AND LOVE CHAP 146
Christmas
ON THE ISLAND
A/N: A lot of Cassie/Josh through Christmas.
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It is a crisp mid-December day. Jamie and Eddie are bundled up and are doing a rare thing, very rare. They are going on a trail ride together, just the two of them. Eddie on Betsy and Jamie on Hero. After getting all set up, they mount and are off. It takes Eddie a little time to get adjusted to being in the saddle. As they settle in, they talk.
"So, which of those contractors did you like better," he asks his wife.
"The 2nd one. They were a touch more expensive, but I liked how they worked together as a husband-and-wife team."
"Yeah, they kind of reminded me of us." He muses.
"Really? I didn't get that vibe. Anyway, did you ask dad about money?"
"Yes, no go. What with the 2nd part of the plan."
"Oh . . . the California vacation?"
"Yup! He bought into that, but he'll need to convince Kelly."
"Will that be a challenge, do you think?"
"Scheduling wise, yes. She will love the idea, but taking the time off will be an issue."
"I thought that she has like 2 years vacation coming!"
"She does, apparently. But scheduling coverage is the issue. That is the rub with not taking vacation regularly. If you let it build up too far, you essentially lose it."
She stares at him.
"What?" He knows what is coming.
"Do I happen to know anyone in that position?" She smirks.
"I have no idea." He smiles.
"Yeah, right."
They ride on, enjoying the clear, crisp day. Betsy and Hero seem to be enjoying it too. They stop about half way out; they give each horse an apple for a treat. Eddie shares some trail mix and bottled water.
"We should do this more often." She sighs.
"Yes, we should."
Comfortable silence.
They resume riding.
"Tell me this . . . are you comfortable with Cassie and Josh?" Eddie wonders.
"I am. You?" He glances over at her.
"Yes, I am. There for a while I wondered if they were going too fast." Eddie posits.
"You mean the birth control thing?"
"Yeah . . . and with his folk's accident. I . . . he was leaning on her a lot. I mean a lot! I wasn't sure that she was ready for that, you know?"
"I know . . . but as I watched that I was so proud of her! She supported him like a champ! It was beautiful."
"Have you told her this, dad?"
He paused. "No, I have not. I must do that."
"Yes, when one of the kids deserves praise – we must be there for them. And give it to them."
"Amen to that," He whispers.
They stop and turn their mounts around, towards home. He looks at her and grins.
"Jamie-
He is off at a gallop. A gait she is not as comfortable with as he is. 'Oh, well. Let's get used to this girl.' She gives Betsy some heel, and some rein; she is 2nd to the barn.
After putting things away; and a good rub down they enter the back door. And resume the bedlam of life ON THE ISLAND!
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3 WEEKS POST THANKSGIVING
ON THE ISLAND – FAMILY ROOM
Josh has been getting daily updates from the ICU nurses and/or the physicians on the status of his parents. There has been no change, no improvement in all this time. This is one of the hardest things for families to work their way through.
Eddie is doing some work in the office. Jamie, Josh and Cassie are relaxing in the FR.
"Daddy, build with Legos please," Pat & AJ plead nicely.
"Ok, dump them down here. We'll build while I talk with Josh."
"Sissy, you help?"
"Sure," Cassie and Josh join in. They sit down, Indian style.
"Josh, what's the status of the house where you and your folks live?"
"I guess there is a mortgage. I am not really sure."
"Did they confide in you, about any affairs such as that?"
Josh snorts, "Hell no!"
"Do you know where the important papers are?"
"Yes, but I can't get to them. They are in a big safe."
"Combination?"
"Yup, but I don't know it. Their lawyer might."
"Who is that?"
"William Dalton."
"No AJ. Put that there. That's better, son."
Jamie makes a call. "Annie, Jamie. Got a minute?"
He listens for a moment, "Ok, call me back."
"I'm calling Annie, to see if she knows that attorney."
"I doubt it! He's crooked."
"Why do-
RING
"Jamie here. Annie, I'm on speaker with Josh and Cassie."
"Hi guys. Gregg is on with me. What's up?"
"You know about Josh's parents?"
"Yes, Eddie shared some."
"Well, Josh and I were talking about the house and such. He mentioned their lawyer, a William Dalton-
"WHAT? Did you say Bill Dalton?"
"Yes, so-
"Jamie, secure everything financial that you can immediately! Papers, last will, anything to do with owned property. The works! If there is a safe, remove it from the premises under Josh's permission. Stow it in a secure storage area now. I can give you two names of places-
"Whoa! What's-
"Jamie & Josh, that lawyer is as crooked as the day is long. Get everything of any value out of his reach ASAP, please."
"Got it. Talk later."
"Wait, Jamie. Do you need a name or two of a reputable private security agency?"
"We might. I gotta go, can you give that info to Eddie?"
"Yes. Have her call me in 30. Bye."
"Bye."
Silence.
"Josh, let's you and me do a drive by. Maybe a look see, keys?"
"Got 'em."
"We go in 3."
"Can I-
"No, Cassie. Not this time. Stay here with mom, please."
"Ok, daddy."
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JOSH'S HOUSE
"When were you here last?"
They are parked in the driveway.
"One week ago."
"What purpose?"
"To get some clothes and such."
"Ok, as we look around, tell me if anything seems out of place. Anything."
"Ok."
They enter and Jamie starts taking pictures.
"Where is the safe?"
"There is one in the office." Josh leads the way. The door is locked. None of Josh's keys work.
"Do I have permission to p\ick the lock?" Jameson asks.
"Yes."
"Let's get that in writing." They do.
Jamie picks the lock, immediately an alarm sounds.
Josh panics!
"Calm down, son. Let's wait here and see if anyone shows up."
Jamie calls Eddie to alert her to their situation.
"Josh, please go and make sure the front door is unlocked." He does.
5' later a sheriffs car pulls up; lights, but no sirens. Jamie and Josh can see 2 deputies get out. They draw their weapons and advance slowly up the front walk.
Jamie has had Josh and himself remove their jackets and drape them over a chair. They stood in the middle of the LR; their ID in their hands. Jamie's gun in his rear waistband.
The deputies slowly opened the door. "Hello, is anybody here?"
"Yes, we are in the living room. I have a weapon in my rear waist band," Jamie announces.
The deputies slowly approach, watching all around them.
"Good technique, gentlemen," Jamie comments.
"And you would-
"Wait Dale. This is-
"NYPD PC Jameson Reagan, yes. Do you guys know whose house this is?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Allen, sir."
"Yes, and this is Josh, their son. He is staying with my family while his parents are in the hospital. I came over here with him to get some clothes and such. We were attempting to enter the office, to ensure that all was secure when the alarm was triggered. Apparently, that alerted you."
"No, sir. A William Dalton notified us."
"Through your office?"
"No, sir. Directly."
"Is it SOP for a private attorney to have the phone number of deputies on patrol? And to notify them directly when an alarm sounds at a private residence?"
"Well . . . ah, it happens, sir."
"It does? At other private residences? And other attorneys?"
"No sir. Just Mr. Dalton."
Jamie turns around, "Please secure my weapon while
I make a call." The closest deputy does.
Jamie dials; "Dad, I need agent Holden at Josh's home ASAP. And a 24-hour watch. Here is the address." He holds the phone out to Josh.
"Deputies, the FBI will secure this house shortly. If you get any calls from Mr. Dalton, ignore them. Understand."
"Yes, sir. The sheriff isn't going to be happy."
"Tell him to call me." Jamie hands each deputy a business card.
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The FBI secured the house and its contents. The premises was a gold mine as to the drug trade ON THE ISLAND.
Josh was able to secure his parents last will & testament; along with all important papers, bank account info, and other personal stuff before Mr. Dalton could get his hands on them.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen passed away d/t respiratory failure 5 days before Christmas.
It would be a subdued Christmas ON THE ISLAND.
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Between Christmas and the new year, Josh had some business to attend to. He retained Annie to represent him in all these details. First, his sole ownership of the house was established. There were no other siblings, or other close relatives to contend with. The house was appraised at $900,000 – it could have been higher had it been kept in reasonable shape. It wasn't. The status, of the house, probably a sale, world be dealt with after the new year.
Annie set her new p/t paralegal to work sorting through all the papers, bank accounts, stocks/bonds and all other owned assets. Nicky was excited to get her 1st case from Annie's firm. That it was helping Josh and Cassie was an added bonus.
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CHRISTMAS
Annie & Gregg have invited Jimmy & Nicky as well as Josh & Cassie for Christmas dinner. Gregg was cooking and planned on eating at 4 PM. Cassie and Josh had a special present for their hosts; their special present to each other would be presented at home.
A/G and J/N did their own present giving at home after breakfast.
ON THE ISLAND
Christmas morning breakfast was chaos!
"Why don't we have any bagels?"
"I want strawberry jam! We only have grape."
"I wanted my eggs over hard! These yolks are runny, I HATE RUNNY! YUCK!"
"Where did the leftover baked potatoes go? I was going to make a frittata."
"Cassie took the last honey-nut Cheerios."
"Deal with it, Patrick."
"Josh spilled his OJ!"
"Cass bumped me."
"Did not!"
"Did so!"
"Where are the grownups?"
"Grownup and left home," snickers.
"I'm gonna eat in the barn."
"NO, YOU ARE NOT!"
"Did you put chocolate chips in the pancake batter, daddy?"
"No."
"You said-
"Did not."
Crying.
"I feel sick!"
Little boy hustled to the bathroom, by the QB!
"Thanks, Josh!" When he returned.
"No worries. CASS, WHERE DID MY TOAST GO?"
"You snooze; you lose."
"I thought you liked me?"
"I do. I love toast and jam! One of my fav things, the song says."
He kissed her cheek.
"Yuck, not while I am eating!"
THEY MAKE IT TO PRESENTS
Jamie and Eddie gave each other new riding outfits. They plan more trail rides together. A benefit of a large family.
Malina gets a set of stainless-steel kitchen utensils, and another set of cookbooks. These books are Italian, French, Kosher/Halal, Chinese, Mexican & Thai. She is lost in the Thai book.
Mary Rose has a huge box from Frank/Kelly & Jack/Erin. She opens it and dissolves into tears. It is a mew riding saddle for Maddie! It has Maddie/MR burned into it. She hugs it, weeping.
Patrick and AJ each get some new clothes (Yippee). They also get an assortment of books, and a race car set with a figure-of-eight track. They want to set it up immediately. Mom halts that.
JOSH & CASSIE GO LAST
Josh pulls out a small, velvet jewelry box.
Eddie gasps. 'What happened to SLOW?'
Jamie grimaces, losing color in his face.
"WHAT?" The kids exclaim.
Cassie hastens to explain. "I was thinking about a graduation present for Josh. And I was thinking about a present that would help him remember me, and me him, after he left for Rutgers." She motions for him to continue.
"We talked about options: name bracelets, a framed photo, promise rings. We settled on promise rings. And it so happened that we went shopping with Jimmy and Nicky!"
"For her ring?" Eddie questioned.
"Yes."
"What does a promise ring promise?" Mal wonders.
"Well." Josh opens the box and pulls out 2 rings. He hands the larger ring to Cassie; he keeps the smaller one. "That one has Cassie engraved on the inside," he points to the larger ring in her hand; "This one has Josh engraved," he holds up the smaller ring in his hand.
"What does that mean," Mary Rose asks.
"When Cassie wears the ring with my name," she holds out her left hand and he slides the smaller ring on her 4th finger-
"I promise to date only Josh. And when he wears my ring," he holds out his left hand and she slides the larger ring on his 4th finger. "He promises to date only me."
"Cool," Mary Rose whispers as a tear trickles down her cheek.
"So, instead of waiting for his graduation, we decided to make them Christmas presents – and his graduation present," Cassie wraps it up. They seal it with a chaste kiss.
ON THE SHORE
Cassie and Josh arrive just before 4:00.
They enter with a wrapped present: beautiful white & silver paper with a red ribbon and bow. "Before we sit, we have a present for our hosts," Josh motions to Cassie.
She bows slightly, and hands Annie the gift.
"You didn't have to, guys."
"Yes, wed did. It's way overdue!"
"Oh . . . well, let's see what we have," Annie starts to unwrap the gift. Inside is a white wedding album. It brings tears to her eyes as she remembers that day several months back. She plops down on the couch and begins looking through it.
"5 minutes, babe. We need to sit at the table," Gregg tells her.
"Yes," she snaps the album closed and stands.
Gregg has prepared poached Atlantic Salmon, scratch mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, carrots baked in peppered milk and a relish tray. He served a non-alcoholic wine, or San Pellegrino sparkling water. And chocolate cake, of course.
After eating they retired to the LR. They looked at the album and then Annie saw a flash drive. She inserted it into the port on their smart TV. At the prompt she pressed PLAY.
They view a 1-hour video montage; from pre-wedding, wedding ceremony, to post wedding hi-jinks. They laughed, cried and everything in between.
Gregg & Annie were thrilled.
"You are going to Rutgers for video production?" Gregg asks.
"To learn or to teach?" Annie posits.
"C'mon," Cassie blushes.
"Do you have a copy of that video?" Jimmy asks.
"Yes, but only for my family. And if it's ok with Gregg and Annie."
"That's fine," Annie and Gregg agree.
"Wow, I would like to see Jamie and Eddie's faces when they see this," Gregg laughs.
"Amen to that," Nicky agrees. "We will have to invite you over for a showing!"
"Yes," all shout.
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TBC