Jamie's Encore
Chapter 22 Wedding Bells
Relaxing after dinner in their favorite spot – the double lounger on their back balcony. With the view of the bay, city scape and background hills. They haven't gotten tired of this view yet!
"Love." Caitlin whispers.
"What, babe?"
"Have you decided, and asked, who is in your wedding party?"
"Yup. Spencer is my best man; Jack and Officer Brooks are my groomsmen. How are you doing?"
"Olivia is my Maid of Honor; Nicky and Margie are my brides' maids."
What else do we have?" He asks.
"Well, here is the list. Off the top of my head:
Jill – guest book attendant.
Sean and Danny – ushers.
Rafael – walking me down the aisle.
Dana – coordinator.
Marie, Rafael's wife – cake and catering.
Venue – the Rady Shell. "Are you sure you are ok with that?" She cocks her head.
"I'm fine, sweetheart! Have you decided if and what are you going to play?"
"Play, yes. What, not yet."
"You going to just grab something out of your vast repertoire?"
She glares, if looks could kill!
"NO, this takes some careful thought!"
"May I make a suggestion?"
"And who is the musician in this family?"
"I sing . . . in the shower."
She pats his cheek, "You just go on thinking that you are making music my dear."
"You seem to like it . . . when you are in the shower with me."
"It's not the singing I'm liking, lover boy!"
"No?"
"No."
"Hm."
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BAY RIDGE
"Pops, did you look at the last email? About the possible condos?"
"Yes, I like #5."
"The one with the Pacific view?"
"Yes. Jamie has the city view, I thought we would mix it up."
"But that's 10 blocks away from Jamie and Caitlin's."
"I know. But I found out that on the Island we can drive a golf cart. Neat, huh?"
"Really? That is nice."
"And I've already looked online for models."
"I'm sure you have." Frank smiles.
"Francis, did you see that message from the Coronado realtor? She wants a call back tomorrow."
"Can you handle that? I'll be in conference with the mayor all morning."
"Sure. You and he talking about replacements for you?"
"Yup."
"Good luck."
"We'll need it." Frank frowns.
"By the way, have you decided what you prefer. Buy or rent?"
"Buy, if we can swing it."
"I agree."
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NEXT MORNING
"Henry Reagan here. Is this Mrs. Caldwell?"
"Yes, it is. It's great to talk with you. Is Frank with you?"
"No, he has some unavoidable business at work. He asked me to cover this call."
"You do realize that both of you are needed to complete the transaction?"
"Yes, but we talked last evening and agreed on condo #5. So, how far along can you and I get?"
"We can do a lot. If you can authorize a down payment we can put a hold on the condo. Can you do that?"
"Yes, let's get started."
The desired condo is secured. Awaiting final details, authorization of payment and signatures. It is a done deal as far as Frank and Henry are concerned. They feel very good about their decisions.
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NYC MAYOR'S OFFICE
"Frank, I must ask if you can stay on board through January 31. I just don't think we will have your replacement chosen and properly instilled in office before that." Mayor Barnett pleads.
Frank Reagan contemplates his answer.
"I can do that Mr. Mayor, with one caveat. My son Jameson is getting married in San Diego over Christmas. I must be there for that. I can then return and fill out my term through January 31. Is that acceptable?"
"How much time would you be gone?"
"I anticipate 5-7 days, sir."
"That is reasonable. Let's do that. Agreed?"
"Agreed. Thank you, mayor."
"Thank you, Frank. Your service for the people of NYC has been long and distinguished. Thank you, so much!"
"You are very welcome, sir." Frank nods.
"Now, let's look at your list of names." The mayor gets them down to work.
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CORONADO CONDO – SD FAMILY DINNER
The 4 west coast family members gather for their twice monthly meal. This time Jill and Margie join them. Jill and her mother have a standing invitation, but Margie hasn't yet become comfortable enough to come each time. The family hopes that will happen. It probably will.
"So, is everyone comfortable with their wedding duties?" Jamie asks.
"I am," Caitlin grins at him.
"I certainly hope so!" He smirks. He wraps her up in an embrace and moves in for a kiss.
She slides out of the way. "Not here, lover boy!" She whispers.
Margie blushes, the kids look the other way, Jamie frowns. Caitlin pops a bite of roll into his mouth.
Dinner proceeds.
Conversation is light, talk of the upcoming nuptials dominates.
"Have we settled on a date yet?" Nicky asks. "As coordinator I really need to know."
"Well, the piano lady continues to vacillate," Jamie huffs.
He gets an elbow for that.
"Well, you do!"
"Ok, Mr. Reagan. Let's tell them our options. Shall we?"
"Ok. We have talked about December 24 – a Friday. Or, Sunday Mass on the 26th. What do you all think?"
"Do you have The Shell available on those dates?" Jack wonders. "And a priest?"
"Yes, the priest at the church we have started attending is holding those days for us," Caitlin informs them.
"Is the Shell large enough?" Nicky wonders.
"Yes," Jamie responds. "Plenty large enough!"
"I like Sunday the 26th, Jamie decides.
Everyone agrees.
"Well, we need to get invitations out pronto!" Nicky exclaims.
"Here is the list," Caitlin hands her 4 sheets of paper.
Nicky gulps.
"Let me help," Margie reaches for the list.
"And here is the invitation we selected," Caitlin hands over the sample. "It's from the stationery store at the Coronado Mall. They have my credit card number on file. Just tell them how many we want, they said that they would have them ready in 2 days."
"The girls and I will get right on it!"
"Thanks, so much!" Caitlin expresses. "Now for dessert, Nicky?"
Nicky brings out her 2nd try at flan.
She is getting better and better!
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MOVING
The condo is secured, a large Mayflower moving van pulls up to the Bay ridge home on December 17. The van is loaded and on its way the 18th.
Henry and Frank will fly west on December 20. They will stay with Jamie and Caitlin until the van's expected arrival on the 21st. Then they will direct the men as they unload and place things appropriately in their new home.
Erin took them to JFK – an extremely tearful departure. Even though her father would return for a month, she knew it was goodbye. She didn't know how she would deal with this. It definitely was uncharted waters for the Reagan family. But then, maybe she and her elder brother needed some space o spread their wings. It just didn't feel that way at the time.
Danny was nowhere to be found. Linda was quite concerned for him. He and Sean had more or less withdrawn from her. She was going to talk with Erin; the two ladies needed to come up with a plan. They knew that the emotional health of the NYC branch of the Reagan clan was in their hands. Time to step up to the plate!
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WEDDING DAY
It was a crisp winter day in San Diego. Clear, sunny, temp expected to be 70 degrees.
Caitlin had decided to play some prelude music, nothing during the ceremony.
When she and Rafael appeared at the back of the red carpet, Jameson was like any other groom:
SPEECHLESS AND IN AWE!
He had never seen her more beautiful. How lucky can one man be? The couple had prepared their own vows:
Jameson: "When I saw you planting flower bulbs all alone, I was intrigued. When I asked if I could join you, and help, you said "Yes." That was the one and only YES I got for quite some time."
Caitlin drops her head and shakes it lightly.
"I asked you to join me for dinner . . . you said NO. Time, after time, after time, after time-
"Enough!" Caitlin whispers. The guests chuckle.
"So, I followed my partner's suggestion-
"Vinny was responsible?" she whispers a little louder.
The guests laugh now!
"I ambushed you!" He grins.
She covers her face with her hands, and shakes he head.
"You said, YES. Finally! And here we are . . . Caitlin McKenna; You were worth working for, worth waiting for. I do, and will LOVE you forever! I am yours today and always!"
Caitlin: "As you learned, Jamie, I had a really hard time trusting people. Letting anyone in behind my walls. I had been hurt so badly . . . much of that hurt self-imposed, that I felt I couldn't risk a relationship. Then you showed up, and showed up, and showed up! I couldn't shake you. It was really annoying!"
The guests laugh.
"Jamie, I am so glad that you persisted. And that I finally trusted . . . you! I, too, will LOVE you, only you, today and forever. I am yours, only yours, ALWAYS!"
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After the reception, the newly wedded couple embarked on a 10-day honeymoon. A Mediterranean cruise sponsored by Frank, Henry, Spencer and Rafael. While on the cruise Caitlin played twice in the ship's salon. The captain hosted the pair 3 times at his table. Many passengers sought autographs; Caitlin acquiesced gladly. They had a marvelous time.
Then it was back to work.
And awaiting Frank's arrival.
And doing some road repair on the Reagan family.
They had their work cut out for them!
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TBC