The Marriage of Nathan West

The Reception Line

Once the bridal party had cleared the room, Nathan and Maxie joined the reception line. Maxie could see several people edge closer to them, their curiosity plainly showing on their faces. The woman who stared at him through the ceremony made a beeline for Nathan only to be cut off by a group of senior citizens. Nathan purposely steered them between two elderly couples in the line to dodge her and anyone else he wanted to avoid. The bride's parents were first in line and Cassie Kirkland lit up at the sight of Nathan. She was an attractive middle aged woman with a shoulder length auburn bob and an infectious smile.

"James! No, I'm sorry, it's Nathan now. That is going to take some getting used to," she said taking his hand. "How sweet of you to come! And who is your guest?"

Nathan placed his hand protectively on Maxie's back. "Cassie Kirkland, Maxie Jones."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Maxie said offering her hand.

Cassie glanced from Maxie to Nathan with a wide smile. She took Maxie's hand, shaking it firmly. "You must be the young lady Nathan was so desperate to see last New Year's. How lovely that it appears to be working out for the both of you."

"Thanks again for your help," Nathan began but she waved off Nathan's thanks with the flip of her hand.

"It was my pleasure." She reached out and squeezed Nathan and Maxie's hands. "I'm thrilled you're both here to celebrate with us. We will have more time to catch up and get to know each other after dinner."

"I wish we could," Nathan said. "But we won't be able to stay."

"We haven't seen you since you left the city. Of course you'll stay," Cassie returned with a firm smile. "I won't take no for an answer." She smiled again effectively ending the conversation and turned her attention to the older couple behind them.

They shifted down the line to the bride and groom. Alicia Kirkland was a carbon copy of her mother, tall and willowy with auburn hair and wide set brown eyes which widened in surprise at the sight of Nathan. She covered her surprise and smoothed her expression to a blank smile. She nudged the groom and nodded to where Nathan and Maxie stood waiting to offer them congratulations.

"Jay? Oh man, I wasn't sure you'd get the invitation. Thanks for coming!" Eric Holt shook Nathan's hand and leaned in for a half hug.

"Almost didn't get it. Showed up this week. Congratulations to you both." He introduced Maxie to them, adding, "We're both very happy for you."

"Well, we're so happy to see you again, James," Alicia said in a polite tone. She looked over to Maxie, flicking an appraising look at her. "How sweet of you to bring your new girlfriend along." Alicia turned to Maxie, smiling blandly. "James has been gone so long from our circle, we haven't really kept up. After he moved upstate, he might as well have moved to China! You can imagine our surprise when his RSVP turned up at the last minute!"

"Must have been quite a shock," Maxie replied with an innocent smile.

"Port Charles isn't exactly the middle of nowhere," Nathan said.

"It isn't?" Alicia responded with a raised eyebrow. She turned back to Maxie and added, "He's a completely different person too! Goes by a new name, has a new family, and a new girlfriend.You must be dying to get to know all about his old life here. I need to introduce you to all his old friends. I'm sure all the old gang will love to meet you too. You are staying for the reception aren't you?"

Nathan hesitated, looking at Maxie who was watching Alicia with a narrow gaze. He should have given her more of a warning where Alicia was concerned. "Well, I don't think-"

"Yes," Maxie interrupted. "We're staying."

"Wonderful, can't wait."

"Me either." Maxie smiled, tilting her head sweetly before pulling Nathan away from the receiving line.They stopped just outside the ballroom, Nathan pulling Maxie back just as she reached for the door.

"What are you doing? I thought we decided we weren't going to the reception."

"You decided, Nathan. I want to stay. The bride wants us to stay." Maxie turned for the door but Nathan steered her away from it and into a private corner.She pulled her elbow free and spun on him. "Nathan, what is the matter with you?"

"Me? What is the matter with you? You know I didn't want to stay for the reception."

"Yeah, why is that? Everyone here seems really interested in seeing you again."

No," Nathan replied. "They want to gossip about Madeline and Nina and everything that's happened in the last year and a half."

Maxie took one of his hands in hers and smiled up at him. "I saw the way everyone in there looked at you. James Reeves is kind of a rock star. You're something special here and I'm dying of curiosity."

"I'm not special in Port Charles?"

"Of course you are, but there you're my Nathan. Here," she nodded back at the ballroom. "Here, you're someone I've never met. You run into my past every day in Port Charles, but you never really talk about your life before. Let me meet that person, please?"

Nathan sighed. "Are you sure you're up to it? Alicia was tame compared to some of the people you might meet."

"I can handle it. Don't worry about me."

She gave him a pleading look that made him laugh. "How can I say no to that face? Fine but don't say I didn't warn you."

"Consider me warned. Come on James, let's go give them something to talk about."