The Paths of Destiny

October 19, 2001:

It’s been a month since I’ve managed to add anything to this journal. So, I have a bit of catching up to do.

After returning to Headquarters from Cousin William’s, Corey and I set ourselves to getting her acclimated to SPJ procedures. I managed to get in touch with both Robyn Coyne and Ted Westbury and let them know of Corey’s decision to allow them to become her advisors, provided they passed a lie detector test.

Ted was ready to do so immediately. Robyn was hesitant, and indignant at first. However, she finally agreed to do so, as a favor to me as part of her appreciation for my part in her rescue from Overton’s people during my training assignment.

Reconstruction of the sixth floor is under way, too. It was decided that the interior have priority, so Corey and the Senior Commanders would be able to have their own offices as quickly as possible. As it is, the fourth floor is practically overflowing with the additional people of everyone’s combined personal staff members.

Take, for instance, my office. In addition to me, Corey has a desk next to mine. Add to that, the desks for Miles O’Halloran, Samantha Garrett, Robyn Coyne and Ted Westbury in my outer office to go with the desk of my newly hired secretary, Kim Biddle. At least the extra desks are temporary. They’ll be relocated to the sixth floor once those offices are restored.

The projected date of the sixth-floor completion is slotted for mid- to late-December.

One good thing about having everyone so close together, in the case of Corey’s continued training of SPJ procedures; no one had to go far for any of the needed materials. Miles is benefiting from these lessons as well. Since he was required to know SPJ policy anyway, he attended the same sessions as Corey.

Between Ted, Robyn and myself as their teachers, both should be up to speed as to how things are run in short order. Miles had a little trouble with the rank structure, but with Robyn’s help, he aced his test. He even managed to outscore Corey on that test.

As a side note, it hasn’t gone beyond my notice, or Corey’s, that Miles and Robyn seem to be spending a lot of time together. More than should be required for educational purposes. Corey has decided to turn a blind eye on the matter. The both seem to be keeping their relationship circumspect and as with us, there are none the wiser about it. I hope they get along as well as Corey and I have. I think they make a nice couple.

Speaking of relationships, Corey and I share a larger two-bedroom apartment that Nick set up for us. Of course, we don’t sleep in separate beds. The second bedroom has been converted to an office. It’s big enough for Corey and me to both have our own desks and still move about comfortably. Nick even managed to get Corey her coffee pot.

I had Nick coordinate with Cousin William in regards to the wedding arrangements. William has agreed to handle all the expenses and donated a sizeable amount to the Parish Church of St. Michael and St. John, where Corey and I agreed to have the wedding. With the wedding only a week away, there’s a lot to be done on such short notice, even though the guest attendance included a select few.

When I say a select few, I do mean a select few.

Corey had invited her Aunt Melanie and the children. There was no need to invite Father Marc since he was going to officiate at the wedding. Even though Cousin William had received a verbal invitation from Corey, I made sure he had a formal invitation. Corey also made sure that Miles O’Halloran and Joe Ferguson received an invitation.

Since Nick Storm already knew about the wedding, I couldn’t keep him from the guest list. I didn’t intend to leave him off the list in the first place. Nick was one of the few people I knew I could trust to keep the secret. I did make sure that he sent out invitations to the other Senior Commanders; I figured they would need to be in the loop. I also had invitations sent out to Fred Drayton, Doc James, Katrina Nighthawk and Ted Westbury. I couldn’t leave out Briony Mathers and Roberts either; Briony would have been incensed had she not been invited after all that she had done for us and Roberts would have been hurt, to say the least. Even though Corey was unsure about them, she agreed to let me invite Robyn and Sami to the wedding.

As I said, a very select few. I would have invited my parents; unfortunately, both had passed beyond the shackles of mortality not long before I came to London. I had no contact with any relatives from my father’s side of the family; we had lost touch while I was still in the Peacekeepers.

The day everyone received their formal invitation to the wedding, Corey and I were inundated with phone calls asking if this were a joke. Between the two of us, we managed to convince everyone that it was no joke. Once they were convinced, they were more than happy to see the need for secrecy and said they would be happy to help with any of the arrangements.

Melanie called up to let us know that she had received the formal invitation and to impart some good news of her own. She and Marc were expecting their sixth child. The baby is due sometime around the time Corey and I expect the birth of our son.

Miles was a different story, however. Robyn was out to lunch, Kim hadn’t been hired yet and Sami was out on a bodyguard assignment. Miles and Ted both happened to be in my outer office when they received their invitations. Corey, in one of her impish moments, decided to wait until Miles received his invitation before telling him about the wedding. In retrospect, it probably would have been better if Corey had told him ahead of time.

Corey and I had just started working on preparing her for her next SPJ policy exam when Miles burst into the office without so much as a ‘by your leave’.

“Corey,” he practically roared, brandishing the invitation as if he wielded a pointed sword at us. “Is this some kind of joke? You and this... charlatan...”

“This charlatan, as you so quaintly put it,” Corey interrupted quietly as she stood to her full height, “has a name and out ranks you, Miles. I suggest you remember that. You should also remember to knock and wait until I give leave to enter my office. Now, I suggest you calm yourself before you continue,” she said as she sat back down. “Ted, come in please, and shut the door behind you.”

I hadn’t noticed Ted was there. Miles happened to be standing just far enough to block my line of sight of the door completely.

“I take it you got your invitation, Ted,” Corey asked.

“Yes, Senior Director,” Ted replied. “It came in the same time as Captain O’Halloran’s. I’m assuming the similar envelopes on Robyn’s and Captain Garrett’s desks are also wedding invitations?”

“Yes, they are,” she answered. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“Not at all,” Ted replied too neutrally.

“Ted,” I said as I looked around a glaring Miles O’Halloran’s large frame before Corey could say anything. “Are you sure you don’t mind Sami being at the wedding? Sami, as you know, is a smart person. When she isn’t out on assignment, she’ll be extra security for the Senior Director. That means, of course, you’ll be in frequent contact with her. Corey and I wouldn’t be able to keep this secret from her. Besides, old friend,” I said gently. “The two of you need to learn how to get along and put whatever past animosities you have away for good. Not only that, but I’ve reason to believe Sami already knew something was up between us,” I said glancing at Corey, “which I won’t go into here.”

Ted, who had seated himself in an empty chair, nodded his understanding of the situation.

“We couldn’t keep this from Robyn either,” I continued. “We invited only those who would be working with the two of us closely. All the SPJ personnel on the invitation list are people I know I can trust to keep this a secret. Add to that,” I said turning to face a somewhat calm Miles. “We invited Robyn because of how closely she and Miles have been working together. I’m sorry, Captain, but even though Corey and I trust you enough to keep this a secret, your closeness to Robyn might have led you to make a slip. What you two do together on your own time is none of our business. However, Corey and I, her being reluctant to do so, felt it best to invite Robyn and Sami to keep it ‘within the family’, so to speak.”

The last I said with a pointed look at both Ted and Miles.

Miles only reaction was a slight reddening of the face from embarrassment.

“Why, Miles O’Halloran,” Corey said with amusement, “I do believe you are blushing. Oh, I do wish I had a camera for this. I’ve never seen you blush like that before. Sit, Miles sit. This is a meeting amongst friends after all.”

After a still blushing Miles sat down, Corey continued.

“We invited the two of you because you are the oldest friends either of us has from before joining the SPJ. Miles I know from the RAF and Robert knows Ted from their Peacekeeper days. We certainly couldn’t keep our oldest friends from attending; that would have been unfair to all parties concerned. Robert and I,” she said as she came over to me and placed a loving hand on my shoulder, “both knew you would be hurt otherwise.”

“I don’t know about Miles,” I said teasingly as I placed an arm around Corey’s waist, “but Ted, you would never let me hear the end of it. Besides, I thought it would be nice to embarrass you just a bit by inviting you to my wedding since you conveniently forgot to invite me to yours.”

“Now wait a minute, Spenser,” Ted said in protest. “You know just as well as I, that you were in the middle of an important case and you couldn’t get away when I sent that invitation. Besides, Miami-Dade PD wouldn’t have let you go since you didn’t have the leave time accumulated to fly to England for the wedding.”

“Oh my,” I said with mock shocked remembrance. “You are quite correct. I had forgotten all about that. Now that I think of it, I believe I have that invitation saved with all my other mementos. For your information, by the way, I was out on loan to the ATF and DEA at the time.”

“ATF, DEA, Miami-Dade PD,” Ted said with a dismissive hand as he sat back in his chair. “It doesn’t matter; you couldn’t make it. I’m just glad I’m able to attend yours. Captain,” Ted said turning to a still slightly flushed Miles. “Spenser takes some getting used to. Hell, son, I was just like you when I first met him. I didn’t like him either. He was young, had taken an unusually fast track to promotion, arrogant...”

“Now hold on,” I said in protest. “I was not arrogant. I was only very well aware of my capabilities and quite confident in myself because of that awareness.”

“Like I said, Captain, arrogant,” Ted said fondly, with a quick glance in my direction. “However, as time went by, I learned Spenser came by his attitude honestly. His actions proved he had a right to be arrogant. Hell, had he remained with the Peacekeepers, he would have become my CO in short order. The point of this, Captain O’Halloran, is Spenser has matured since those days. He’s not the brash, young man he was back then. Admittedly, like all of us, some of his old self will come out when you least expect it. Overall, you can trust that the Senior Director will be safe with Spenser at her side.”

“I think I can accept that,” Miles said grudgingly. “But it doesn’t mean I have to like it. What I want to know, however, is how long the two of you have known each other? It’s obvious, you’ve known each other since before Corey took up the mantle of Senior Director.”

Corey, who by this time, was sitting in my lap, looked at me and placed a soft kiss on my cheek before answering.

“Robert and I have known each other since... forever,” she replied. “It is true that we only met... is it... about a year ago, but our knowledge of each other greatly predates that time. We met — as I said — about a year ago. We had one date. I then was sent to RAF Gibraltar — you remember, Miles. That was after Captain Garrett escorted me to London for the Board of Enquiry. Robert and I met the night before. I spent a year in Gibraltar, then came home for leave — and was pulled from that leave by Anton to take over SPJ.”

She looked down at me.

“Robert — have you sent Anton an invitation? I think you should.”

“I knew there was someone I forgot,” I said, “Briony would have my hide if he wasn’t invited. Excuse me a moment while I call up Cousin William.”

A short call later, Anton Greydon was on the invitation list. I had William make sure Anton had plenty of time to RSVP before the wedding. Just as I hung up the phone, the door opened once again. It was Robyn, wedding invitation in hand.

“Come in and take a seat, Robyn,” I said casually, “and shut the door please, you’re letting in a draft.”

Obediently, Robyn shut the door and took a seat in the only chair available; it was next to Miles. Ted was smiling like a Cheshire cat as Robyn sat down on the edge of her seat. Miles’ face was a study in blankness. Corey continued to sit in my lap.

“Care to catch Robyn up to speed, Corey?” I asked with a mischievous smile in Robyn’s direction.

“Yes. It is a wedding invitation. Mine - and Robert’s. Yes. You are invited. I hope you will attend.”

“How long have you known about this, Ted?” Robyn asked, still sitting on the edge of her seat.

“Only a little longer than you,” Ted said, nearly laughing.

“I suppose you knew about this the entire time,” the blonde woman asked, turning to Miles.

“Hardly,” the large man growled. “I only found out when I got the wedding invitation a few moments ago. You might as well relax, Robyn. They already know we’ve been... seeing each other... off duty.”

Robyn’s jaw dropped open as her face turned a bright red from embarrassment. Ted could not hold back his laughter; he let out a loud hoot in a fit of laughter.

“It’s all right, Robyn,” I said. “Your secret is safe with us. Perhaps, you’ll be able to get Miles to be less grumpy around us now.”

“Fat chance of that,” I heard Miles whisper quietly. However, not quietly enough, for Robyn slapped him in the arm.

“Senior Director,” she said in exasperation. “How have you managed to keep him civil all this time?”

“I outrank him,” she said simply.

“I see,” Robyn said as she gave a sly look in Miles’ direction. “I’ll have to remember that, since I technically outrank him as well. And, yes, Senior Director, I will gladly accept your invitation to the wedding.”

Corey and I nodded our heads in thanks to Robyn when Ted spoke up again.

“So, who is going to be the best man?”

“I hope you don’t mind, Ted,” I replied, “but I already have Fred Drayton as my best man. I figured you’d rather sit back and enjoy the wedding. Perhaps, help usher the guests in to their seats.”

“You’re right,” Ted said. “It fits my temperament. I nearly screwed up Carson’s wedding being his best man. His wife wouldn’t speak to me for nearly two years because of that.”

“I remember that,” I said reminiscing. “It’s a shame we lost him three years later in that action over in Japan. What, with a set of twins born to him the month prior.”

Before anyone could say anything, a knock came on the door. Corey jumped from my lap immediately and was standing by her desk in two shakes.

“Come in,” I called out at Corey’s nod.

Surprisingly enough it was Samantha Garrett.

“You’re back early,” I said. “I take it all went well with the assignment?”

“Yes,” she said shortly. She strode over to Ted and threw something at him - something that fluttered to the ground. “I assume this is your idea of a sick, twisted joke? Give me one good reason not to report you!”

“Wha... what are you talking about?” Ted managed to get out.

“Captain Garrett,” Director Reese said calmly.

“Yes, Ma’am?” Garrett swung around, checked, and then saluted.

“At ease, Captain,” Reese said crisply.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“And I suggest you pick up your Wedding Invitation.”

“... Ma’am... “

“My fiancé, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Bixby Parker, and I, would be very pleased to have you attend our wedding, which is to be held in Shrewsbury on the 26th of October 2001. Next Friday. If, that is, you can manage to control your hostility towards my assistant, Ted Westbury. The wedding is to be extremely private. If you are not able to attend, I must insist on your Oath of Silence... under pain of court-martial!”

“I... I... I...” It was not often that Captain Samantha Garrett was at a loss for words.

Finally, she found her voice.

“Why me?”

“You were very kind to me once,” Corey said gently. “I want you to be extra security for me when you are not out on assignment. In fact, say the word, and you will be attached permanently to my staff, if you want to be. I have a great deal of respect for your skills, Sami, and I have no problems at all with keeping you by my side.”

“That’s... very good of you, Director,” Sami said. “I do have a couple more assignments lined up - after that, I’ll... definitely take it under consideration, if you don’t mind.”

“Just let Parker know either way,” Reese said. “I... hope you can let me know before the baby arrives.”

Aside from me, everyone’s jaw dropped at Corey’s casual announcement. These people weren’t dummies after all. Then, after a moment’s brief silence, the room erupted with everyone’s reaction at once.

“Silence!” Reese roared.

Everyone shut up.

“Yes. Robert and I are expecting our first child. No. That is not why we are in a hurry to get married. Neither one of us feels the need to marry - but we want to join our lives and our fates together for all time. Yes, Robert proposed - and I accepted - before we knew about the baby. Our son will be born next June. And yes – Jasmine knows — and approves... Any other questions?”

“I have a question,” Robyn asked timidly. “Who’s Jasmine? Is she another of your inner circle?”

“Oops,” Corey said. “You don’t know about Jasmine yet do you? Regardless, you could say Jasmine is part of our inner circle. Robert, would you mind explaining to them about Jasmine, please? It’s only fair they should know.”

I looked at Corey for a moment. This was unlike Corey to slip up like this. She’d done this once before at Cousin William’s house in revealing Jasmine’s presence in my life. Before I could say anything however, a familiar lilting voice spoke.

“Corey,” Jasmine’s voice said from thin air, not at all pleased. “You need to remember to keep some things to yourself. Especially, when it is about me. This is twice you’ve mentioned my involvement in Robert’s life as if it were an everyday occurrence for a Mortal person to interact with a spirit. Not even in my day was that true. However, since you let the elephant out of the bag...”

Jasmine slowly faded into view in the middle of the office directly in front of Sami. Her face was set in a stern manner, hands on her hips and one ghostly foot tapping her displeasure as she faced Corey. The spirit of my ancestress stood there for only a moment before she turned to face the others.

“Please forgive Corey,” Jasmine said with a warm smile in her voice. “I believe she’ll be more careful in the future. To go on, I’m Jasmine. I’m Robert’s great-great-grandmother. Lady Jasmine Bixby, relict of Sir Roger Bixby, the first Earl of the combined earldoms of Flamstead and Maidstone. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, all of you. I’m sure you all can see the necessity of why Robert hasn’t mentioned me to any of you. I’ve been a constant presence in Robert’s life since the day he made Detective a little over five years ago. With my help, he’s able to solve certain cases, normal and supernatural, that he might not have been able to do on his own. In addition, he has kept my presence unknown, but for a few who were on a need to know basis. And rightly so, I should say. I’m sure you understand.”

After Jasmine was finished, she stood there waiting.

“Aaah...”

For the first and only time in her life that I know of, Samantha Garrett fainted.

At least Ted had the presence of mind to catch her - the rest of them were still staring at Jasmine.

“I... I apologize, Lady Jasmine,” Corey said quietly.

“It’s all water under the bridge now,” Jasmine said waving away the apology as she stared down at Sami’s still form in Ted’s arms. “Not quite the reaction I was expecting, I must say. At least she wasn’t running on the roof of a twenty-story building when I revealed myself.”

“Let’s not get into that one, Jasmine,” I growled. “That poor chap didn’t know when to stop until you popped up. Literally. At least you were there to stop his plunge to the alley below.”

By this time, the others had recovered enough to speak, and Sami was slowly regaining consciousness.

“Gh... gh... gh...” Sami said.

“It’s all right, Sami, shhh!” Ted soothed, holding her close. “This one’s friendly. I promise.”

“Teddy...” Sami buried her face in his chest.

Embarrassed, Ted looked up at us. “Look, is it all right if I take her out of here? No disrespect, Lady Jasmine, but... she had a bad experience once...”

“Please,” Jasmine said magnanimously. “See to her needs.”

“Ted,” I said as I got up to help him take Sami out to the outer office. “You might want to tell me about this experience Sami had. I might be able to help her.”

As I shut the door, I heard the others speaking to Jasmine, and helped Ted carry Sami to the couch.

“Ah... I’d have to clear it with her first, Spenser. It’s not something she likes to talk about. Although — with... that...” he gestured in the direction of the office, “she might just be able to trust you.”

“I hope so,” I said with a worried eye toward Sami’s prone form on the couch. “It must have been a doozy for her to harbor something like that. While I have you here, Ted,” I went on. “What happened between the two of you? Did her experience have anything to do with the cause of the divorce? I mean when you first kept on about the marriage, the both of you seemed to be happy. The next thing I know, you’re divorced and no satisfactory reason was given.”

“The... ghost incident happened while we were married, yes,” Ted said slowly. “I... wasn’t there — things might have been better if I had, if I’d seen it for myself. She kept talking about it. I should have listened, but I had my own concerns — things weren’t exactly stable then, you remember. One day I lost my temper, yelled at her to shut up about her stupid ghost. She moved out the next day, filed the following week. I let it go through uncontested.”

“I guess that’ll teach you to listen and be more supportive in the future, no matter if you believe the person you love or not,” I said half in jest. “But that does help. Ted, go get me a wet cloth to put on her forehead. That usually helps calm the nerves. It might help bring her out of her faint as well. Or do you happen to have some smelling salts in your pocket?”

“I’m fine,” Sami said, sitting up. “Spenser — that was a ghost, wasn’t it? And — from what you’ve been saying... you know her. Right?”

“Actually, she’s a spirit,” I said easily. “And yes, I do know her. Her name is Jasmine.”

I then explained to them the difference between ghosts and spirits. I followed that up with how I met Jasmine and our relationship since then.

“Ted tells me you had a not so pleasant encounter yourself, Sami,” I said after I had finished my story. “Care to tell me about it? I might be able to help.”

Sami glanced at Ted, an unreadable expression on her face, before she began.

“I was on assignment. Ted and I had been married about six months, and I was beginning to taper off - we had talked about starting a family — but I had obligations to fulfill. I was body guarding a famous rock star. If you don’t mind, I won’t give his name. There had been death threats, and his manager hired me, more for peace of mind than anything else. As his ‘girlfriend’ I was expected to sleep in his room,” she said softly, not looking at Ted. “I didn’t sleep with him, of course – we ‘went to bed’ and I sat up in a chair, covering the door. I got my sleep when he was onstage, performing. I know I wasn’t getting enough sleep, but that was pretty well par for the course for those assignments. I planned on a marathon sleep session when I got through as I usually did. Anyway, when the young fan girl came walking through the door to the suite — without opening it first — I overreacted and opened fire. Fortunately, no one was on the other side of the closed door, so no one got hurt. But I was fired from the assignment. And the next day, the girl’s picture was in all the papers - she had tried to get in to see my assignment, had been turned away, and had overdosed at the venue. And I saw her ghost... spirit... about five minutes after she died...”

“Well she definitely wasn’t a malevolent spirit,” I said. “Some spirits will continue to do what they intended to do based on their last conscious thought before they pass on into the spirit world. It would appear this was the case for the young girl. It was just an innocent moment as her last clear, non-drug induced, conscious thought, which she carried out. Hell, the way I understood it until you cleared it up,” I concluded. “I figured a malevolent spirit had physically harmed you. However, the only real harm was a minor scar on your psyche. Something, I think, you’ll be able to get over in time. Provided, of course, you have someone around to help you get over it. I’d say it should be someone who cares for you, or you care for.”

I gave a pointed look at both Ted and Sami that clearly indicated my meaning.

“You obviously still care for Ted, Sami,” I said. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have called out to him. In addition, despite the gruff exterior, I believe Ted cares for you as well. I’d say you two should talk about this. In fact, I am saying it. So, I’ll leave you two to talk,” I said as I headed for my inner office, “while I go make sure Jasmine isn’t pulling any pranks on Robyn and Miles.”

I took a last glance at Ted and Sami just before I shut the door to my office. They had their heads together speaking softly. I couldn’t help a small smile that came to my face as Sami reached up and pulled Ted to her for a kiss that was long overdue.

Inside the office, Jasmine was calmly sitting on the edge of Corey’s desk. She was happily chattering away about some of the cases she and I had worked on together. Surprisingly enough, she was also playing a game of chess with Miles with the spare set I kept in my desk. From the looks of it, Jasmine would have Miles in checkmate in five moves.

Robyn was sitting on the arm of Miles’ chair talking with Jasmine. When she turned to me as I walked in, I saw a look of newfound respect and admiration in her eyes.

“Robert,” Jasmine said happily. “I’ve been keeping your friends occupied while you were out. How is the poor woman? Will she be alright?”

“Sami’ll be fine,” I replied. “She had a scare some time back when she and Ted were still married. It was nothing harmful. She just needed someone to talk it over with. She and Ted are out front talking right now,” I continued with a smile. “I think they’ll manage to patch things up quite nicely from the last glimpse I saw. I see you got Miles to play a game of chess with you,” I added. “How’re things going there, Miles?”

“She’s practically slaughtered me,” the man grunted as Robyn patted him soothingly on the shoulder. “If I had to make a guess, I’ll be checkmated in about ten moves. Unless, by some miracle, I can pull off at least a stalemate.”

“Try five moves,” I said. Then on impulse, just to tweak Jasmine’s nose, I followed up with, “King’s Knight three to King’s Rook five. That will get you your stalemate in two.”

“Traitor,” Jasmine said with wide eyes but no true heat in them.

Corey had just hung up her phone at that last.

“I just got a call from Anton,” she said to me with mild surprise in her voice. “Your cousin seems to work fast. Anton had just received the invitation.”

“Cousin William,” I said with a smile. “He does have influence. He can afford to, after all, pay the extra cash necessary to put a same day delivery out. I take it Anton is in the area. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten it so soon.”

“Yes,” my fiancée said with a smile. “He just got into London last night. He was at his home still when it arrived. He said he’d be happy to attend and promised to keep it under the radar.”

“Who’s this Cousin William you two are talking about,” Robyn asked.

“I’d like to know that as well,” Miles said looking up from the chessboard.

As predicted, Miles got his stalemate. He’d just finished setting up the board for another game with Jasmine.

“From the sound of it, Parker, you come from a family with a lot of money, although I never figured you to have relatives here in England. Your accent says you are from somewhere in the Southeast portion of the US.”

He glanced at me.

“No offense, Parker,” Miles added. “But you come off as a typical Yank and I don’t really like you former colonists that much.”

“Miles,” Robyn interjected as she slapped him on the shoulder. “Behave.”

“It’s okay, Robyn,” I said holding up a soothing hand. “Miles is being honest. I’d rather him be up front about it than hold back and leave me wondering. Not a lot of us Americans have been popular as of late, thanks to the actions of my government. I sometimes curse the day my homeland decided to take up the mantle as ‘World Policeman’. I also know that 9-11 will do little to change people’s minds about the US regardless of that terrible day. Add to that the attacks, not long after, the day the sixth floor had been damaged when that jet crashed into Corey’s office.”

“Yes,” Corey said with love in her eyes for me. “Had Robert not been there I would’ve remained at my post and died. He had to drag me out of there just moments before the plane hit.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask about that,” Miles asked as he made a move that would place his king in checkmate in two moves. “How did you manage to get her out of there in time?”

“Magic,” I said simply. “But you wanted to know about Cousin William, I believe.”

“William,” Jasmine interrupted proudly, “is also my great-great-grandson. You would know him as Lord William Howell Bixby, Earl of Flamstead and Maidstone. And yes, before you ask, the same Earl that plays better with boys than girls.”

“Well I’ll be a son-of-a-bitch,” I heard from behind me. “I always knew you had something in you, Spenser, that was more than you let on.”

“Come in Ted,” I said as I sat back down at my desk finally. “I didn’t find out about Cousin William, though, until I learned I’d be coming to London for my training.”

I didn’t miss Sami standing slightly behind Ted. Nor did I miss the fact they were holding hands. Sami was looking at Jasmine with wide-eyed wonder as she watched Miles and my ancestress playing chess.

“I just wanted to let you know that Sami and I are going to have another go at our relationship,” my old friend said with a quick smile toward her. “No plans for marriage, though. We are going to take our time and make sure we get it right this time. In case I forget Spenser, thank you,” he said with genuine gratitude, “for everything, from the both of us. I owe you one.”

“Anytime, old friend,” I replied in kind.

“Senior Director,” Ted said turning to Corey after a moment. “Would you mind if I took the rest of the day off?”

“Considering it’s a Friday,” Corey said mulling Ted’s question over. “You have the weekend off, anyway. I see no problem with it. You two have a lot of catching up to do,” she added with a smile. “I’ll see you bright and early Monday morning.”

By the time Corey finished, the office door was closed. Ted and Sami had already gone once she’d given her initial consent.

“Regardless of your pedigree,” Miles said. “That still doesn’t mean I have to like you, you know.”

“Miles!” all three women said at once.

“What?” Miles said innocently shocked. “What did I say?”

I just sat in my chair and laughed as tears came to my eyes from laughing so hard.

October 27, 2001:

Yesterday was quite eventful for Corey and me. The day was clear and crisp with the cold one would expect of an English Autumn. Everyone on the wedding committee worked with an excited anticipation for the scheduled festivities for later in the day. Everyone who was able to help, of course. Corey had granted a five-day liberty to the SPJ personnel who would attend the wedding. The liberty started on Thursday at noon.

Corey made sure that she had a clear schedule from noon on Thursday until Tuesday morning. Only the most pressing items filled up her morning schedule for the day within the office. The rest of it was taken up with last-minute wedding preparations, the wedding and the following reception on Friday and of course, the three-day honeymoon.

The previous night, both Corey and I had our respective traditional parties. Briony Mathers hosted for Corey’s bachelorette party at her Eaton Square home, and William was host to my bachelor party at the Flamstead Estate. William wanted to have the party at Maidstone, but saw, once it was explained to him, the need for those of us attending the party to be close to the church so we could get some decent sleep before we had to be at the wedding.

I arrived in Shrewsbury from Flamstead shortly after nine the morning of the big day, to be met at the door of the vicarage by both Marc and Melanie.

“She’s not here, lad.”

“Wha...”

“She got cold feet...,” Melanie said, suppressing strong emotion of some kind.

“That is not funny,” I growled. “She’s the one that set the date and made sure all the arrangements met with her approval. I didn’t invite people we could trust to interrupt their busy schedules to attend a secretly held wedding, only to be told the wedding was off because my fiancée got cold feet. I don’t even need to mention keeping her father out of the loop. Joe Ferguson nearly had an apoplexy keeping things quiet on his end since the day he received his invitation. Where is Corey,” I said heatedly. “I’ll go find her and drag her here to go through with the wedding whether she wants to or not. I don’t want our son to be born without his parents being legally married. As mule stubborn as she is, she’d probably delay until he was born. I won’t have that. Now where is she,” I said scowling.

“Whoa!!” Marc actually took a step back. “Look — I’m sorry. It was only a joke, believe me... Come in. Ceremony’s at two... No. She isn’t here, but nothing’s wrong, trust me. We have this old-fashioned custom that the groom doesn’t see the bride until they meet at the church, so Corey is... well, let me just say an undisclosed location, and leave it at that, OK? Your Miss Mathers is with her and promised to deliver her in good time.”

“I’m sorry,” I said nervously. “I know it was a joke. I’m keyed up, is all. I’ve been waiting for this day to come. Every day, I was afraid something would come up to prevent it. However, I kept it in, buried deep down, for Corey’s sake. She’s been through too many disappointments in her lifetime and I didn’t want her to see my dread. I purposely kept up a good face for her. I love her that much and more. If necessary, I’d... well suffice it to say, I love her enough to protect her with my life. Actually, I’m familiar with the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding. I hadn’t really expected to see her yet. And with her being with Briony Mathers, Corey is as safe with her as anyone else I could think of. So what now,” I asked as I followed Marc and Melanie.

“A stiff drink?” Marc said, sweating. “For me, at least. I never thought I’d see this day, either. Corey is... very dear to us. To the both of us.”

He led the way in to his private study and poured us each a glass of brandy. Melanie excused herself, ‘to see to the children’, as she tactfully put it.

“So. Any questions?” Marc asked, as I sat warming the brandy glass in my hands.

“I believe Corey and I mentioned we wanted to say our own vows,” I said. “I just need to be reminded where in the ceremony we will get to do this. You might want to give me a brief recap of what all I need to do.”

Yup, I was definitely nervous. I had completely forgotten exactly how the ceremony was going to be performed. In addition to my nervousness, I feared I would ruin the entire ceremony because of my nervousness. I was beginning to wish Corey and I had eloped.

“Is it too late for us to elope,” I asked not really meaning it.

At least I don’t think I meant it.

“Cold feet?” Marc said with a smile.

“Just afraid I’ll ruin the whole ceremony because I forgot something important to the ceremony,” I replied with my untouched drink still in my hand. “This wedding means a lot to the both of us and I don’t want anything to happen that will mar the memory of it. Does that make any sense?”

“I understand. Although sometimes it’s the less-than-perfect that makes for better memories, I’ve found. The kid born in the back seat of the car, for example, on the way to the hospital...”

He paused before continuing.

“So. Let’s go over the ceremony. I like to hold a rehearsal with the bride and groom together, but this will work. The guests will enter first. You and Drayton will come in from the side. I will enter from the other side. Then Corey will enter from the back. When she is standing beside you, I will start the ceremony by saying: ‘Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony...’”

Finally, the time for the wedding arrived.

All the guests arrived expectantly and full of happy excitement, dressed in their best. For the SPJ personnel that meant full-dress military, for the civilians, what most would call their Sunday best. Once Ted ushered in the last of the guests, Cousin William and Talbot, to their seats in the front row, he hurriedly took his seat beside Sami.

As if Ted sitting down was the signal, a harp version of Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” began to play.

Corey came down the aisle wearing a cream-colored suit, and hat with a small veil. On either side of her were Doc James and Nick Storm. Both had wanted to give her away and nearly came to blows because of it. Corey and I both decided, for the sake of harmony, to let them both have their way. Both men proudly had Corey on an arm, looking smart in their neatly pressed full-military dress uniforms. Corey’s attendants, Briony and Melanie, followed. Leading the party was Young David, carefully carrying a small box that had the ring Corey would place on my finger. Since only a select few knew of her existence, Jasmine opted to not make an appearance.

Drayton stood behind me, in his hands was the box containing the ring I would place on Corey’s finger. Unlike the rest of us, he was suffering from a mild hangover. I’ll not say exactly what he did the night before during the bachelor party. Suffice it to say, all those in attendance at the party were hard pressed to hold back a burst of laughter whenever they looked at him. Mercifully, he didn’t remember what he had done. Perhaps, someone will tell him, say for instance, when he is on his deathbed.

I stood at my place in front of Father Marc, watching my soon to be wife as she walked gracefully down the aisle toward me.

As if I were watching one of those screens that allowed you to see through it, my mind played back the first day I met Corey, and our walk by the lake in Uxbridge. Following that came each post card and letter I got from her. Our reunion in her new capacity as Senior Director. Rescuing her from her office just before the jet crashed into it. Our first night together in my apartment. These were just some of the memories that played back in my mind before Corey made it to my side.

Once by my side, Doc James and Nick both kissed her hand and took their places with the rest of the SPJ personnel. The smoothness of their movements seemed as if they had practiced the maneuver many times prior to the wedding.

The music ended as Corey and I, hand in hand, turned to face Father Marc, who wore a gentle smile for the both of us. He then began to speak to the congregation.

“Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. God established the bond and covenant of marriage in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people... The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God... Into this holy union Robert Bixby Parker and Corey Lloyd Reese, the Second now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else for ever hold your peace.”

After a brief pause with no one stating an objection, Father Marc turned his attention to Corey and me, as we faced each other, still holding hands.

“I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if both of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God’s Word, you do now confess it.”

When neither of us said anything, he turned to Corey.

“Corey Lloyd Reese, the Second, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”

“I will,” she said as she looked at me with all the love she had in her.

“Robert Bixby Parker,” Father Marc said to me, “will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”

“I will,” I said just as lovingly as Corey did.

“Let us pray,” Father Marc said.

“O gracious and ever living God, you have created us male and female in your image: Look mercifully upon this man and this woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.”

I then took Corey’s right hand in mine saying, “In the Name of God, I, Robert Bixby Parker, take you, Corey Lloyd Reese, the Second, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

Corey then took my right hand in hers saying, “In the Name of God, I, Corey Lloyd Reese, the Second, take you, Robert Bixby Parker, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

After we said these vows, we were each given the wedding rings by our respective ring bearers. Both rings were simple gold bands. Inscribed on the inside of the ring I would give Corey was, “To my Acushla, Corey. Always and Forever, Robert”. Acushla is Irish for “beat of my heart”, most commonly used as a term of endearment meaning darling.

At Father Marc’s nod, I took Corey’s left hand and placed the ring on her ring finger.

Once the ring was on, still holding her hand in mine, I lovingly said, “My darling and loving Corey, words cannot express just how much you have filled my life with your love. Nor can they express how good it feels when I hold you in my arms. Nor can I truly express how much you move me every time I see your beautiful face or each time you say my name. Your love has brought a change in my life; each day I’m amazed by how much joy you bring me... The longer I’m with you, the deeper in love I fall. You’ve lit a fire in me that keeps burning. You move me that much, my darling one. It’s that easy for me to love you, for a million years and beyond... So, this I do promise. I, Robert Bixby Parker, do promise to always love, honor and cherish you. I promise I will love you after the last moon rises; you’ll always see the love in my eyes no matter what happens. I promise I’ll still love you when the sun burns its last, until every ocean is dry and every mountain has become a valley. When the wind no longer whispers my name in your ears or yours in mine, I promise to love you still. When this day becomes nothing more than a memory to all present, I’ll still be loving you... This I, Robert Bixby Parker, do promise to you, Corey Lloyd Reese, the Second, before Him, who watches over us and before all those present who have come to witness our union in marriage.”

Okay, for those of you who are Country music fans, I admit it. I borrowed from the lyrics of my two favorite Country love songs, “I’ll Still Be Loving You” by Restless Heart and “You’ve Got the Touch” by Alabama. I spent a good ten years of my growing up years in an area where Country music was predominant and I had always liked these two groups. Even though I really don’t have Country music in my top genre of preference, these two songs moved me enough to remember them and add them to my favorite songs list, and subsequently to become part of my wedding vow to Corey.

“Corey,” I continued, “I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

By the time I was finished, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place, including my own. As with the day I proposed to Corey, I had put forth all the love I had for her with each word, letting everyone know exactly how much I loved this woman.

Then it was Corey’s turn.

“Robert,” she said smiling at me. “Words cannot tell the depth and height of my love for you. Once before I loved, but I see now that was mere prelude, a dress rehearsal for the real thing.”

She lifted my left hand to her lips and kissed it gently before sliding the ring onto my ring finger.

“’Ah, my Belovéd, fill the Cup that clears,

“’Today of Past Regrets and future Fears,

“’Tomorrow? Why, tomorrow I may be

“’Myself with Yesterday’s Sev’n Thousand Years.

“’A Book of Verse beneath the Bough,

“’A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread, and Thou

“’Beside me, singing in the Wilderness —

“‘Ah! Wilderness were Paradise Enou.’

“With you, shade is sunshine, and sunshine is shade. With you, all happiness and joy, without you, darkness, sorrow.

“With you I am complete, as I have never been complete before. Thank you for that.

“And so, this is my Promise to you:

“No Matter What.

“No matter what, I will be there for you. No matter what, I will support you. No matter what, I will comfort you.

“I may doubt you — I am human. But, no matter what, I will always listen to what you have to say, and will always judge fairly. And if I cannot, I will bring the matter to someone we both trust, to listen, and to advise.

“And I will always listen to any advice you have to give me. I cannot promise to take it — but, no matter what, I will listen to you, my jester, my lover, my confidante, my husband — but most of all, my friend.

“And this I do most solemnly vow and promise to you, Robert Bixby Parker, in the sight of God and this Congregation.”

I recognized the verses Corey had quoted. It was from Edward Fitzgerald’s “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyám — Fifth edition”. Specifically, quatrains 21 and 12, respectively. The Rubaiyat is a collection of poems, originally written in the Persian language and of which there are about a thousand, attributed to the Persian mathematician and astronomer Omar Khayyám. “Rubaiyat”, derived from the Arabic root word for four, means “quatrains”: verses of four lines.

Once Corey finished, Father Marc joined my right hand to Corey’s and said, “Now that Robert and Corey have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit... Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.”

Father Marc then broke from what he and I went over in his study, by saying with a grin, “Robert, I know you want to do this. So please, kiss your bride already.”

He didn’t have to tell me twice.

Once we had finished our first kiss as a married couple, Father Marc, once again broke from his normal ceremony and turned us toward the congregation.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said with apparent joy in his voice, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bixby Parker. May God bless and preserve their union.”

As Corey and I made our way arm-in-arm down the aisle, we were overwhelmed by congratulations by everyone in attendance. In the background, Bartholdi’s version of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” followed us all the way out of the church where our limo, provided by Cousin William, awaited us.

The reception was being held back in London, at Miss Mathers’ house. Marc, Melanie and the children were coming, as were the rest of the guests in limos provided by my cousin.

As we got into the limo, Corey slid across the seat, to look out the further window. I noticed she had one hand protectively on her belly.

“Corey...,” I began.

She turned to me and smiled brilliantly. “A new beginning, Robert. For both of us.”

I smiled a little tentatively. Then, as the car started, she slid across the seat to me, and nestled against me, face up to be kissed.

Let’s just say that the two-and-a-half-hour ride was not wasted.

The guests were waiting for us as we arrived at the house. The car pulled to a smooth halt, and the chauffeur got out and opened the door for us.

Corey... My Wife... exited the limousine as if it was something she had been accustomed to doing her entire life.

Come to think of it, as Wing Commander and Director, SPJ, she probably was accustomed to it.

Inside, Roberts, still in his wedding ceremony suit, was ushering the guests to the patio after taking everyone’s coats. Well, he was until Briony ordered him to stop what he was doing and let the other footmen take care of it and enjoy the reception. To his credit, Roberts hesitated, torn between doing his duty as a butler and obeying Briony’s latest order.

Ricky made the decision for him. He took the coats from Roberts and gave them to a waiting footman. Ricky then took a near indignant Roberts by the arm, took him to the patio bar, and ordered a drink for the both of them.

In the background, a near full orchestra, complete with a lead vocalist and backup singers, was playing a variety of music suitable for a celebratory gathering. I later discovered William had provided the musicians, the food, and the staff. From the looks of it, Roberts’ hand was clearly apparent in the way the staff performed their tasks.

At one point, when the orchestra had finished playing Patsy Cline’s “Crazy”, Nick got up to the microphone. When he had everyone’s attention, he motioned to Roberts, who left the room, and began to speak.

“As most of you know, one of our guests of honor, Robert Parker, comes from a line of one of the UK’s nobility, specifically, from the Earldoms of Flamstead and Maidstone. He didn’t realize, until he arrived in London close to a year and a half ago, that he still had a living cousin of that line in the form of Lord William Howell Bixby, current Earl of Maidstone and Flamstead, who is here with us today.”

Nick paused as a round of applause was given for Cousin William, who graciously stood and bowed to everyone in thanks.

“Due to both of their schedules,” Nick continued when the applause died down. “Due to both of their schedules, neither of them was able to meet the other until last month. Their joyous reunion of their family branches was dimmed only because neither had the actual proof of Robert’s familial ties to Lord William. Lord William is un...” he hesitated, as he looked at my cousin, uneasy to finish. “Lord William, may I have your permission to continue with what I was about to say?”

“Thank you, for your courtesy Commander,” Lord William said in a clear, crisp voice as he stood. “Please, permit me to finish for you. What Commander Storm was hesitant to say,” Lord William began as he turned to everyone. “I, as most of you know, do not hide my choice of partners. Therefore, I do not have any legal heirs to pass my titles on to when I die. Perhaps, before that day comes, Cousin Robert will have the legal proof required for him to inherit that, which is rightfully his to inherit. If no proof can be found after my death, then I shall be the last of the line to hold the titles.”

As Cousin William sat down beside me, I could see the sadness in his eyes, even though he made a stoic attempt to hide it. Corey and I both reached out to him offering him a comforting word.

Just then, a smugly smiling Roberts came to our table and handed me a carefully wrapped package with a whispered, “For you, lad. Congratulations.”

I looked at Roberts for a moment, utterly confused. As far as I knew, Corey and I had already opened all the wedding gifts earlier. Roberts’ gift consisted of four bottles of two-hundred-year-old Scotch, four bottles of Amaretto, a decanter for each of us, and a full set of bar glasses. At my confused look, he motioned me to continue listening to Nick before returning to his place beside Briony.

“Robert,” Nick continued with a smile and a gleam in his eye, “made mention to me, just before he met his cousin that he wanted to have proof of his pedigree in relation to Lord William. So, I called in some favors with some genealogists I knew within the SPJ Historical Department and came up with that package for him.”

Apparently, my jaw had dropped open by this time, because Nick’s smile grew even wider.

“Well go on, Parker,” he said practically bouncing on his toes. “Open it up. And that’s an order, my friend.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. While a round of enthusiastic applause and congratulations rang in my ears, I tore off the wrapping and inside was a very thick leather-bound book titled The Bixby-Parker Family Tree as of October 26, 2001. Inside was the genealogy of William’s family and mine. It came complete with certified copies of marriage records, birth certificates, and death certificates of every member of Sir Roger Bixby’s line. Corey and I noticed, to our delight, our marriage and her family lineage had been added as well.

While I was busy showing the book to William and Corey, Nick continued to speak.

“I took the liberty of forwarding copies of your genealogy to various genealogical societies world-wide, the British National Archives, Debrett’s Publications, and a few other notable publications. You’ll find your lineage goes at least as far back as William the Conqueror and includes various lines connecting you to the Sureties of the Magna Carta and others who were present at Runnymede. Lord William, you will find similar copies waiting for you at both of your estates,” Nick finished with a smile. “I’ve also made sure a hard copy is in the SPJ Library and within our records department should the need ever arise. Father Marc, your family will also find a copy waiting for you when you get back to Shrewsbury.”

Nick came by my side and clapped a hand on my shoulder and William’s, who by this time was weeping unashamedly with joy and relief. I was hard pressed to hold back my own tears as I thanked Nick. Corey turned me to her, and with shining eyes kissed me tenderly on the lips.

Not long after, when the band had finished one of their songs, I left the table and spoke briefly with the conductor for a moment. Luckily, the orchestra knew the song I had in mind.

“Ladies and Gentleman, may I have your attention please?” I said. “I want to thank you all for coming here to continue the celebration of mine and Corey’s wedding. It fills me with great joy to see such wonderful friends and family here to be a part of this happy occasion.”

“Corey,” I said as I looked at her lovingly, “I know I can never truly express how much I truly love you. However, I think the following will help in that regard.”

I then indicated for the conductor to begin and at the right moment, I began to sing clearly in my low tenor voice:

“’Never knew I could feel like this...’”

The song was from the movie “Moulin Rouge”, which had come out earlier in the year. It was called “Come What May”, sung by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. In my opinion, it was the best song of the entire film.

As the applause was dying down when I finished, I went back to my wife and was about to give her another of the many kisses I had been giving her throughout the reception, when a loud commotion suddenly erupted from inside the house.

“... I don’t care whose house this is,” a familiar voice shouted as he came out to the patio. “Nor do I care about invitations, or the lack thereof. I intend to put a stop to this nonsense right now and thrash that upstart, take my daughter out of here, and make sure she marries someone I see fit. Even if I have to drag my brother at gunpoint to marry them...”

Air Vice-Marshal Reese stopped suddenly in his tracks as he faced a dozen or more types of various firearms pointed in his direction. A distinctive click of guns ready to fire was noticeably apparent in the dead silence.

British firearms laws be damned, was everyone carrying? Come to think of it, was I the only one here not able to protect Corey?

Beside me, Corey stood. “No matter what,” she murmured, and calmly walked forward. Again, I saw that uncanny change from loving wife to senior officer.

“Stand down.”

Weapons vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

She walked up to the Air Vice-Marshal and stood, nose to nose. “Miss Mathers.”

“Yes, my dear?”

“This is your house. Do you wish to deal with this...?”

“Carry on, Director.”

“Thank you,” my wife said turning to the AVM. Well, Father, once again you have succeeded in embarrassing me in front of my friends. It would seem you have made a career of being obnoxious about and around me. It would also seem to be a far more successful career than any other you have had. It was bad enough that you crashed my graduation from the Cheltenham School. I felt that straight A’s was perfectly adequate — but no. You thought I had to have Honors. It was worse when you showed up — uninvited — when I graduated from IOT. I had the Honors then — But you thought I should have been First in the class. What you didn’t know is that I was — and I had deliberately given the place up to a younger man who needed the position far more than I ever would. But this... this, Father, absolutely takes the cake.”

“Now you listen to me, young lady! I am still your father, and...”

“Silence! Attention!”

Reflexively, half the people on the patio — myself included — snapped to.

“That... is better.” Reese — Corey — started pacing, prowling. “Well, now. What is it that you want from me? To bring credit to the family? I think my service in the RAF has done that. And being picked to head SPJ — well, an unlooked-for promotion, but a job I am enjoying, and will be good at, given time. To marry well. I think I have done that, too. I have married the man I love, and who loves me. And I married him for love, not for what his position could give me, just as — once — you married Mother. To give you grandchildren. Well, that project is under way, as well.”

The AVM’s head turned towards her, and his face split in a delighted grin. Then, catching the cold look on her face, he came to attention again.

“Corey... Ma’am.”

“Yes. I outrank you, now. And it is time you remembered that. We will never be friends, Air Vice-Marshal. We are too much alike. Yes, I can see that. In one respect, your efforts to raise me in your image succeeded — far too well. We can never be friends. But we can be colleagues, equals. I recognize that you have a great deal of experience that I do not have, and I am willing to listen to your advice, if you are willing to share it with me. Note I said ‘share’, not ‘impose’. There is a difference. So...”

She came to a halt in front of him, and looked him full in the face, eyes narrowed.

“If you are willing to remember your place...”

I saw him wince at that.

“I am willing to tolerate your presence.”

My Father-in-law’s eyes closed in obvious pain.

“If you... choose to misbehave...”

“Corey, please...,” his voice was hoarse, suddenly. And I suddenly realized that Marc, too, was reacting to Corey’s words.

She stopped. The world held its breath.

“Ambrose.”

“You are... so much like him...” the AVM whispered.

“Your doing as well.”

“Yes...”

“We are... who... and what... we came from. In making me over in your image, you have recreated your worst nightmare,” she said quietly.

He nodded.

She took a deep breath. “Father.”

His eyes opened. “Yes?”

“I am willing to try again, if you are. I am willing to welcome you here, today, on what is supposed to be a joyous occasion, a time to celebrate with family and friends, not a time to relive the agonies of the past. I am willing to forgive and forget. Truly forget, Father. Go back to the happy times — there were happy times.”

“I had a little girl, once,” the AVM said in remembrance. “I loved her, dearly. Then the doctors told me my wife could never give me the son I wanted to carry on the family name, and I lost sight of what I had in my... my yearning for what I could never have,” he said quietly, head bowed.

“I carry your grandson. Your line has not ended, Father, although the name has changed. And Uncle Marc has three sons as well, so the name of Reese has not ended, either.”

Marc came over, at that. “Melanie and I are expecting again, as well. A boy — we would like to name him Corey. It is a good name, and one we will be proud to give our son. After all, I remember you growing up — both of you.”

He smiled.

“Then,” my wife said holding her hand out to me, “I should like to introduce you... officially... to your new Son-in-Law. Robert?”

Seeing as they had stopped presenting a military bearing, I relaxed and joined my wife’s side.

“Sir,” I said smiling as I held out my hand in greeting. “I’m Robert Bixby Parker, your new Son-in-Law. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, officially. Corey has told me a lot about you.”

“I’m sure,” the AVM said regarding my uniform and rank, “what my daughter said about me was not very kind. Though I don’t blame her, I treated her too harshly over the years. Lieutenant Colonel,” he mused stubbornly. “I never figured my daughter to fall in love, let alone marry, someone not equal in rank to her.”

“Sir,” I began before Corey could say anything.

“I think I can be of service here, Robert,” Cousin William said from beside me suddenly. “If I recall,” he continued smoothly. “Within military ranks, the Senior Director outranks the Lieutenant Colonel. However, in civilian circles, Robert outranks your daughter.”

William then produced from behind his back, Nick’s gift, and held it out expectantly to Corey’s father.

“Lord Bixby,” the startled AVM said as he carefully took the proffered book as if it were an agitated cottonmouth. “Forgive me, Sir, I had not realized you were standing there.”

“Inside that book,” the Earl said dismissing the other man’s apology. “You’ll find Robert’s pedigree and mine. All records included are certified. As you will see, Robert is my distant cousin and my heir. When I pass from this mortal coil, Robert will become, as my heir, the next Earl of Flamstead and Maidstone, with all rights and privileges entitled to him. Please, Air Vice-Marshal. Open the book and see for yourself if you doubt my word.”

The AVM, with shaky hands, carefully opened the book, a skeptical scowl on his face. The scowl changed to incomprehension, at first, as he began to read. Soon, his eyebrows rose steadily higher in amazement as he continued to read. Finally, he carefully closed the book and offered it to me, with a mixture of awe and humble respect on his face.

“I seem to recall,” the older man said to me as I took the book, “learning about a Sir Roger Bixby, who was an unsung early pioneer of British flight, during my initial training with the RAF. Is the Sir Roger Bixby in that book the same as the one I’m familiar with?”

“Yes sir, he is,” I said as I proudly stood to my full height. “Sir Roger was my great-great-grandfather.”

“A noble line indeed, Lord Parker,” Reese said, nodding his head thoughtfully as he assumed a formal stance. “As Heir Apparent to Lord Bixby, you have the right to be called Lord Parker.”

“Please, Sir,” I said looking around in embarrassment. “No need to be formal on such an informal occasion. Call me Robert or... Son... if you wish. In a more formal setting, I believe my military rank will suffice, until the day I inherit the Earldoms. Which, I might add, I hope will be a long time in coming. The Earl and I have a lot of catching up to do yet.”

I then re-extended my hand out to my Father-in-law.

He couldn’t refuse. With everyone looking on, he took my hand and shook it firmly.

“Well. Well, er, Robert.”

“Father,” Corey said softly.

“Yes?”

“We will have some catching up to do — when we get back. I promise I will make time for you. And Mother.”

“Yes.”

“Air Vice-Marshal,” Miss Mathers said. “Perhaps you would care for a drink? To toast the happy couple, of course. Before they leave.”

“Leave? Oh...,” he cleared his throat in embarrassment.

As if a signal had been sent to the orchestra, they began playing Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World”.

The AVM excused himself as soon as protocol allowed, stating pressing matters that had been held off for far too long. Just before he left, he finally noticed a red-faced Joe Ferguson, who had managed to keep a very low profile until then, when Reese had first made his sudden appearance.

It seems our young Aide-de-camp had made a notation on his desk calendar marking out the times and locations of the wedding and reception. The AVM happened to see the open calendar while the wedding ceremony was going on and had traveled all the way to Shrewsbury, intending to make his objections known. The AVM had arrived well after the reception had begun and followed the next logical course. Due to the circumstances, the AVM gracefully forgave Ferguson and allowed him to have the remainder of the weekend off.

Not long after, with the toasts all finished and many well wishes and congratulations, Corey and I set out for our honeymoon in the guesthouse of the Maidstone estate, courtesy of Cousin William. We have been here since our arrival late last night and will remain until we have to report back to work on Tuesday.

As I write this entry, I find that everything since yesterday morning has a surreal quality to it, currently. I feel as if I’ll wake up and find myself back in my old smaller, two-bedroom apartment still a bachelor; Corey is elsewhere on permanent assignment to Gibraltar. Yet, the wedding ring I now wear belies this feeling, happily.

I just glanced at my beautiful wife’s slumbering form. She sleeps the sleep of the just, as I sit here with a glass of warm milk writing in my journal.

Jasmine, I should add, prudently agreed to not make an appearance at the reception last night. Nor has she made an appearance since our arrival here in Maidstone though she did accompany us in the limo from London. I purposely took off my necklace once Corey and I arrived. I’m sure my ancestress will forgive my need for privacy.

All seems right with the world. Corey and I are husband and wife, expecting our first child. Marc and Melanie are happily anticipating the birth of their new son. Joe Ferguson, much to his and Corey’s relief, no longer needs to worry about the AVM setting him up with my wife. The AVM and Corey have made a fine start in reconciliation. Ted and Sami seem to be getting along better now that they’ve patched things up. Miles is still his grumpy self around me, but not as much over the past month; Robyn’s influence, I think has seen to that. Thanks to Nick’s gift, William has his heir.

As I said, at the risk of being redundant, all seems right with the world.