AND LOVE CHAP 124

Other things

SUNDAY – POST THURSDAY WEDDING

ON THE SHORE

The newly weds have invited the entire wedding party to join them for a day on the shore – the Atlantic shore of Long Island. The day started with Sunday brunch, then gravitated to outdoor activities. They had rented 2 additional duo sea kayaks, so a total of 4. When a child rode, s/he had an adult along. Cassie was close to resenting this, close.

Marty/Kensi were paddling along next to Annie/Gregg. The guys were bantering back and forth about cars. Marty was extolling the versatility of his F-150; Gregg was ridiculing guys who drove trucks. Kensi (in front) surreptitiously caught Annie's eye. She gave her a slight roll over motion, Annie slightly nodded. With her hand in front of her, Kens counted down 3-2-1, then with a shout the girls rolled their guys. (And themselves)

"You did that again," Marty sputtered* as he came up on the other side."

"Annie Wells*! You bad, bad girl!" Gregg choked out.

Kensi's cackle was matched by Annie's belly laugh.

"You guys are just too easy!" Kensi gloated, she and Annie shared a long-distance high-five.

LATER

M/K, G/A, J/N, J/E & kids are left. Jamie brings up the birthday party.

"We were suggesting that the party be at Bay Ridge this year," he looks to Eddie. She nods OK to go on.

"But with the uncertainty surrounding dad's retirement-

"Frank?" Annie gasps.

"Yeah, probably retiring. We aren't sure."

Gregg and Annie look at each other, she nods to him.

"May we suggest something," Gregg puts out there.

"Absolutely," Jamie agrees. He was hoping for this; he and Eddie are not comfortable yet asking or outright suggesting things to Annie and Gregg.

"My firm has purchased the next-door property," Annie tells the group. "It's currently being made over. Marty and Kensi, you may remember it has a spacious back yard."

Gregg spouts, "I doubt they noticed, seeing as they were running across it with guns drawn!"

"WHAT! Like on TV?" Mary Rose explodes.

"Ah, not exactly," Marty quiets her down.

"Anyway, it should be ready by mid-October. As a senior partner I will have privileges regarding use."

"Nice," Jimmy spouts. "What will be there?"

"Lodging, full kitchen, hot tub & spa. The back yard will have a sport court for croquet, badminton, lawn bowling, bocce or lawn darts."

"I thought lawn darts were banned," Kensi wonders.

"Only in California," Gregg smirks. "Gotcha!" He points at Marty.

"Yup, you do!"

"So, will that be ready anytime in October?"
Eddie asks.

"We can wait," Mal pipes up.

Jamie and Eddie look at each other, then at their kids. "If we wait?" He looks at Annie & Gregg.

Gregg nods to Annie, "The place will be available. We will be happy to host," she says. Beaming.

"YEAH!" The kids swarm aunt Annie and uncle Gregg.

Gregg gives a word of caution, "The later in October, the more uncertain the ocean is for kayaking."

Everyone nods in understanding.

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1-PP; LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM

3 WEEKS LATER

Lt. Jameson Reagan steps up to Abigail Baker's desk, expecting to be waved on in to the PC's office. Instead, "Follow me, Lieutenant." Abby extends her hand; he follows her around to the door to the large conference room. Where COMSTAT meets regularly, for instance.

She opens the door, ushering him in. As Abby takes a seat, he sits in the only other one available.

He looks around at an assembly of the exec team, plus 3 captains and 2 Lieutenants.

"Quite an assemblage," he quips. As he looks around, he knows everyone – some only tangentially. He sees no enemies. Some quite good friends.

Captain Wells starts. "Lieutenant Reagan. Thank you for joining us. You undoubtedly are aware that the current PC is in process of retiring."

"He's told me as much," Jamie smirks.

Chuckles and nods around the table.

"This group has been charged with recommending to the mayor a replacement. We have met 4 times, discussed several names, engaged in vigorous discussion (much nodding of heads) and one name keeps ending up at the top of our list. Yours."

Jamie blanches. He's not totally surprised, but damn. Can he do this? Does he want to do this? He doesn't know.

"But Lt. to PC? Quite a step, isn't it?"

"Yes, but it has been done. And, if you recall when the MCU was formed; and you were put in charge, it was recommended that you be advanced to captain. If that had happened, you would be a captain now. A much more common jump. Your thoughts?"

"Ah . . . I really don't desire that job," he holds out his hands, palms up.

A Lieutenant speaks up, "Jamie, that is often cited as a plus for you."

"PC is a civilian position, correct?" Jamie wonders.

"Yes, you would need to resign from the NYPD."

"And serve at the pleasure of an elected mayor?"

"Yes, correct."

"The next elected mayor could choose his or her PC?"

"Correct."

"I would have more work, more time away from family, a target on my back and more. Right?"

"You sound like you don't want the job."

"I DON'T! THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING ME, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR. GOOD-BYE!" He stands to leave-

"A moment, please."

He sits back down. "Yes?"

"Your father highly recommends you."

"And who else?"

"He says that whoever is in 2nd place is way behind."

Jamie drops his head.

Captain Espinoza speaks, "A month before he passed, I had coffee with Henry. He indicated the same."

"You were looking even then?"

"We saw the signs, yes."

"God . . . what's my time frame for an answer?"

"2 weeks please."

"OK."

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ON THE ISLAND

Jamie enters the house, his safe haven. He hears the soft click of keys on a computer keyboard coming from the office. He knows Eddie is hard at work.

AJ, his 4 y/o son comes running, embracing daddy's legs. He lifts AJ up, "How is my favorite boy?" He tickles his youngest. AJ giggles, "Stop daddy!"

Patrick comes running, the greeting is duplicated.

"Who is your favorite boy?" Both sons question.

"You," He points to AJ.

"And you," He points to Patrick. The boys giggle. "Where is mommy?" Jamie asks.

"Office." He hears Eddie proclaim. He carries the boys, one on each hip into the office. He sets them down and collapses into a bean bag chair. He is immediately pounced upon, and disappears under his sons.

Eddie laughs and piles on.

"How can I give this up?" He huffs.

"What!" Eddie snorts, picking up her head. "What was that?"

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TBC

See "Bugs" by this author.

Annie kept Davenport as her professional name only – at work.