Love Metamorphosis

Chapter 21

                  

"Was it really necessary for me to dress up so much?" Mary said, looking from Jemma to Eric.

"It is your birthday, you could have worn whatever you liked," Eric said, "But you asked us to dress up for an expensive dinner so I thought you should do the same."

Mary swiveled around in the passenger's seat to look at Jemma, "You look lovely dear, did Eric make you dress up too?"

"He can be such a tyrant," Jemma said wrinkling her nose, "Though he is paying for dinner so the least I can do is look nice."

"Here we are, ladies," Eric said pulling onto the curb as a valet came out and opened the door for Mary.

Eric was up and out of the car and opening the door to help her out. Their fingers touched as he helped her out of the car, and a comfortable warmness passed between them. The chill of the February day blew a frigid wind and she pulled her hand free to stick them into her coat pockets.

"Thank you," Jemma said. Then he closed the door and walked her around the pass the keys to the valet.

"My pleasure," he said coming around to offer his arm to Mary, "Shall we?"

"You are such a dear," Mary said patting his arm after she took it, a very pleased smile on her face.

The warmth of the restaurant made Jemma's nose turn red and her cheeks burn as she approached the seating podium. "McManis." She informed him.

"Follow me." He said, picking up three menus.

They were walked toward the back where everyone was already waiting for them. Everyone said surprise, and Mary gave a great shocked sound. Everyone was laughing and wishing her happy birthday, coming forward to give her hugs.

Jemma felt the warmth of the room and knew that everything was exactly as they should be. Mary took a seat at the head of the table, talking with her best friend and Jemma took her seat relieved everything had gone so well.

"Really Bonnie, you didn't give the idea for the Raggedy Ann party? Where are you Eric? I know it must have been you." She said and gave her grandson a kiss on his cheek before he took his seat to her left.

"Ms. Turner was the true party planner," Eric said meeting her gaze, "I couldn't have done half as well without her help."

"He supplied all of the brilliant ideas I just made them happen." Jemma retorted, forcing herself to look away from his intensely grateful stare. "It was all of you coming that will make this a memorable night."

Eric picked up his glass of wine, "To Mary."

Everyone agreed and so the party started. It proceeded well and before she knew it, hours had passed. Many had to excuse themselves soon after the dessert was eaten, and the presents were opened. However, a good handful stayed to talk and enjoy each other's company. Jemma ended up moving over to sit one seat over from Eric, with an old coworker of Mary's sitting between them.

Jemma was excited to hear stories about Mary when she was still a nurse, and Lydia supplied them. Lydia said how she had been taken under Mary's wing and without her guidance she could never have been so successful. She was head nurse over at one of the largest hospitals in New Jersey and proud to have been able to take a night off to attend Mary's 75th birthday party.

After two glasses of water and three glasses of wine over a 3 hour period Jemma finally had to use the restroom. Eric continued to speak with Lydia even after Jemma excused herself and she hurried because she didn't want to miss too much. After a few steps she heard Mary call to wait because she would join her.

They walked in quiet harmony as they left the room, before Mary said, "You have become part of the family now, attending this old woman's birthday."

"I am hardly part of the family," Jemma laughed at the idea, "I only know the two of you, and from your picture books you have ten times as much family."

They entered the bathroom but Mary wasn't done, "You are very dear to us Jemma, I hope you know that."

"As you are dear to me." Jemma said leaning over to give Mary a kiss on her cheek.

"Plus you will be meeting Eric's sister and his goddaughter. Their family is taking a trip up from Florida to visit me in April, you will be able to meet them then." Mary informed her going into a stall.

Jemma waited a moment before saying, "When in April?"

"April 19th they should be here." Mary responded.

"I will be in Arizona with my brother in April, on the 15th. He called to invite me because he has something important to speak with me about." Jemma said a little sad as she walked into her own stall, "Perhaps I will make it back before they leave."

"That would be nice dear." Mary responded and Jemma silently agreed.

b!%xփȴ