Disclaimers:
These characters are totally and completely mine. So hands off!
Also, this is a sequel to an earlier story of mine called, "If You Miss Once, Try, Try Again," so if you haven't read that one it might be helpful to do so, but even if you don't, I believe you can still derive enjoyment from this one.
Love/Sex: Well yes, of course. On both accounts.
Violence: Umm, nope.
Feedback: First, let me apologize, yet again, for leaving such long delays in between story posts, but I assure you, they were inevitable. Anyhow, I truly hope you enjoy this story at least as much as the rest of mine, if not more, and if you do, please continue to write and send feedback because I thrive on them! I'll also take this opportunity to thank all those lovely people who took the time to share their thoughts with me and for their truly astounding, heartwarming comments! Keep 'em up J
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"Hey Jaime...I'm not really sure how to say this but I rather you hear this from me than anybody else...[pause]...ok, I guess I'll just say it and get it over with. I'm getting married...I mean, we're getting married...your brother and I...ummm...well, ok, so, I guess we'll talk...[pause and click -- end of message]."
Jaime was in shock. Holding the phone to her ear, she blinked dumbly for a few moments before slapping the phone shut. They hadn't broken up that long ago. How could this happen? thought Jaime as nostalgic images flashed through her mind. If she didn't know any better, she would think she was on the verge of a life threatening situation, seeing the last few months of her life flashing in front of her like that. She couldn't stop the surge of emotions and she almost felt choked up. Yes, she admitted, she was the one who had broken up with Terri nearly 6 months back, after their return from her band's world tour, but she still felt somewhat betrayed. How could she get back with her brother, and marry him to boot? How dared he? How dared she? How dared they?! She pounded her closed fist against the steering wheel of her new favorite car. She threw the car in gear and screeched out into traffic.
Jaime just returned from another promotional tour with her band, this one domestic. Each of her band members loved their jobs, but they also loved their families and were always quite anxious to get back home. Jaime loved her family dearly, but for once, she wasn't looking forward to this trip home. After a long, aimless ride, her anger, mostly caused by the shock and suddenness of the message, started to dissipate. She realized she still cared for Terri and that the wounds were still quite fresh. Even if they were of her own making. After some careful deliberation, Jaime also realized she wanted what was best for Terri, and if that meant her brother, then so be it.
Still broody and aloof, yet much calmer and accepting, she finally made her way to her parents' house. Jaime's mom opened the front door as soon as she heard the car door slam shut in her driveway. Her smile and bright eyes lit her face and they warmed Jaime's heart. She was indeed happy to be home. She accepted her mother's hug and returned it with one of her own, lifting her slight frame in the process. At nearly 6' ft, Jaime towered over most people in her proximity, so her mother's body was almost completely engulfed by her. Her dad was right behind to offer the next warm hug. Finally able to slip inside the house, Jaime stopped dead in her tracks. On the living room sofa sat her brother and his...wife to be. The scene felt familiar as Jaime was hit by a harsh wave of déjà vu. Terri got to her feet, but her brother remained seated. She guessed he was back to his on again hating her period.
Almost literally shaking herself out of her stupor, Jaime moved forward to greet Terri. Pasting a half-forced, half-sincere smile on her face, she came as close as she dared to Terri and waited for her reaction. Jaime was surprised when she was suddenly surrounded by Terri's deceptively strong arms. Stiffly, Jaime returned the embrace, guiltily absorbing the warmth it offered. She had missed Terri and it was good having her back in her arms, Jaime admitted to herself. The hug ended quickly and in the following moment of awkward silence, Jaime offered an almost whispered "congratulations." She didn't dare say anything more.
Seeing that her brother was still unmoving on the couch, she decided to be the bigger person and went over to him, stretching her hand out as an awkward peace offering. Her brother shook her hand briefly, grunting some kind of unintelligible response to Jaime's congratulations.
"So, how was the tour?" asked Jaime's mother, in an attempt to break through the 7 ft. long iceberg crowding the room.
Jaime turned about and smiled, "Good, good. Great crowds and we made some mad sales. It was tiring and hectic, as usual, but quite awesome." Both her parents and Terri smiled, nodding their heads in silence.
And the silence persisted.
After several minutes passed, which actually filled like several decades, give or take one or two, Jaime asked, "So, when's the wedding?"
It was like someone had just unplugged a full bathtub. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly realizing that not only did Jaime know about the upcoming wedding, but she didn't appear even remotely homicidal.
"Why don't we sit at the table and talk?" offered her mom.
They all moved to the dining table and took their seats. Her mother was the first to speak. "There is so much yet to plan and so little time. I really don't know how we're going to do it all..."
"I'm sure we'll manage. What have you already done?" asked Jaime.
Terri colored briefly. "We didn't really get much of anything done. I was so busy at the hospital that I didn't have the time and so was Jack with his practice... When I came back to work, I really had to start from the bottom and work my way up again." For a second, Terri looked like she regretted finishing that sentence, but at Jaime's look of sorrowed guilt, a look of determination came in its stead. She had had a lot of issues to work out with herself after their break-up, and it certainly wasn't easy getting back into the fold of this particular family.
Jaime shifted in her seat and puckered her lips in thought. "So, I guess we'll start from the beginning. How'd you manage to find the time to propose bro?" Jaime knew it was the wrong thing to say, but she couldn't help herself. The menacing look her brother was throwing her way made her cringe and snicker at the same time. Her mother's glare, on the other hand, wasn't nearly as amusing to her.
Clearing her throat of any invisible phlegm, she continued, "How about we hire a wedding planner or some such thing to take care of everything?" She had heard it was the latest trend, and in their case, it would sure suit them better to dump everything on someone else, and especially on someone who actually knew what he's doing.
"Who's gonna pay for it? You?" Jack asked with contempt.
Jaime refused to take the bait. "Sure, I'll pay for the wedding planner."
Jaime's mother quickly shook her head, "No Jaime, you will not pay for anything. We've already discussed this issue with Terri's parents and we've decided we'll split the costs, so don't worry yourselves about any of that."
"But..." Jaime tried to say something but was quickly stopped by her mother's glare.
"No arguments. Now, would you like anything to eat?"
The weeks flew by as the wedding preparations were underway. The wedding planner they eventually decided to hire looked nothing like J Lo, but she knew her way around a wedding and the family was mostly head-ache free.
Jaime was on a long break from touring, taking it easy after the last two long tours. She enjoyed just hanging around the house, even though the house was starting to look like the inside of a marshmallow, so white and fluffy with all the assorted cloths and ornaments. They decided to have the reception at their home, which was roomy enough to hold the medium sized wedding. She helped whenever and with whatever she could, though she had to admit to herself that her brother's glares were starting to wear a little thin. But each time she reminded herself that it was his big day after all, and that it really would be a shame to have the groom disappear a few days before the wedding. So she kept her thoughts to herself and mainly tried to stay out of everyone's way, especially that of Terri's and her brother's.
It was but a few days before the wedding and they had yet to book a band or a DJ for the reception. Even the wedding planner looked a little worried. She actually hadn't thought of it at all when she met the groom's older sister. She had naturally assumed that she would provide the evening's entertainment. As logical as that seemed, Jaime knew her brother would have a fit if she even dared think of such a possibility. So she never asked, and neither did the planner, and that is how it came to be so close to the assigned date with no prospective entertainment in sight.
Mrs. Shepherd came up to Jaime and said softly, "why don't you go offer your brother to play at the reception?"
Jaime turned to her mother with a raised brow, "are you kidding me?! You know he'll flip."
Mrs. Shepherd sighed. "Why don't you just offer, hmm?"
And as if that wasn't enough, at that exact same moment Terri decided to make her presence known. "I'd love it if you played at the wedding..." Her voice was small and timid, as though she feared her feelings and desires wouldn't matter anyhow, but nonetheless compelled to express an opinion.
Jaime looked at the two women, looking at her with adoring eyes and she sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "Oh alright!"
Marching her way over to her brother, who for once was at home from work and stood watch over the assembling job, she called out to him, "Jack! Can I talk to you for a sec?"
Jack grumbled something but made to move closer. When they were within hearing range, Jack barked, "What?"
Jaime gritted her teeth and turned her head back to the women she left behind. They were still looking at her pleadingly. Rolling her eyes once more, she turned her gaze to her brother. "Since there seems to be a problem with getting a band or a DJ at the last minute, my band and I would love to play at your wedding..." the entire sentence was pushed through gritted teeth so the sincerity may have been somewhat askew, but she had offered nonetheless.
