Jamie rushes into the men's shop apologizing as he walks.
"Man I'm so sorry I'm late! I got held up at the clinic and then the hospital then Kathy and Jenny were late!" He says with a roll of his eye as he pushes out of his jacket and tosses it on the chair behind him. JR smiles opening his arms and embracing him in a bear hug.
"Don't worry about it!` I'm just glad you're here! The boys are in the dressing room getting changed."
"Enjoy Monsieur!" the Tailors assistant say handing him a glass of champagne then offering him an hors d'oeuvres from the platter. Jamie places his glass on the table then takes a few on a napkin eating them quickly while JR talks.
"Besides I'm still waiting for my in laws and brother in-law Lenka." JR mumbles over the canape he'd stuffed in his cheek. Jamie rolls his eyes as he picks up his drink.
"Yeah I forgot all about that. I suppose Rego is going to be here too?"
"Of course he's Rebeka cousin. But if it will ease your mind he was here and left. Cassandra called and he had to go."
"Good!"Jamie says the vehemence in his voice peaking Jr's curiosity.
"I don't understand all the animosity you got the girl." JR jokes as he stuffs another canape in his mouth.
"This way sir." Couturier says to Jamie then points to the dressing rooms beckoning him to follow him JR continuing to talk as they walk.
"Seriously James I think you're being kind of ridiculous. I've seen you and Francessca together she's crazy about you. I don't see where you have anything to worry about." He says leaning against the wall watching as Jamie steps into his pants and his sons come running out of the dressing room towards him.
"Dad! Endre and I still don't understand why we can't just wear one of our Sunday suits these things feel like cardboard!" Jr and Jamie both laugh nodding their heads in agreement.
"Look guys we agree with you but your mother wants us in tuxedos so we're wearing tuxedos okay?" Both kids groan rolling their eyes skyward. Making JR laugh harder.
"I'll make a deal with you, I promise as soon as we get introduced at the reception and we do the dance you guys can change into your black suit pants. You'll have to keep on your tuxedo shirts but you can also put on your tennis shoes." Both AJ and Endre nodding in agreement.
"Now I want you guys go stand on the podium so the man can check your suits okay and no wriggling around." He says looking from one to the other as both nod in agreement then run and stand on the podium as JR turns back to Jamie.
"So what gives?Why are you so suddenly insecure? Looks like to me Rego's moved on. He and Cassandra are having a baby. You and I both know he's given up a lot to be with her. I'd say he's pretty devoted."
"Yeah but for how long?" He grimaces as the couturier pulls at the legs of his pants then helps him into the jacket before standing back to inspect his work. JR looks at his brother and shrugs.
"I don't know James he seemed pretty happy when I was talking to him. Maybe it's not Rego you're worried about. Hold on a second!" He says over his shoulder as he walks quickly to where the boys were being fitted to give the couturier his finally okay.
Jamie watches him walk away a moment then stares back at his reflection in the mirror losing himself in thoughts. His mind going back to that moment he'd caught between his wife and Rego. He couldn't get the image of him kissing her out of his head. It gnawed at him and he couldn't explain why. Francessca hadn't changed not in any way she was exactly the same as she always was with him. She was loving and attentive. Cheerful and funny all the things he'd always loved about her. The only thing that had changed in their lives was the inclusion of Rego and her feelings towards him. That's what had changed. The other thing was Rego had changed and that's what also gnawed at him. It wasn't jealousy despite what Cess thought. It was that Rego had become the man Cess thought he was when they were engaged. He was afraid she would tell him about Logan and he'd be in their lives as Logan's father and not just his annoying uncle. He couldn't tell that to JR. He couldn't truly explain his feelings to anyone with exposing the truth about his son.
"So are you going to talk to me about what's going on with you and Cess or what?" JR asked hoping his brother would finally open up about what was bothering him.
"You know what JR can we talk about something else please?"
"Well bro I'm just saying I'm here when and if you want to talk. Anyway how's work?" Jr says as he watches his brother turn in the mirror inspecting his tuxedo.
"Pretty good. I was able to hire a permanent physician for the clinic with a salary." Jamie says smiling with pride.
"Wow! That's great I'm really proud of you. All your hard work is really starting to pay off. Congratulations."
"Yeah it's great to finally stop operating in the red for a change. And the new doctor I hired? She's great! She's funny, smart, experienced." Jamie gushes as he steps from the podium and removes his pants handing them back to the couturier making JR smile slyly.
"Is she pretty?" He asks making Jamie smile as he remembers watching her walk to her car as they existed that afternoon.
"Very. I enjoyed talking to her during our interview and I really enjoyed working with her today. I think the two of us are going to get along great." He says the smile curling his brothers lips and reminiscent tone giving him a momentary pause to wonder exactly what position his new doctor had actually been hired for.
"So who is this marvel of modern medicine?" He ask trying to sound more casual then he felt as he watched the expression on his brothers face change as he reminisced about his encounter.
"Ivy is pretty terrific she from Chicago. She worked in a clinic there so she's familiar with the general in and out of the operation. She's pretty, funny, friendly, smart and I think she'll be a real asset."
"Emphasis on the pretty?" JR slides in smoothly watching carefully for Jamie's reaction the later stares back at him his mouth twisted in distaste.
"No, and don't even joke like that. I love my wife and son as well as I'm happily married man. Second I'm human and I'm not dead." He says stepping down from the podium and removing his jacket and trousers. "Besides Cess's got this major crush on that Vin Diesel guy." He says with a laugh.
"Yeah but she's not working side by side with him every day." JR warns as Jamie stares back at him one brow raised.
"Where the hell is this coming from JR? All I said was she was pretty."
"I don't know Bro you tell me. If I didn't know any better I would say you're a little smitten with her." Jamie chuckles.
"Are you really serious with this man? I just met the woman and she impressed me nothing more. Is that okay with you?" Jamie asks shoving one leg into his pant leg then the other as JR shrugs.
"It's fine with me. Just take a little advice from someone who's been there just be careful."
"Be careful of what?"
"You got a lot going on right now Jamie and it can get really easy to lose sight of what's important really quickly. Just promise me you'll keep your focus on what really matters and don't let yourself get distracted."
"I really don't know where the hell this is coming from." JR smiles then laughs as he throws up his hand silencing him
'Look just do a nervous soon to be married man a favor and promise me okay?"
'Okay, okay I promise." Jamie concedes with a laugh and a roll of his eyes. JR nods satisfied then adds his tone becoming serious again
'Oh and another thing no matter what happens remember you can always come to me."
"I don't know what's wrong with you but okay I promise I'll come to you."
"And there's nothing wrong with me! You're my little brother and I love you Jamie! I just want to you to continue to be as happy as I am." He laughs as he reaches over and grabs Jamie by the neck and gives him a playful noogie on the top of his head.
"What the hell JR?" Jamie yells and tries to pull away as his nephews run roaring from the dressing rooms and grab on to his ankles making them all laugh as they tumble to the fitting room floor in a mass of giggling bodies.
Jamie and Zach
Jamie and Ivy
Jamie and Francessca
Jamie, Francessca Rego and Ivy
*Copyright Takeitish Pine Valley Chronicles 2019
No comments:
Post a Comment