everyone was determined to do them proud. The event was gearing up to be almost as big as Catherine and Vincent's wedding. Peter would be Father's best man with Devin and Vincent as groomsmen. Sarah would be Mary's maid of honor with Rebecca and Catherine as her other attendants.

Above, however, things were not going so well. Jenny had finally stopped skipping work to spend her days crying, only to start dating very inappropriate men. Joe wasn't doing much better. He had come in several mornings very hung over and one day was still drunk. Catherine was worried about both of her friends.

By the time everything was ready for Father and Mary's wedding Catherine was well into her fifth month. She was very glad that tunnel garb was so loose fitting, she felt like a whale already and still had a little over three months to go! Vincent kept telling her how beautiful she was, but she certainly wasn't feeling like she was.

The day before Father and Mary's big event was Friday. Catherine was having a problem with the latest case she was researching and needed to ask Joe a question. She went to his office and knocked on the door, but got no answer. Catherine knew he was in there she had seen him come back from lunch a short time before and go into his office. He hadn't come out since. After another knock went unanswered, she tested the knob and finding it unlocked, opened it and went in.

What she found there caused her to close the door behind her and sigh, "Oh Joe."

He smelled like a distillery and was asleep with his head pillowed in his arms on his desk.

"Joe wake up!" she urged shaking his shoulder at the same time.

All she got in response was a moan so she shook him again. This time he at least muttered, "Go away!"

"I will not go away Joe! You are my friend and you are throwing you life and career away by drinking like this! It has to stop!"

"I have nothing to live for!" he claimed dramatically.

"You have a wife and baby on the way!" she protested.

"Not the wife I want!"

"I understand that Joe, but is that the baby's fault?! If you don't straighten up you will be fired, jailed or worse! What will your son or daughter think of a father like that?!"

He looked up at her through bleary eyes and after a long pause sighed, "I guess you're right Radcliff. I'll watch the drinking in the future."

She nodded and left him alone, forgetting all about the problem she had gone in to see him about. Looking back at his closed office door, and at the file still in her hand, Catherine decided that it could wait until Monday.

To be continued…..