AND LOVE CHAP 157
Feelings
ON THE ISLAND – BARN
Cassie and Josh are doing chores tonight.
"Josh, how does it feel to be rich," she probes.
"Well, it hasn't really hit me yet. I really don't know."
"Is it . . . ah, going to change you? I mean . . . I shouldn't have-
"Cass, do I seem different, somehow?" He stops mucking out Maddie's stall and turns to face Cassie.
"Not yet . . . I just hope you don't let it go to your head. I mean, I hear about rich & famous people and they seem like people I wouldn't, I don't know-
"Cassie," he walks over to her and pulls her close. "I love you, you ground me. Your entire family is one I would like to emulate someday."
"I love you too," she kisses his cheek.
He goes on, "The other night I was having a hard time sleeping. And little AJ came over and comforted me. That was special – it was something money cannot buy. I'll never forget that."
They hugged and resumed work.
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BAPTISM / WEDDING
The entire family celebrated July 4 with a picnic and fireworks show in Central Park, Manhattan. They had 3 large blankets spread out with various foods laid out to select from. There was a sound stage close enough to enjoy the music, and dance on the grass if the spirit moved you.
After supper and before dark, Josh and Cassie took the younger kids who desired on a horse drawn carriage 1-hour tour of NYC.
After the fireworks, Nicky joined her mom and dad at Bay Ridge. The traditional bride in seclusion night. Jimmy thought it was ridiculous. Nicky insisted.
VENUE
Erin and Jack left this decision up to the younger couple. It was, after all, Nicky's 1st (And forever?) wedding. Nicky had thought of a grand wedding at St Patrick's cathedral in Manhattan. Jimmy grimaced at the thought. Nicky noticed, and finally decided on the comfortable home church – St Angelus, Brooklyn. Jimmy relaxed.
BAPTISM
Josh Allen, Cassie at his side; Jimmy Collins, Nicky at his side; and Jack Boyle, Erin at his side stood before the baptismal fount. Archbishop Kevin Kearns recited the traditional vows, the men each repeated them in turn. The prelate proceeded to sprinkle each candidate in turn. After handshakes, pictures and kisses of congratulations the 2 bridal parties separated to prepare for the nuptials.
Nicky and her mother had 2 vigorous debates about wedding participants. While the close-knit family meant that many of the same people could serve both couples; there were some differences. They settled with:
BRIDE – Nicky Reagan-Boyle.
Matron of Honor – Edit Reagan.
Bridesmaids – Cassie Reagan, Annie Davenport.
GROOM – Jimmy Collins.
Best man – Gregg Wells.
Groom's men – Gary Diggs, Josh Allen.
BRIDE- Erin Reagan.
Matron of honor – Linda Reagan.
Bridesmaids – Kelly O'Shea, Paula Hill.
GROOM – Jack Boyle.
Best man – Jameson Reagan.
Groom's men – Danny Reagan, Frank Reagan.
Bible boy – ring bearer: Patrick & AJ Reagan.
The two groups processed sequentially – the men standing behind their ladies at the altar.
The service also proceeded sequentially; Erin & Jack going 1st. Nicky & Jimmy last.
Bev Walden & Michael Dixon (Bayside Café chef) collaborated on the cake and reception.
Erin and Jack were taken by limo to spend one night at the Plaza hotel. This is their 3rd honeymoon. Sort of.
HONEYMOON J/N
Nicky and Jimmy were whisked to JFK to catch a flight.
"Where are we going, Jimmy-o-mine?" Nick grins.
"Wherever the plane takes us, my dear." He grins right back.
She stops in the middle of the concourse. (She hadn't paid any attention to what the curbside baggage attendant had said to Jimmy)
"Just a couple more gates, my dear." He grabs her wrist and leads on.
"Hmpf, I better like it, Jimbo!"
"Guaranteed." They walk on. Soon a gate that says HONOLULU appears.
"Hawaii! I love you Jimmy!" They board, window and middle seats. Of course, the better to snuggle. After a LONG flight they land.
"Oh, it's so good to stretch my legs," Nicky moans as they walk down the concourse. They pass the turn to baggage claim; "Jimmy, we missed the turn!"
He smiles.
"Oh, we're connecting?"
"Yes, another short (NOT) flight." An exaggeration that she will forgive him for. He hopes.
"Maui?"
"No."
"Kauai?"
"No."
"The big island!"
"Nope."
"Lanai?"
"No airport on Lanai."
"Not on Molokai either, no airport. Jimmy!"
They walk almost to the end of the concourse.
"Where are we . . . ARE YOU KIDDING ME? SYDNEY AUSTRALIA?" She throws herself into his arms, hugging and kissing with gusto.
"You like?"
"I love!"
They board and get settled. How did they end up here?
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FLASHBACK – 4 WEEKS AGO
ON THE SHORE
Jimmy had asked to talk with Gregg and Annie. They invited him over for supper, after work.
"What's up Jimmy," Annie asks.
"Well . . . I am wondering if you can help me out? Maybe a loan, or something?"
Gregg and Annie look at each other. "No loans, buddy!" Gregg exclaims. "If we help, and we probably will, it will be a gift to a friend. Now start at the beginning."
"Ok, this double wedding thing. At first, I was all in. Now I wish it was just Nick and me. But I can't back out; even though she is having 2nd thoughts too – her mom is gung-ho! Nicky won't disappoint her mother. And I get that."
"A dilemma," Annie sees the issue. Her laser, lawyer mind going straight to the bullseye.
"Yup. So to compensate, so to speak, I would like to do an extra special honeymoon. But I'm not financially ready for that. So-
"Wait," Annie stops him. She looks to Gregg; he nods and smiles. "Gregg and I are having a devil of a time deciding on a wedding gift for the two of you."
"Whoa, wait-
"Jimmy, a life lesson from your boss. Free of charge."
Annie laughs.
"Never look a gift horse in the mouth."
"But-
"Where do you want to take Nicky?"
"Well . . . ah-
"WHERE?" Gregg commands his protégé.
"Australia?" He whispers.
"DONE! We will arrange everything and have boarding passes, rental cars, hotels – all to you 1-week prior to the wedding," Annie grins.
Gregg isn't done, "Anything else?"
"What? I-
"Is there anything else you need to make this special?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"Do we look like we are joking?"
"No, sir!"
"Why does he do that?" Gregg asks his wife.
"You can be intimidating at times, honey."
"You aren't-
"That's me. HARVARD TOUGH."
Gregg shakes his head, "Don't mind her," he says to the kid.
They embrace and part.
'I don't believe that'. Jimmy thinks.
1-week pre wedding, Gregg gave Jimmy a fat manila envelope. "Enjoy, kiddies!"
"Thanks, boss!"
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The wide-body aircraft drones on. Winging its way down under. Nicky is sound asleep on Jimmy's shoulder. He is thumbing through brochures. Planning their days – and nights.
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ON THE ISLAND
The ownership group is meeting at the Reagan Ranch. They are starting the planning process for the Bayside Café. Mal is meeting with them.
Edie starts, "Mal, sweetheart, this group has purchased ownership in the Bayside Café. That restaurant is up on Long Island sound."
"Have I ever been there?"
"No, I don't think any of us have. But cousin Nicky and Jimmy got engaged there. This opportunity came about through a business contact of Annie's (easy way to describe, to avoid Cassie's graduation present)
"Ok."
"We thought of you and your skill and interest in culinary arts. Taking the long view – we thought it might be a way for you to work and grow in your desired field," dad continued.
"You mean work there?"
"Yes," Grandpa adds. "And work up to owning the place eventually." He smiles at his grand-daughter.
"What if I don't like it?"
"We aren't forcing anything on you, Mal." Mom hastens to add. "Just listen as we talk. And add something if you'd like."
"Ok."
"Now the chef, Michael Dixon. What do we know about him," Kelly asks.
"Virtually nothing, I think." Frank inputs. "Should we do a background check?"
"Yes, I'll take care of that." Jameson agrees.
"Has anyone eaten there? What is the food, the service like," Gregg wonders.
"No one has any input.
"I have people that do occasional evaluations of Christmas karaoke. I have a form for that – here is a copy." Gregg hands out copies.
"You can see the categories to evaluate, and the scoring scale to use."
"Gregg and I can do the data entry, and report regularly to this team."
"Question – is this whole team going to work on all of this? Or are we going to split up?" Frank asks.
"Good question," Eddie muses.
"I'm wondering if we all should meet as we get acquainted with what we are doing," Gregg opines.
All heads nod.
"When should we bring Beverly into the conversation?"
"Beverly?" Mal picks up her head.
"Yes, sweetie. We are wondering if she would be interested in having the café be her home base," Jamie says. "What about that?"
"Well, she has complained about having to do all the work from her home. She might be interested."
Eddie adds, "Why don't Mal and I talk with her?"
All heads nod again.
"I have a restaurant operating software package at Xmas. We only do drinks and snacks, so the software is really underused. We could add Bayside. If they don't already have software, that is."
"We have a lot to learn!" Frank exclaims.
"Good thing we are all smart!" Kelly laughs. "I never anticipated starting a new career."
"Yup! I'm finding it exhilarating!" Eddie puts out there.
"So, in addition to our individual assignments, we all should start eating there occasionally and evaluating. Right?"
"Yes. Different times and different dishes," Gregg clarifies. He tells them to make copies of the eval sheet; and get filled out copies back to him at Huntington Porsche, or their home.
The group disburses.
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AFTERWARDS
"Mal, sweetie. What do you think?" Mom asks.
"I don't know mom. A lot of that went over my head."
"I'm sure," dad understands. "What do you think of eventually owning a café or restaurant?"
"Well . . .-
"Jamie," Eddie cautions. "Sweetheart, do you think that you'll never want to do that?"
"No, I wouldn't say that. It's just overwhelming, you know?" She grasps mom's arm and bolds tight.
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L8R MBR
"Jamie, I think we should not involve Mal in this high level, strategic planning stuff."
"I guess you are right. I was just-
"I know, love. It's just that she is still on the level of cook and dish washer. You know?"
"I do. I guess that I was thinking that she was on our level."
"I get that. Our girls have been so mature in much of their thinking. Mal is only 13 for god's sake. Let's allow her to be a young girl, please."
"I'm with you babe."
They embrace and tumble into bed.
"Is the red cord in place?" She whispers.
"Yes, ma'am. We're good to go!"
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TBC
A/N: Question. Does anyone remember how old Jamie and Sydney were when they split? I have the ages of the kids nailed, I think. The 'old folks'? Help me if you can.