Strange Neighbors (37 page)

   "St. John's. It's very private. Just like you wanted. You can sail, snorkel, and they even have a campground if you want to rough it."

   Jason laughed. "I'm sure that's just what Merry had in mind for her one and only honeymoon. How's the resort?"

   "Nice, but there's an even better one nearby. We checked it out earlier today. Dottie's having the best time quizzing all the managers."

   "I'll bet she is. Hey, maybe travel writing could turn into a good sideline for her. She said she was a good writer."

   "That's something I hadn't thought of. But what about my job? You'll still need a maintenance man, won't you?"

   "Of course. Your job is secure. I just think it might be a good idea if Dottie had a hobby."

   "You're absolutely right. So, what's Merry going to be doing after the honeymoon while you're in spring training, besides, um, the expected?"

   "She found something called the Traveling Nurse Corp. She's looking into either that or the possibility of a per diem job. She doesn't have to worry. Nurses are needed wherever we go."

   "And you're okay with her working?"

   "I'm okay with whatever makes her happy."

   "I guess she makes you pretty happy, right?"

   "Very. I couldn't be more fortunate."

"Has she met your folks yet?"

   "Ah, no. That's the next hurdle. We're getting her family and ours all together on Christmas. That way everyone can meet everyone and we can announce the big news."

   "You aren't telling anyone before that?"

   "No, we decided to keep it a surprise."

   "Oh, boy. Good luck with that."

   "What? You sound worried."

   "No, no. I just hope your father's on his best behavior."

   "He should be. He knows what's at stake."

   "Yeah, he does. That's why I'm worried. If her father has any reservations… well, you know how your father can get."

   "Oh boy."

   "And didn't you say Merry's father is overprotective of his little girl?"

   "Oh boy."

   "Uh-huh. Like I said, good luck."

MERRY HAD DECORATED HER LITTLE APARTMENT WITH a small live Christmas tree and garland while Jason bought an artificial pre-lit tree that blazed like the sun. Just as well. She had asked him to host the family gettogether at his place on Christmas Eve since hers was so small and underwhelming.

   She offered to do all the cooking and had planned the menu, then realized what a major task she had taken on. Trying to please everyone, she wanted to include both sets of family's holiday traditions and foods. Thank goodness her thoughtful fiancé wouldn't hear of her doing it alone and told her to hire an extra pair of hands.

   So here she was, in Jason's penthouse, counting out the number of plates, cups, and saucers. She was relieved to see the caterer had brought a few extra, just in case of breakage. Not that she expected dishes thrown like Frisbees, but one never knew.

   "So, let's see…" she mumbled to herself as she mentally inventoried the menu. "Ham, sweet potatoes, eighteen-pound dressed turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes au gratin, asparagus, carrots, a green salad, three pies… Six people are never going to be able to eat all this food. We'll have leftovers for a week."

   Jill the caterer smiled. "Some folks think that's the best thing about holidays. My mother made the most delicious turkey sandwiches and turkey soup after both Christmas and Thanksgiving."

   "Maybe I should get her recipes. And some for ham, if you have any. Trying to incorporate two sets of family traditions will test the weight limit of this buffet table."

   Jill laughed. "Everything will be fine. I brought extra potatoes au gratin so you can cut up the leftover ham and have a casserole later on. That's why I don't just mash the potatoes."

   "You're brilliant. Thank you."

   "Well, everything is all set, and I should be on my way. You'll find the ham sliced almost all the way through in the warming drawer on a cutting board. The vegetables are in the warming trays. The turkey is in the oven, all cooked and with the heat off it'll stay hot while you get everyone settled and the champagne poured. Would you like me to carve the turkey before I leave?"

   "Oh, no. That's my father's job. He'd feel deprived if he didn't have the honor of hacking up the bird."

   Suddenly a horrible thought struck her. What if carving a large bird was offensive to a family of falcons? Oh, dear God. She hadn't thought to ask Jason. Was it too late to cook pigeon? And, oh God, her family would have a fit if their traditions had to be changed.

   "What's wrong?" Jill asked. "You look nervous."

   Merry steadied herself and inhaled deeply. "I am nervous. I'm meeting my future in-laws for the first time."

   "Oh that's wonderful! Congratulations."

   "You don't understand. They don't know we're getting married yet. We decided to tell them all at once, tonight. Oh, Lord, what were we thinking? Jason says his parents will be thrilled, but my father… This was such a bad idea."

   The elevator began to whir. Merry gasped. "They're here! Oh my God. How's my hair? How's my makeup? Do I have anything in my teeth?"

   Jill laughed. "You're gorgeous. Now just relax, everything will be fine."

   "I might need my inhaler," she squeaked, and was about to run to Jason's bathroom for her spare.

   Jill grabbed her shoulders. "Calm down. Take some slow, deep breaths."

   Merry did and her nerves settled.

   Jill pulled on her wool coat and wrapped a scarf around her neck. "I'll take the elevator down as soon as it gets here."

   The doors swooshed open and three people stepped off. The love of her life, plus a middle-aged well-coiffed woman wearing a camel-hair coat, and her equally dignified, well-dressed husband.

   This is it. The first impression.

   Before Jill slipped away, however, Merry grabbed her and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks for everything," she whispered.

   Jill nodded and exchanged places with the family who'd just exited the elevator. Everyone wore congenial smiles, but they slowly grew into grins. Maybe she had already made a positive impression.

As soon as all the guests had arrived and everyone except Matt had a full glass of champagne in hand, Jason raised his glass. It's now or never.

   "I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight. I know you had to travel from out of state, but we wanted to tell you our wonderful news all together."

   He took Merry's hand, and they grinned at each other. Finally, they turned to their families and said at the same time, "We're getting married!"

   Matt leapt in the air and let out a whoop. Merry had expected as much, which was why she didn't want Jason to give him a glass of anything liquid yet.

   His parents seemed overjoyed. His mother grabbed and hugged him and then hugged Merry in turn. His father beamed as he shook Jason's hand and kissed Merry's cheek. As Merry expected, her little brother jumped between them and hugged them both.

   "If my sister's going to be Mrs. Jason Falco, I want season tickets!"

   "Now, hold on a minute…" Mr. MacKenzie crossed his arms.

   "Dad…" Merry answered in a warning tone.

   Damn. I was afraid of this happening.

   "It's not that I'm not happy for you, I just have a couple of concerns."

   Jason remained completely calm. "Please, Mac, say whatever's on your mind." But think carefully about how you say it, Mr. Overprotective. My father has a short fuse.

   "Now, don't take this the wrong way. I just don't want to see my little girl get hurt. You're a famous star and that could be a problem for a new wife. I'm thinking about that news story that called you a three-timer."

   "Sir, that was completely fabricated by a paparazzo trying to save her job by printing a sensational story."

"She made up the whole thing, Dad."

   He gave Jason a sidelong glance, then asked Merry, "Are you sure?"

   Mr. Falco bristled. "Are you calling my son a liar?"

   His wife put a hand on his arm. "Calm down, dear."

   "Everyone, hold it right there," Merry said. "Yes, I'm sure, Dad. I wouldn't put myself in this situation if I didn't trust Jason, completely. And I do."

   Thank God Merry jumped in.

   "My son is incapable of being unfaithful," his father added. "In fact, your daughter is more apt to break his heart if—"

   Jason held up one hand. "Back off, Dad. I can deal with this." And probably a whole lot better than either of you old geezers.

   Mr. MacKenzie continued as if he had been asked to. "What about your whole big spiel about needing your independence, Merry? How many times did you insist you needed to live on your own to discover who you were? Are you telling me you know everything you need to know about yourself and you're ready to make a lifechanging decision like this in a couple of months?"

   "I know, I know. Believe me, I questioned that too. But Roz set me straight. She asked what I ultimately wanted out of life. I had to admit that ultimately, I wanted to be happily married to someone I love as much as I love Jason. And, Dad, he loves me just as much. I was luckier than anyone could have expected to find him so soon."

   Mr. MacKenzie relaxed slightly. "Okay, you're using the word ultimately, so it doesn't sound like this is going to happen right away. A long engagement would be good for the two of you. You're probably still getting to know each other."

   Merry inhaled deeply and spat out the rest of it. "We've set the date for January twenty-second."

   Mr. MacKenzie gasped. "This January?"

   Merry nodded.

   "You've got to be kidding!"

   Jason cringed when his father interjected, "Since when did you become the authority on relationships? The kids are in love, they're consenting adults, and they can get married any time they damn well please."

   His mother held onto his arm and gave a little tug as if trying to lead him out of the room, but he didn't budge.

   Mac crossed his arms. "But you see? You just called them kids. They're only in their twenties. Who knows what they want at that age?"

   "They do," his dad bellowed.

   Merry faced her father squarely and held him at arm's length. "I want you to hear me right now, and hear me good. I know you want the best for me. Well, this is it. Marrying Jason Falco is what's best for me."

   Mr. MacKenzie's eyebrows rose. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"

   "No! I'm not pregnant." She sighed. "I knew you'd think that."

   Time to step in again. "I have to leave for spring training in February, Mac. We'd like to be together and the only way that will happen is if we're married."

   Her father faltered. "Well, at least you're not talking about just shacking up…"

   "He has his reputation to think of," Merry said.

   "Whatever happened to that reporter who was causing you so much trouble?"

   Jason smiled. "There's a happy outcome to that story."

   Merry raised her eyebrows. "Really? Have you heard something recently?"

   "Yeah, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. The administrator called and said she would be completing the rehab program soon and that someone named Kevin would pick her up."

   "Oh, that's good. I had the feeling he was sick of her. It looks like he's giving her a second chance."

   "Yes, and there's more. She wanted him to return the envelope I left for her, unopened."

   "Wow! It seems like she's really embracing the program."

   Jason nodded. "You can feel very proud of your daughter, Mac. She could have written off the woman, but instead she recognized her alcohol addiction and saw that she received good care for it."

   Mac beamed. "I've always been proud of my Merry. She deserves the kind of devotion she shows the rest of the world. That's why I think she ought to make sure that this is what she wants. Maybe you can visit—"

   Merry scrunched her eyes shut and raised her voice. "Stop, Dad. Just stop. We're getting married January twenty-second. Now, do you want to walk me down the aisle or don't you? Because I have another father I can ask."

   Dear God, don't tell me she's talking about Sly.

   An uncomfortable silence ensued with Mr. MacKenzie's hurt evident in his eyes. At last, he said, "Well, I guess you really have found your independence. You don't need me at all anymore."

   "I never said that, Dad. I do need you. I need you to believe in me and trust that I know what I'm doing. I need you to know that you raised me well and that it's time to let go. I need you to love me, unconditionally."

   He nodded.

   It occurred to Jason that maybe he was worried about paying for a big wedding. He certainly wasn't a rich man. But he was proud. How the heck should he approach that subject? One glance at his father and the answer, In private, popped into his mind so loudly it was almost audible.

   "And to answer your question, of course I want to walk you down the aisle. I think I've earned that right and I don't want to give it up to anyone."

   Jason heard Merry exhale. "Thank you, Dad."

   Jason's father smiled and raised his glass. "Now that that's settled, I'd like to make a toast to the happy couple."