And love
Chap 50 Housewarming plus
JAMIE, EDDIE & GIRLS HOME
GG had been spending all week at the new home. He was working with Cassie and Mal on preparing hours' de oeuvres for the housewarming. He was teaching them some fancy stuff. Eu Claire bites; Krumkake, a Norwegian cone shaped cookie filled with lingonberry flavored whipped cream; Mexican flan; pinwheel sandwiches; ham & cheese on a Ritz; strawberry jam jelly roll and more. Some things would be made ahead and refrigerated; others would be prepared as the day went along. The kitchen would be busy!
Jamie and Eddie checked in periodically, and were amazed. Mary Rose was the official taster. She really enjoyed her task, but GG had to keep an eye on little fingers! Pops was in his element, the proteges were thrilled.
Jamie checked in with Carroll, all was on track regarding Joseph. Eddie was in charge of décor, she bossed Jamie. What was new?"
HOUSEWARMING, 12-5 PM
Deborah had given suggestions as to gifts. She had emphasized 1) 'pounding the family', i.e. giving them 1 pound of a foodstuff staple; or 2) contributing cash towards a) outdoors furniture for the backyard deck, or b) a backyard storage shed. She had collected enough cash for both purposes. She had craftsmen to build and deliver both items. Delivery would be shortly after the event was underway.
Joseph would be delivered 2 hours after the event started.
Pops had secured a miniature krumkake iron; fresh cookies were made during the event, and filled with fresh whipped flavored cream. The other items had been refrigerated beforehand. The girls were dressed as waitresses, and circulated periodically serving goodies and non-alcoholic beverages. Eddie took pictures and Timmy was doing some video recording.
2ND HOUR
1) a complete set of outdoor furniture was delivered: a large circular table with extra-large umbrella, and 6 chairs; 2 regular lounge chairs & 1 double lounger; comfy stuffed cushions for all.
2) a backyard storage shed, large enough to store the furniture (especially the cushions) during inclement weather, and some outdoor tools.
3RD HOUR
There was a knock on the back door. Jamie took the hand of Mary Rose and went to answer the door. (Eddie was organizing all guests to follow her out the back door)
At the door was Carroll, who invited Mary Rose to follow him to the barn. She and her dad followed Carroll; Mary Rose could hardly stand the walking pace! She doesn't notice the group following them. When they reach the barn, Carroll opens the door wide and ushers' father and daughter inside; he leaves the door, open for all to see the action. Jamie releases her hand and whispers in her ear, "There is a present in the far-left corner stall." He lets her hand go, and she takes off running. When she sees him, "JOSEPH, YOU CAME TO ME!" She unlatches the stall door, strides in and throws her arms around his neck. "Joseph, I love you!" Her pal emits several brays, then more soft grunts. He is happy too!
"Daddy, see him? Did you know?" She lovingly strokes his long nose, then his neck. She notices he has his saddle on. "Can I ride him, daddy?"
"Yes, but a walking pace only. And a couple times around the yardwith Carroll watching. Okay?"
"Ok, daddy."
Carroll helps her mount, and walks by her side. They pause from time to time to let guests pet Joseph. He responds with more happy sounds. After 2 laps Mary Rose walks Joseph back inside and Carroll starts the process of teaching her Joseph care. The rest of the guests return to the house and the party continues.
4TH HOUR
Deborah asked Eddie to join her in the home office; she is puzzled but follows. As they enter, Eddie notices that they are not alone.
"Eddie, I hope you don't mind but I've contacted some lawyer friends of ours. Let me introduce James and Sybil, Dan and Gloria, Bill and Wendy."
"Wow, of course I don't mind. I told you that I was looking to grow my paralegal practice out here on Long Island."
After hand shakes all around, some questions were asked, contact information shared and interviews agreed to. Eddie agreed to contact each office and get the ball rolling. Eddie was pleased to get this jump start. She and Jamie were wondering how long she needed to maintain her contract with Gwen and Julie in Manhattan. Travel time was becoming increasingly difficult.
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After all guests are gone, all the family pitch in for a quick clean-up. Then GG, Cassie & Mal whip up a quick supper. After which a more thorough clean-up is done. Then bedtime for the girls. Mary Rose has a hard time getting to sleep – as expected!
What a day!
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BEDTIME
"That was quite a day, wasn't it love?" Jamie sleepily asks through a yawn.
"Yeah . . . oh, I didn't tell you what happened close to the end."
"What did I miss, babe?" He's awake now. (She will pay a price)
"Deborah asked me to join her in our home office-
Eddie tells Jamie all about the lawyer introductions, and what it may mean to her paralegal practice.
"Wow, that is a real shot in the arm, love!"
"Yes, I hope that I can cut back to half time with Julie and Gwen soon. We shall see."
As they spoon, she snuggles closer to Jamie's chest; his right arm is gently rubbing circles on her tummy. The circles drift lower and lower.
"Jamie?"
"Oh sorry; tired, huh?"
"Yeah," she yawns.
"Ok." He shifts his geometry higher.
And higher.
He starts climbing a soft slope.
"Jamie?"
"Sorry." (Not)
"Really? You don't sound, or feel sorry, lover boy," she turns her head.
He turns his head, their lips meet.
Sleep can wait.
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4 WEEKS LATER
A big weekend is underway at Jamie and Eddie's home out on the island. They have a full house. Fortunately, all 3 extra downstairs bedrooms are large and have king-sized beds. Sleeping arrangements will be interesting, but all will be accommodated. Sleeping bags? Maybe. Barn? No, extra animals are here.
Guests include:
Paula and Joe Hill
Palmer and Deborah
Carroll, Charlene & Marlys (their daughter)
Tim and Sheryl (His girlfriend)
The Saddle Rock Ranch party have brought along 6 riding animals, in 3 double horse trailers; Eddie's Betsy; Cassie's small horse; Malina's pony, and 3 others. They all are comfortably ensconced in the barn along with Joseph. He welcomes his long-lost friends. He would like some company.
FLASHBACK
Just as the first horse trailer had pulled into the yard, the phone rang. Cassie answered, "Reagan residence, uncle Danny?" (Caller I/D)
"Yes, who is this?"
"This is Cassie, what can-
"Listen, tell my kid brother that we are coming out for the weekend. Can you handle that, kid?"
"Yes, but we are-
"Good. We'll be there in 2 hours, see ya."
"Wait uncle Danny!" The call is disconnected.
Cassie turns to find her dad when Mal shouts, "The horses are here, they're here!"
Jamie and all 3 girls dash out the back door to help unload the animals and get them settled in the barn.
The phone call is forgotten.
They have the weekend all planned: meals, sleeping arrangements, activities – riding at the top of the list.
Jamie even has secured the services of a local priest they have come to like; he has agreed to come and offer a short devotional before the Sunday brunch. And stay for the meal.
DANNY REAGAN RESIDENCE
As they are packing the car, Linda speaks up. "Danny, did you call Jamie? Is this ok with him and Eddie?"
"Yeah, I got Cathy-
"You mean Cassie?"
"Yeah, whoever. I got a girl on the phone, she was gonna tell the kid about our coming. I haven't heard that it's a problem."
"I better double check." Linda has a bad feeling.
"No need, Lin. Let'-s get packed and on the road. We helped them buy that house; it's ours too!"
Her consternation multiplies. That last comment could be an IED. She hopes not.
They do get packed, and they do hit the road.
2 HOURS LATER
The ladies have just given the 15-minute warning for supper. The front door chimes, "I'm on it," Jamie calls out. He trots to the entryway, Cassie right behind him.
He opens the door, sees who is there and steps outside. He closes the door behind him and looks down at his smart phone. He clicks a button and the front door locks click, locked. He clicks another button and the back door locks click, locked. Eddie hears the back door lock from her position in the kitchen. She wonders what's up; she peers out toward the front hall.
Cassie sees who is there; she freezes momentarily. Then she turns, starts to cry and dashes for the stairs – going up at a pell-mell pace.
Eddie sees her daughter's distress. She follows Cassie at the same pace.
Under the covered front entry are: Danny, holding a large cooler; Jack, holding a mid-sized cooler; Linda, carrying a large picnic basket; Sean, carrying 2 grocery shopping bags. All are smiling except Linda; her bad feeling is confirmed.
"Hey, kid. What's with the locked door? Can't you see we're carrying loads here?"
"Sorry, we have no room in the inn." Jamie looks his older brother straight in the eyes.
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TBC