AND LOVE CHAP 117
DO THE RIGHT THING!
A/N: A lot of Gregg and Annie in this chapter. If you don't want to read that, just skip to the next section. It should be obvious when to skip. I'll let you know at the end what happened.
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Eddie is in a quandary. She wants to believe Annie – when she admitted her wrong, when she apologized, and when she made a solemn promise. It felt right. It seemed to Eddie that Annie had met her future and was moving forward with him. Not looking back and crying over spilled milk – so to speak.
Eddie wanted Annie back on the training team. But she didn't wish to force Nicky to go against her mother; Erin was quite the mama bear when aroused. And Ed didn't know if she could count on Jamie at a time like this.
Jack.
Could she count on Nick's father? He and Erin had just gotten back together; he probably didn't have much emotional capital to spend.
What to do?
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ON THE SHORE
Annie and Gregg are cuddling on the couch as bedtime approaches.
"Gregg, my super chef?"
"Yes babe?"
"You outdid yourself with those fish tacos!"
"Pinterest, my dear." He nuzzles her neck.
"Family secrets, eh?"
"Yup. Hon, you've been down for a couple of days. What's the matter?"
"Nicky eliminated me from her training team."
"What! You're an excellent trainer. How many have you trained for the firm?"
"Four."
"And they worked out excellent. Right?"
"Yes, and after the obligatory 2-years with us they went on to larger firms & 5-6 figure salaries."
"So, the problem is?"
"The Reagans."
"What?"
"Some of Jamie's family refuse to think that I'm over him & me. That I still want a 2nd chance. That I'm being nice in order to wait and find a weak moment, then attack."
"They said this?"
"Not in words. Attorneys learn to read actions, body language, things not said but thought."
"You are good at that."
"We all are. My dad is a master!"
"So?"
"I was hoping that you and I could be good family friends with Jamie and Eddie." A wistful tone in her voice.
"I thought that was happening?"
"I did too. Then I was tossed from the team!"
"What to do, babe?"
"I don't know. Erin is a hard ass. You seldom get anywhere with her by a frontal assault."
"So, where is the back door?"
"Don't know, yet."
They soon meander down the hall.
NEXT MORNING – BREAKFAST TABLE
"Last night was . . . –
"Incredible! I mean, we are always good together. Even great. But-
"I'm all in, Gregg." She smiles shyly.
"Annie, I-
She gets up, comes round the table, and lightly kisses his cheek. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."
She disappears down the hall, only to return in 2". She comes to his side and places a small blue box on his plate. She returns to her seat, and sits. She crosses her legs and waits.
He looks down at the box. "Where-
"I've known where it was all along. We've been here twice before. Remember?"
"Oh, yes. And you said-
"I didn't say no. I said not yet. Both times."
"And now?" The hopeful look on his face almost makes her laugh. Almost.
"As I said; Gregg Wells, I am all in!"
Gregg picks up the box, opens it and takes out the diamond ring that he purchased 3 years ago. He goes around to her side and kneels on one knee.
"Annie Davenport, will you marry me?"
"Yes Gregg, I will marry you."
He reaches for her left hand and gently slides her ring on her 4th finger. He takes her right hand and leads her down the hall.
FINALLY!
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ON THE ISLAND
Eddie and Nicky are working through a lesson in the home office.
RING, THE HOUSE PHONE
"Eddie Reagan here."
"Mrs. Reagan, professor Chapman of NYU. How are you and Nicky coming along with the proscribed lessons?"
"Good. We are on schedule."
"That is good to hear. I am calling about the track that Annie Davenport was teaching Nicky. I am sure you and Nick understand that if Annie isn't brought back onto the team, the timeline for the completion of training will be adversely affected."
"Professor, this is Nicky. Yes, I understand that. Do you have an estimate as to how much more time my training will take?"
"Probably 4-6 months. Annie is an excellent trainer. Losing her was a real blow. I'm sure you realize that. Is there any chance of getting her back?"
"It seems unlikely, professor." Nicky softly answers.
"When I spoke with her, she was surprised that she was no longer on the team. Can you enlighten me?"
Eddie and Nicky look at each other.
Eddie responds, "It's a complicated family matter, professor."
"Well, in the meantime we here at NYU will get together and work out an adjusted timeline for Nicky. That probably will involve extra time here on campus. I'm sure you understand that."
"I do, sir," Nicky admits. Call ended.
"Damn!"
"Bad word, bad, bad," AJ had just slipped into the office.
Nicky picked him up, enveloped him in her arms "Sorry, buddy." She kissed the top of his head. She set him down.
He toddled over to mom and received the same. "Where is Patrick, sweetheart?"
"Kitchen, we hongi mommy!"
Eddie looks over at the clock, 10:45. "Yes, baby, it is snack time isn't it."
"I'll get that," Nick volunteers. She grasps AJ by the hand and they head for the kitchen.
RING – EDDIE'S CELL
"Eddie Reagan, who's calling please?"
"Eddie, it's Priscilla. George and I were wondering if that Dobson file is finished and ready for pickup?"
'Dobson file? Damn!' "Hi Priscilla, that file will be ready by end-of-day. I can drop it off if that would be helpful?"
"That would be nice, dearie. We have a conference call at 10:00 tomorrow."
"You will have it, I promise. Bye."
"Bye, Eddie."
Eddie starts searching.
"What was that?" Nicky has returned.
"My 1st clients out here ON THE ISLAND. About a file I should have finished and returned days ago."
Nicky drops her head, face in hands. "This is all my fault!"
"NO, NO! This is not your fault. I let some things slip, that I shouldn't have. You and I can learn a lesson here, Nick. Lawyer clients are not patient people. We need to keep our word, do what we say we will. Period!"
"I get that. Years observing my mother taught me that."
"And being married to a Harvard educated ex-lawyer should have taught me the same."
They shared a fist bump.
RING – EDDIE'S CELL
Eddie and Nicky look at each other.
"Eddie Reagan here."
"Eddie, this is Gloria. Dan and I are wondering when the Simms file will be finished?"
"End 0f day today, Gloria. Is that ok?"
"Yes, we have an important meeting with them at 1:00 tomorrow. We really appreciate your fine work, Eddie."
"Thanks Gloria. I will deliver it today."
"We look forward to seeing you, bye."
"Bye, Gloria."
Eddie looks to Nicky. "Guess which 2 files jumped to the top of my TODO stack?"
"I don't need to guess. I've got the boys."
"Nick-
She's gone.
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5:30 PM
"Mal, do you have supper well in hand?" She's gathering files, about to start her delivery run.
"Yes, mommy. Spaghetti is about to drop, and I'm using Prego tonight to keep it simple. I even found some French bread I didn't remember we had."
"I hope the oven will soften it, as it warms."
"It will."
Eddie heads for the door to the garage.
"Go, go. Go with mommy," AJ pleads.
"This isn't an exciting trip, AJ."
"Go, go, please." He is about to cry.
She relents.
"I'll come and watch AJ," Patrick proclaims.
"OK, come on." The boys grab their jackets and run after mommy. They scramble into the Porsche.
GEORGE & PRISCILLA
"My, what cute boys," Priscilla gushes. "We have 2 grandsons about the same age."
"Thank you, here is that promised file. Please look it over to see that it meets your expectations."
George takes the file and pages through it. "Excellent work Eddie. Do you have your invoice?"
"Yes, right here. I gave you a 10% discount for tardiness."
"Nonsense!" Priscilla declares. "I'll be right back."
She disappears into their home office, returning with a check.
Eddie looks at the check, "Oh, no, I-
"Eddie, my dear. Take it with our thanks for your good work. Please?" (A 5% bonus!)
Eddie gives the couple each a hug. Priscilla sinks to her knees and opens her arms. AJ and Patrick, in turn, go to her for a hugs and kiss atop the head.
DAN & GLORIA
The procedure is duplicated; except for the bonus and gushing over the kids. The lawyer couple is appreciative of her good, thorough work.
Mom and boys pack into the Porsche and head for home. "Boys, let's make a stop."
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Porsche Huntington
With her boys standing close by her side she asks, "Is Gregg Wells available, please?"
"Mrs. Reagan, great to meet you! I'm Jimmy, the assistant manager. Yes, I think so. He was about to leave for home; let me see." He disappears down a hall.
Soon Jimmy and Gregg appear; the boss wearing a leather jacket.
"Eddie! Great to see you. What can I do for you? Car trouble?"
"No, do you have time for a short talk?"
"UNCLE GREGG!" Two small boys' shout.
Gregg kneels (a la Priscilla), and gathers the boys for a hug. "Follow me."
They go to his office. He sits behind his desk. A young boy on each knee, and awaits Eddie's question, or whatever.
"Well, I wanted to talk about Nicky's training." Eddie hesitatingly starts.
"Ah . . . that's Annie's area you know." He frowns.
"Of course. But do you think she would be amenable to coming back on the team?"
Gregg pauses. "Wow, that's complicated. A term you may have used yourself." He smirks.
"I have. This is probably unfair-
"It is. I'll say this. Annie hasn't said anything, to me, along those lines, specifically."
"I'm not surprised."
"But I have some news that I think I can share." He raises his left hand, "If I were Annie – you would see something sparkling here!"
Eddie covers her mouth with a free hand. "You got engaged?"
"Last evening. Fresh news. Please keep it under your hat, for now."
"I will. Congratulations! You two are a great couple."
"Yup, 5 years. Going on forever!" Gregg smiles broadly.
He sets the boys down and comes around the desk to hug Eddie. The boys do the same, though not really knowing all the situation.
Eddie leads the way out, a tear in her eye.
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TBC
So, 2 more Annie/Gregg related things to settle. Before they slip off center stage and into the wings. They will reappear from time to time. Never fear.
Yes, dearie. It is a JAMKO story!