Jamie's Encore
Chapter 19 Wedding Planning
CORONADO CONDO
Relaxing in the double lounger after dinner.
"Can you believe this, Jamie?"
"What, love?"
"You, me, San Diego, the perfect climate, the perfect view, 2 family members in the area, jobs we love. I never thought that I would find you – need I go on?"
"NO, don't jinx us, please!"
"But, babe, we've got some planning to do."
"Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know; a wedding maybe." She waves her left hand under his nose.
"Ah, ok. When and where should we get married. Let's start with when. I think it should be either this Christmas or next summer. You?"
"Well, if I can't get you to the courthouse next week-
He attacks, "I'm game," a kissing barrage starts. It's NOT one-sided.
When they come up for air-
"A Christmas wedding in NYC – with snow, would be beautiful!" Caitlin exclaims.
"My family would vote for that." Jamie adds.
"Do they get a vote?" She smirks.
"Not really, I'm just saying that would make it easier on a lot of people. What about your family?"
"One aunt, one uncle, no cousins. I think they would prefer a warmer climate, like here. But I'm not sure they would come. But wait . . . my year from hell. The event that started it, was a party at my uncle's house. I never told you that detail. I'm sorry, Jamie."
"No worries, babe."
"So, I doubt that either of them will come. I'll invite them though."
"Good, I think that's best. So, NYC or SD?"
"I vote for SD!" Caitlin declares.
"I agree! When?" Jamie smiles.
"Christmas, I don't want to wait!"
"I like that. You will be my Christmas present; all wrapped up and under the tree!"
"All wrapped up, huh?" She cocks her head.
"Sure, then I get to unwrap you!"
"Jameson Reagan, you are a bad boy!"
He grins.
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"I called my dad and prepared him for a call during Sunday dinner today, 3 PM EST, noon PST." Jamie mentions at breakfast.
"Good; so, we are agreed on a Christmas wedding, here in San Diego. Correct?" She wants to be sure.
"Yes. Any other news we should report?" Jamie wonders.
"Well, I think Nicky and Jack should do their own updating of the family. Don't you?" Caitlin suggests.
"Absolutely."
RING, RING
"No phones at the table, grandpa!" Sean exclaims.
"Quiet, I set this up." Frank motions for silence.
Frank here, is this Jamie and Caitlin?"
"We are here, on speaker."
"You are on speaker here also. We have myself of course, Pops, Erin, Danny, Linda and Sean. Everyone say hello – there is a chorus of HELLO!"
Jamie and Caitlin return the greeting.
Jamie starts off the conversation, "We have two big pieces of news." He nods to Caitlin to begin. She starts-
"We got engaged 3 weeks ago. Jamie took me to this snazzy restaurant, planning to surprise me. But he had told me where we were going. So, I had talked to the pianist and soloist and set up my own surprise! I took the bench and the soloist and I did 1 verse and chorus of "It Had to be You". Then while the pianist took over, I kneeled before Jamie and proposed!" She pauses-
He shouts, "I SAID YES!"
CONGRATULATIONS break out in Bay Ridge. After things settle down, Henry asks "And the 2nd piece of news is?"
Jamie answers, "We are getting married this coming Christmas, right here in San Diego. We hope you all will come!"
"Wow, any further details, Jamie?" Erin asks.
"No, not yet. I assume we will call again soon and start rolling out details."
"She asked you, huh kid? You are whipped already!" Danny snorts.
"Call it what you will; I'm lovin' it!"
Liinda pipes up, "Any news about Jack?"
"Caitlin and I talked about that; we feel that Jack and Nicky should do their own reporting. Of course, if there was an emergency we would be right on it – immediately."
"All of you know about my 2 concerts next year, correct?"
"Valentine's day in SD and July 4th in Honolulu, correct?" Henry reaffirms.
"Correct, Pops. I hope to see you!" She exclaims.
"I'm planning on both of them. I need to call you in a couple of days, and work some things out." Pops adds.
"We're looking forward to that. Remember the time difference. 3 hours."
"I think I've got that.
"Anybody else?" Jamie inquires.
"I think that's all, great to hear from the two of you!" Frank signs off.
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Jamie & Caitlin talk some more.
"I would like Erin to have some role in our wedding, Jamie. But with her attitude I don't know what that might be. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, sweetie. She and Danny are making their own beds; they will have to lie in them. Danny would ordinarily be my best man – or at least a groomsman. But I can't see that either."
"What a mess. What can we do?"
"I really don't know, babe."
"I found out that Rafael's wife, Maria, coordinates weddings."
"Really?" Do you know her very well?"
"I've met her twice, only. What if we invited them over here for dinner, I'll cook. If the get together goes well, we could ask her to do it. Or, if we are not sure, we can talk about it later."
"I like that, a lot. Those sirloin tips you made for our first dinner at your home in NYC were great!"
"I can do those again, or I have an Ahi tuna recipe I'm dying to try."
"Maybe make that for us, a trial run?"
"My guinea pig!" She pats him on the cheek.
"Yup."
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REAGAN SUNDAY DINNER – SD STYLE
Caitlin and Nicky have prepared a Sunday dinner for the west coast family. Caitlin and Jamie have talked about this and decided to give it a try twice a month.
They are having Caitlin's grandma's meatloaf recipe, from scratch mashed potatoes, brown gravy, fresh green beans, a green salad and key lime pie.
Jamie had a private talk with the kids, asking them not to inquire about no wine. They readily agreed.
Dinner was a smashing success.
Nicky informed them that she has made a very good friend, also a sophomore. Her name is Jill, and she lives with her divorced mother. Jill has invited Nicky to share her room at home; she has 2 twin beds.
"Do you think I should, uncle Jamie?"
Jamie pauses . . . "Let me answer that for both of you kids."
"I'm not asking for that," Jack says.
"I know, but the principle will apply to both of you. Danny has, and Erin will be very unhappy if you come to me first asking about big things in your life. I am very willing to advise you, give you my opinion etc. But if you talk with me first, your parent or parents may get upset. And, right now, the sibling relationship is rocky enough; let's not add fuel to the fire. Do you understand what I'm saying?" He looks at his niece and nephew.
They nod in assent. They understand.
"But I know what mom will do," Nicky whines.
"The same thing I would do, I am sure." Jamie admits.
"You would check Jill and her mom out?" Nicky is shocked.
"In some way, yes. Now, I am here so I could do a home visit and eyeball the situation. But I would do something."
"Well, I guess I better call mom. I was intending too anyway. Can I do it while I am here?"
"Sure, either sit in our home office, or on the back balcony – if it's not too noisy."
"Thanks, I'll try the balcony."
She slips out and calls her mom.
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After 15 minutes, Nicky comes back inside. She hands Jamie the phone. "Mom wants to talk to you." She looks despondent.
"Hi Erin, what's up? BTW you are on speaker."
"Please take me off speaker Jamie."
"You are off," he walks out to the balcony. The noise level is ok.
"Did Nicky talk with you or Caitlin about living with this Jill person, or anyone else?"
"She brought up the topic and I shut it down. I told both Nicky and Jack that big things like this should be discussed with their parents first. So, she called you."
"That's the first you've heard of it?"
"Yes, today."
"Are you sure, Jamie?"
"What are you asking, Erin? BTW you are back on speaker." He opens the sliding door and walks inside.
"TAKE ME OFF SPEAKER, JAMIE!"
"Are you accusing me of lying, Erin?"
"Am I on speaker?"
"Yes-
Call disconnected.
Jamie sits down. "SHIT!" "Sorry kids."
"That's ok." Both Nicky & Jack whisper.
"What did she say, babe?" Caitlin asks.
"She basically accused me of lying, without using the words."
"That's what she said to me too," Nicky admits.
"Wow, what have I done to your family?" Caitlin whispers.
"No, no, this isn't your fault," Nicky says as she comes and kneels down before Caitlin. She rests her head in her uncle's fiancés lap.
Jamie stands up and looks at all three; "I want all of you to hear this . . . my family is right here in this room! Anyone else that wants to be part of my innermost circle needs to love, honor and respect the four of us, always. Now Nicky and Jack may be uncomfortable with this – just let me know."
"Not me" from both kids. "I'm in."
Jamie pulls Caitlin to her feet and embraces her. "I love you, 1-4-3, always and forever!"
She whispers it back.
The 4 of them do a group hug!
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TBC
A/N: I don't know if I can put the BB family back together. Some attitudes need a major adjustment! Have they been so tight, together too long?