Jamie's Encore

Chapter 23 Love Does

They are home from the honeymoon. It has been 10 days and nerves are beginning to show. Jamie's at least.

Henry is seemingly always underfoot. He is at their condo most mornings, preparing a nice breakfast. Now, that is appreciated – especially by Caitlin. But geez . . . can't a guy ever have a quiet morning alone with his new bride?

And Pops expressed his desire to have family dinners every Sunday, not twice a month. Why doesn't he just mind his own business?

Oh, right, it's family business. But why can't we do things a new way? The west coast way. Why couldn't the old man leave these things in NYC? The pot is simmering, maybe boiling over soon!

Caitlin steps in. Like a loving wife should.

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BEDTIME – NOT ASLEEP YET

"Jamie?"

"Yes, babe."

"It's really bothering you, isn't it?"

"What?"

"Your grandfather, around here a lot."

"Am I that transparent?" Jamie frowns.

"To me, yes. Are you surprised?"

"No, I guess not. It's just . . . can't we have some time alone? Please? I love you!" He draws her closer.

"We have time alone . . . like right now." She grins.

"Ok, when we get home from work, we'll go right to bed. I can get used to that!"

"Jameson Reagan! Be serious!"

"Well, do you have an alternative?" He is frustrated. She can tell.

"Love, look at it this way. Pops is how old? 80+?"

"82." Jamie admits.

"You and I are 30 something, right?"

"Correct. So?"

"You and I have a reasonable expectation of celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary. 50 years!"

"Um."

"Can't we give Pops, and your dad, 2-3-5 years of, I don't know what to call it . . . closeness, with some reasonable boundaries?"

"Can we, and they, agree on reasonable boundaries, sweetheart?" He sounds dubious.

"I think we can. Why don't we go with the flow until your dad arrives. Then have a family pow-wow? Ok?"

"I thank God daily for you, my love!" Jamie sighs.

"And I for you," she rolls over and gives her husband a deep, passionate kiss.

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PIANO PRACTICE

Caitlin is practicing at home for the Valentine's Day concert with the SD symphony. It is one of her 2 concerts per year. On the program is a difficult Mozart piano concerto.

Jamie is sitting on the back balcony, listening while he relaxes after dinner. He usually stays within listening range. In the condo it's hard not to listen; once in a while he goes into the home office and closes the door.

Caitlin realizes that it can be tiresome; she so appreciates his tolerance for the occasions when she does practice at home. She tries to keep it to a minimum, practicing at work or in the Shell.

She is having a hard time with this Mozart composition. As she has explained to Jamie, piano performance is much more than playing the correct notes, in the right timing. Many pianists can do that. Great performance entails pouring the right feeling into the performance. That often means knowing the composer, and his or her emotional state when that particular composition was written. That separates good pianists from great ones. And good performances from great ones.

It just wasn't coming tonight. She huffed, and lightly slammed the keys. Jamie knew she was frustrated.

He slipped into the living room, coming to stand behind her and massaging her shoulders. "What can I do to help, sweetheart?"

"I don't know. I'm just not feeling Mozart tonight."

"As you've told me, what was he feeling when he wrote this down?"

"Well, I've got several Mozart biographies. One in particular talks about the time period when he composed this. But it's difficult to read . . . it's so complex."

"Is that book here?"

"Yes, over there in the bookshelf."

Jamie steps over to the bookshelf. "Which one?"

"The dark red binding . . . yes, that's it."

Jamie pulls the book out and comes back to her.

"Find the chapter, and let me read to you."

"Really?" She is astonished!

"Yes, let's sit on the couch. Relax, lay back and put your feet in my lap and I'll read."

She reclines, her feet in his lap and he starts.

She loves his voice; it is so calming. She listens carefully as he reads the author's account of this period in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life. She closes her eyes and can feel what Mozart was feeling. The emotions seem to swirl around her. Then SHE GETS IT! She slowly swings her feet to the floor. "Thank you, Jamie! I've got it now! I love you!" She gives him a quick kiss and returns to the bench, revived and ready to go.

As she starts again, he can immediately tell the difference. It's really true! Great musical performance is all about pouring the correct feeling into your playing.

He feels good that he has a role in her performance.

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CAPTAIN ESPINOZA'S OFFICE

"Jameson, come in and have a seat."

"Thanks captain. You summoned me?"

"Yes. Chief Wilson and I have been discussing the incident with officer Wells for some time. You remember the incident with the child trafficking case?"

"Yes, sir. His .900 batting average comment. Correct?"

"Correct. We are in a dilemma over what disciplinary measure to administer to you. We don't feel that we can do nothing."

"No, sir. That wouldn't sit well with the squad. You should do whatever you feel is appropriate, sir."

"And therein is the rub."

"Sir?"

"Both Chief Wilson and I feel that we would have done exactly the same as you did!"

"But that doesn't make it right, sir."

"Exactly. But why in HELL aren't you jumping up and down defending yourself? I don't understand you, Reagan!"

"Thank you, sir. I think."

Espinoza looks up at the ceiling, shaking his head.

"Dismissed."

"Sir?"

"Dismissed!"

"Thank you, sir." Jamie stands and leaves.

'What the hell?' He thinks.

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DINNER AT HOME

Caitlin had picked up reuben sandwiches for the 3 of them. She had some potato salad left-over from the weekend to pair with it. They sat down to eat.

"The weirdest thing happened with captain Espinoza today." Jamie starts.

"Your boss?" Jack surmises.

"Yeah. He wanted to talk about that child trafficking case I told you about a while back.

FLASHBACK

"Thanks captain. You summoned me?"

"Yes. Chief Wilson and I have been discussing the incident with officer Wells for some time. You remember the incident with the child trafficking case?"

"Yes, sir. His .900 batting average comment. Correct?"

"Correct. We are in a dilemma over what disciplinary measure to administer to you. We don't feel that we can do nothing."

"No, sir. That wouldn't sit well with the squad. You should do whatever you feel is appropriate, sir."

"And therein is the rub."

"Sir?"

"Both Chief Wilson and I feel that we would have done exactly the same as you did!"

"But that doesn't make it right, sir."

"Exactly. But why in HELL aren't you jumping up and down defending yourself? I don't understand you, Reagan!"

"Thank you, sir. I think."

Espinoza looks up at the ceiling, shaking his head.

"Dismissed."

END FLASHACK

"Just like that?" Caitlin asks.

"Just like that." Jamie reaffirms.

"What did he want?" Jack wonders.

"I'm not sure."

"Some kind of test, babe?"

"Maybe. But what was I supposed to do?"

"You did what I would have expected you to do."

"I know. I suppose I'll just wait and see what happens."

"Weird," Jack shakes his head.

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SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL

February 1, Jamie awaits his father at the airport. As usual when he is alone, he gets all the way out to the gate. His father's large figure is easy to spot as he emerges from the jetway.

"Hi dad!" Jamie exclaims as he gets and gives a bear hug. "It's great to see you finally here!"

"It's great to be here, son!" If you look closely, you might see a tear in the big man's eye. Maybe not.

"Welcome to your new home, dad!"

"Thanks. It's good to be here. Now to start the rest of our lives, eh?"

"Yup! Caitlin, Nicky and Jack are eager to see you!"

"Well then, let's go!" They head for baggage claim.

The west coast Reagans are complete!

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TBC